Music Editorial Reviews
1. Oasis, 'Dig Out Your Soul' 
By Tamara Palmer - October 6, 2008
The world’s most pompous band gets over itself
2. T.I., 'Paper Trail'
By Tamara Palmer - September 29, 2008
Turbulent rapper bounces back from the brink of disaster
3. Jennifer Hudson, 'Jennifer Hudson'
By Andy Hermann - September 29, 2008
The ‘Dreamgirls’ star plays it safe on a vocally restrained debut
4. Tom Morello, the Nightwatchman, 'The Fabled City'
By Matt Pais - September 29, 2008
Rage/Audioslave guitarist should rethink how he allocates his resources
5. Ben Folds, 'Way to Normal'
By Scott Thill - September 29, 2008
The new millennium's piano man delivers ebony and irony
6. Robin Thicke, 'Something Else'
By Matt Pais - September 29, 2008
R&B singer has lovin’ on his mind, but pretty clichéd ways of expressing it
7. Jack's Mannequin, 'The Glass Passenger'
By Kirk Miller - September 29, 2008
Piano-tinged emo full of real emotion...and some ‘80s love
8. MURS, 'MURS for President'
By Tamara Palmer - September 29, 2008
Los Angeles rapper runs on the truth platform
9. Anberlin, 'New Surrender'
By Kirk Miller - September 29, 2008
Punky, melodic pop with a hint of spiritual angst
10. Mercury Rev, 'Snowflake Midnight'
By Adam McKibbin - September 29, 2008
Brainy, bracing psych-pop from Flaming Lips peers
11. La Rocca, 'OK Okay'
By Jeff Miller - September 29, 2008
Former Springsteen sound-alikes trade the Boss for Bono
12. Pussycat Dolls, 'Doll Domination'
By Tamara Palmer - September 22, 2008
PCD's second album does not make us purr
13. TV on the Radio, 'Dear Science'
By Scott T. Sterling - September 22, 2008
Brooklyn art-rock heroes get funky (and sexy) on stellar third release
14. Kings of Leon, 'Only by the Night'
By Scott Thill - September 23, 2008
Southern rockers push the envelope on fourth full-length
15. Plain White T's, 'Big Bad World'
By Kirk Miller - September 22, 2008
A pleasantly forgettable pop affair that your parents may enjoy
16. Cold War Kids, 'Loyalty to Loyalty'
By Adam McKibbin - September 22, 2008
SoCal soulful punks return with a moody second album
17. Jenny Lewis, 'Acid Tongue'
By Adam McKibbin - September 22, 2008
Rilo Kiley’s singer suffers a solo setback
18. Blitzen Trapper, 'Furr'
By Andy Hermann - September 22, 2008
Pacific Northwest folk-rockers shine on ‘70s-soaked Sub Pop debut
19. Thievery Corporation, 'Radio Retaliation'
By Kirk Miller - September 22, 2008
A quietly funky soundtrack for the MoveOn.org generation
20. Everlast, 'Love, War, and the Ghost of Whitey Ford'
By Jeff Miller - September 22, 2008
The guy who told you ‘What It’s Like’ has some more on his mind
21. Koufax, 'Strugglers'
By Matt Rodbard - September 22, 2008
Politics and jazz are on Robert Suchan’s mind
22. High Places, 'High Places'
By Scott Thill - September 23, 2008
Brooklyn quirktronica duo aims high with Thrill Jockey debut
23. Metallica, 'Death Magnetic'
By Adam McKibbin - September 15, 2008
Metal godfathers roar back from the dead
24. Ne-Yo, 'Year of the Gentleman'
By Adam McKibbin - September 15, 2008
One of R&B's brightest young stars is bringing classy back
25. Buckcherry, 'Black Butterfly'
By Kirk Miller - September 15, 2008
The party’s winding down for these ‘Lit Up’ L.A. rockers
26. Nelly, 'Brass Knuckles'
By Tamara Palmer - September 16, 2008
St. Louis rapper is late to his own party
27. Amanda Palmer, 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer?'
By Scott Thill - September 15, 2008
Dresden Dolls singer crafts a dark solo cabaret
28. Jem, 'Down to Earth'
By Andy Hermann - September 16, 2008
U.K. trip-pop songbird makes lackluster return after long hiatus
29. Raphael Saadiq, 'The Way I See It'
By Tamara Palmer - September 15, 2008
Soul producer to the stars channels Motown on third solo disc
30. Fujiya & Miyagi, 'Lightbulbs'
By Adam McKibbin - September 15, 2008
Quirky Krautrock with plenty of rhythm for the dance floor
31. The Walkmen, 'You & Me'
By Matt Rodbard - September 15, 2008
Moody New York quartet plays to the beat of their own (highly skilled) drum
32. Marc Broussard, 'Keep Coming Back'
By Jeff Miller - September 16, 2008
Blue-eyed soul's next big thing? Not after this hokey effort.
