The Liars are what one might call a polarizing band, even by the standards of Indie Noise Rockers. They eventually managed to garner a measure of critical acclaim, but it's worth noting that their debut album received absolutely blistering reviews … [Continue reading]
“This Music” by Nine Days
When I described Nine Days as an otherwise terrible band who miraculously managed to create one classic song, I was incorrect, and I apologize. But in my defense, that seemed like a natural conclusion when all I had heard was the rest of their … [Continue reading]
Frozen
I missed the chance to review this movie when it was fresh on people's mind and still a cultural sensation, but in a way I'm glad I waited a few years. After all, the immense amount of acclaim it received on its release has by now encouraged the … [Continue reading]
Fela!
Now this is the show that should have won the 2010 Best Musical Tony. The show tells the true-life story of Nigerian musician and revolutionary Fela Kuti, one of the most fascinating figures in all of music. It's technically a Jukebox musical, but … [Continue reading]
“Shiny Happy People” by R.E.M.
R.E.M. were one of the classiest and most sophisticated of the alt-rock bands of the Eighties and early Nineties, known for their tuneful jangle-pop and poetic, introspective, and frequently surreal lyrics, and at the time this song was released they … [Continue reading]
“An Honest Mistake” by The Bravery
Apart from a few exceptions like the White Stripes and Arcade Fire, the New Wave Revival wing of 2000s Indie Rock tended to be regarded with suspicion at the best of times. Indeed, most Indie snobs at the time would not have acknowledged its most … [Continue reading]
“Girl You Know It’s True” by Milli Vanilli
Before we start, I'm not even going to go into the famous scandal that wrecked this band's career. For one thing, everyone reading this already knows about it, and for another, no matter who was really singing on those records, it doesn't change the … [Continue reading]
“4AM” by aTellucine
This Industrial/Noise Music outfit is mostly known for being co-founded by Sasha Grey, a porn star turned actress who seems to be mostly famous because of her willingness to do just about anything on camera if the money's good. But given that this is … [Continue reading]