Cameron Bryn – Staff Writer Rating: 3.5 Stars The newest Smashing Pumpkins album Oceania is a crossroads of old and new. Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar, keyboards and production), Jeff Schroeder (guitar), Nicole Fiorentino (bass guitar), and Mike Byrne (drums) have revived some of the Smashing Pumpkins‘ previous grunge sound, but have added elements of new electronic synth-like
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“Rhythm and Repose” by Glen Hansard
Josie Javens − Staff Writer Rating: 3.5 stars Irish singer/songwriter Glen Hansard‘s first solo album “Rhythm and Repose” is a beautiful, achingly beautiful, collection of melancholic songs punctuated by moments of hope.
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“Make Me Believe in Hope” by Bright Light Bright Light
Nina Rajagopalan, Staff Writer Rating: 2.5 Stars Bright Light Bright Light takes listeners on a ride through a sky shot through with blue and purple disco lights, and cascades of glitter that fall like rain. Make Me Believe in Hope is Welsh producer/songwriter/remixer Rod Thomas’ debut release under the name Bright Light Bright Light.
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“There’s No Leaving Now” by The Tallest Man on Earth
Edwin Arnaudin – Staff Writer Rating: 4.5 stars When Bob Dylan went electric on Bringing It All Back Home, lively band-backed tracks like “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and “Maggie’s Farm” marked a dramatic shift for an artist known for straightforward acoustic folk. The move polarized his fans, but wasn’t as stark as many made it out
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“Port of Morrow” by The Shins
Edwin Arnaudin – Staff Writer Rating: 5 Stars Absence apparently does make the heart grow fonder. Five years after the stiff and snoozy Wincing the Night Away, a new-look Shins returns with Port of Morrow, quite possibly their best album to date. Energized from his Broken Bells collaboration with Danger Mouse, lead singer/mastermind James Mercer
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“The Only Place” by Best Coast
Kieran Anderson – Staff Writer Rating: 4 1/2 stars ” I want babies to be created to this music. I want people to have their yoghurt while listening to this record. ” said Best Coast frontwoman Bethany Cosentino in a recent interview with The Guardian. Bethany just might get her wish. After listening to The
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“Anarchy, My Dear” by Say Anything
by Auburn Petty – Editor-in-Chief Rating: 5 Stars I was really nervous to listen to the new Say Anything album because their last release, Say Anything, is one of my favorite albums. I seriously love every single song on their self-titled album, so I was a little worried that I would be disappointed with Anarchy,
“Born to Die” by Lana Del Rey
Edwin Arnaudin – Staff Writer In mid-January, Lake Placid, NY native Lana Del Rey became the first artist since Natalie Imbruglia in 1998 to play “Saturday Night Live” before releasing her first major-label LP. Born to Die is that album and follows a pair of EPs, including 2008’s Kill Kill, released under her birth name,
“Voyageur” by Kathleen Edwards
Edwin Arnaudin – Staff Writer Canadian singer/songwriter Kathleen Edwards teams with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon on her latest album in hopes of boosting her brand of Americana. Voyageur is Edwards’ fourth studio album, following Failer (2003), Back To Me (2005), and Asking For Flowers (2008). Rating: 2 Stars
“Rich Forever” by Rick Ross
Nina Rajagopalan -Staff Writer Rick Ross is a Miami rapper who’s repertoire includes epic and irresistible tracks such as “I’m A Boss” and “Hustlin.’” He’s assembled an all-star line up for this mixtape which marks his fifth solo release. Ross raps about how awesomely rich he is while the likes of Nas, Drake, and Wale contribute