After four long years, the FIFA 2010 World Cup finally arrived in June.  This is a magical time that galvanizes 31 countries for at least 2 weeks, and one nation for 4 years.  With so much on the line, the tension runs high and so do the expectations.  As with any World Cup, there are many talking points associated with the tournament currently playing out in South Africa.  For example: Continue Reading

JUNE 2010

1. Hey Champ | (We Are) Champions (feat. Cool Kids)
2. The Knux | Cappuccino
3. M.I.A. | XXXO
4. Sleigh Bells | Rill Rill
5. Stars | We Don’t Want Your Body Continue Reading

What starts out as a southern-friend ramble ends up the rollicking cousin to The Rolling Stones “Sympathy for the Devil.”  Each features an extended segment of searing guitar solo and raucous honky tonk piano.  The Stones’ added “woo-woos” and Mick’s high-pitched howls are among the superfluities that flesh out their record’s waning moments. Continue Reading

Nearly three years after their last release, In Our Bedroom After the War, Stars are shining again with their latest full-length, The Five Ghosts.  One of many Broken Social Scene off-shoots, Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan provide the vocal front for the Montreal-based five-piece.  Continue Reading

The subject, sounds and style of this particular track from Portland’s own, Nurses has inspired me to write a good, old-fashioned haiku. Continue Reading

My thirst for irony is momentarily quenched by this song, so aptly chosen to close an album titled, Let’s Build a Roof.  The perforated male/female vocals, jumping up and down the scale, that create the body of this song seemingly owe a lot to a particular artist whose mission, not so long ago, was to record an album for every state in the union.  I don’t wish to suggest that LAKE is attempting to commandeer Steven’s style, but what the Sufjan is going on here?! Continue Reading