33. Tindersticks, 'The Hungry Saw'
By Scott Thill - September 15, 2008
Downtempo loungers return from the brink
34. Portugal. The Man, 'Censored Colors'
By Kirk Miller - September 15, 2008
The second most famous thing ever to come from Wasilla, Alaska
35. Gym Class Heroes, 'The Quilt'
By Matt Rodbard - September 8, 2008
Upstate New York hip-hoppers shake off the emo-rap chokehold
36. Jessica Simpson, 'Do You Know'
By Andy Hermann - September 9, 2008
Jessica's first country album is (a little) better than you might think
37. LL Cool J, 'Exit 13'
By Tamara Palmer - September 8, 2008
The old G.O.A.T. still has moments of sizzle
38. Calexico, 'Carried to Dust'
By Scott Thill - September 8, 2008
Vibrant border music from desert noir's reigning surrealists
39. Michael Franti & Spearhead, 'All Rebel Rockers'
By Tamara Palmer - September 8, 2008
Activist band channels reggae’s joyful spirit of protest
40. Head, 'Save Me From Myself'
By Kirk Miller - September 8, 2008
Former Korn guitarist has a new spiritual message, but the same tired old sound
41. The Broken West, 'Now or Heaven'
By Adam McKibbin - September 8, 2008
L.A. power-poppers dig deeper on second album
42. The Subways, 'All or Nothing'
By Kirk Miller - September 8, 2008
A band’s romantic break-up (somewhat) inspires a new record
43. Nightmares on Wax, 'thought so...'
By Tamara Palmer - September 8, 2008
U.K. electronic soul star goes road trippin’
44. The New Year, 'The New Year'
By Scott Thill - September 8, 2008
Bedhead vets craft sleepy, stirring noise
45. The Shaky Hands, 'Lunglight'
By Scott Thill - September 8, 2008
Promising debut from Portland indie/retro rockers
46. New Kids on the Block, 'The Block'
By Tamara Palmer - August 28, 2008
Former pop sensations grow from boys to overproduced men
47. Young Jeezy, 'Recession'
By Adam McKibbin - September 2, 2008
Overstuffed third album from Southern rapper du jour.
48. UNKLE, 'End Titles...Stories for Film'
By Adam McKibbin - September 2, 2008
Cinematic odds-and-ends from James Lavelle & Co.
49. Apollo Sunshine, 'Shall Noise Upon'
By Scott Thill - September 2, 2008
Psychedelic pop-rock straight outta Boston.
50. Donnie Klang, 'Just a Rolling Stone'
By Tamara Palmer - September 2, 2008
“Making The Band” solo star aims for three-peat success.
51. Birdmonster, 'From the Mountain to the Sea'
By Scott Thill - September 2, 2008
Confessional indie rocker expand its sonic contract.
52. Theresa Andersson, 'Hummingbird, Go!'
By Scott Thill - September 2, 2008
Do-it-all Swedish export crafts symphonic pop.
53. Solange, 'Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams'
By Tamara Palmer - August 25, 2008
Beyoncé’s little sister goes for the old and new soul
54. The Game, 'LAX'
By Adam McKibbin - August 25, 2008
Star-studded third album from West Coast gangsta rapper is a mixed bag
55. Slipknot, 'All Hope Is Gone'
By Adam McKibbin - August 25, 2008
Fourth studio album from masked metal madmen
56. Motorhead, 'Motorizer'
By Kirk Miller - August 25, 2008
Graying metal gods still ‘Rock Out,’ but could they try to do a little more than that?
57. Matthew Sweet, 'Sunshine Lies'
By Matt Rodbard - August 25, 2008
Veteran power-popper still doing what he does best
58. DragonForce, 'Ultra Beatdown'
By Kirk Miller - August 25, 2008
It’s like a guitar solo that never ends—except to start a new, more awesome one
59. Topaz and Mudphonic, 'Music for Dorothy'
By Scott Thill - August 25, 2008
Southern boogie straight outta Texas
60. Tussle, 'Cream Cuts'
By Scott Thill - August 22, 2008
Thumping drums and glitches go down smoothly
61. The Gaslight Anthem, 'The '59 Sound'
By Adam McKibbin - August 18, 2008
Jersey punk band carries the torches of Against Me! and the Boss
62. Jonas Brothers, 'A Little Bit Longer'
By Andy Hermann - August 11, 2008
Disney’s squeaky-clean trio returns with more aural catnip for 11-year-olds
63. Michelle Williams, 'Unexpected'
By Tamara Palmer - August 11, 2008
Surprisingly weak solo effort from Destiny’s Child singer
64. Pierre de Reeder, 'The Way That It Was'
By Scott Thill - August 11, 2008
Rilo Kiley bassist goes solo to deliver sentimental pop
65. Extreme, 'Saudades de Rock'
By Kirk Miller - August 11, 2008
Pop-metal icons use ‘more than words’ (ha) and get the Led out on comeback disc
67. The Silent Years, 'The Globe'
By Scott Thill - August 11, 2008
Michigan pals forge expansive pop existentialism
68. Conor Oberst, 'Conor Oberst'
By Jeff Miller - August 5, 2008
The Bright Eyes troubadour is still himself on a rewarding solo effort
69. Hawthorne Heights, 'Fragile Future'
By Kirk Miller - August 5, 2008
Screamo superstars recover and reassess after a band member's death
70. Lloyd, 'Lessons in Love'
By Tamara Palmer - August 5, 2008
R&B singer isn’t a player—he just crushes a lot
71. The Faint, 'Fasciinatiion'
By Scott Thill - August 5, 2008
Nebraska dance-rockers strike out on their own
72. Darker My Love, '2'
By Scott Thill - August 5, 2008
Groovy L.A. quintet specializes in heavy pop
73. Brazilian Girls, 'New York City'
By Jeff Miller - August 5, 2008
New York’s multi-ethnic “Girls” go wild
74. Plastilina Mosh, 'All U Need Is Mosh'
By Tamara Palmer - August 5, 2008
Rap, rock and punk straight outta Mexico
75. Sugarland, 'Love on the Inside'
By Andy Hermann - July 28, 2008
Country-pop’s dynamic duo turns out more big-hearted, sing-along tunes
76. Scars on Broadway, 'Scars on Broadway'
By Adam McKibbin - July 28, 2008
Melodic hard rock for the masses from one-half of System of a Down
77. Soulfly, 'Conquer'
By Kirk Miller - July 28, 2008
A thrash blast from the past reminds us of all that ‘heavy’ can be
78. Rick Springfield, 'Venus in Overdrive'
By Andy Hermann - July 28, 2008
‘80s pop icon is not aging gracefully
79. James Jackson Toth, 'Waiting in Vain'
By Adam McKibbin - July 28, 2008
Harmonic folk-pop recalls classic ‘70s sounds
80. Wild Sweet Orange, 'We Have Cause to Be Uneasy'
By Scott Thill - July 28, 2008
Crunchy yet airy indie pop tastes like citrus chicken
81. Nine Inch Nails, 'The Slip'
By Scott Thill - July 21, 2008
Trent Reznor keeps his digital fire alive
82. Miley Cyrus, 'Breakout'
By Andy Hermann - July 22, 2008
Disney’s ‘Hannah’ star is all grown up and ready to rock
83. Black Kids, 'Partie Traumatic'
By Scott Thill - July 21, 2008
Synth-pop throwbacks from provocatively named newcomers
84. CSS, 'Donkey'
By Michelle Lanz - July 21, 2008
Brazilian sextet is back with a cleaned up, crowd-pleasing pop sound
85. Amy Ray, 'Didn't It Feel Kinder'
By Scott Thill - July 21, 2008
Rough and ready solo effort from one half of the Indigo Girls
86. Dr. Dog, 'Fate'
By Matt Pais - July 21, 2008
Philly psychedelic rockers deliver appealing classic-rock jams
87. Paul Weller, '22 Dreams'
By Scott Thill - July 21, 2008
The Jam master's sprawling ninth album is a mixed but enjoyable bag
89. Low vs. Diamond, 'Low vs. Diamond'
By Jeff Miller - July 22, 2008
L.A.'s newest indie darlings struggle to figure out who they are
90. Benji Hughes, 'A Love Extreme'
By Jeff Miller - July 21, 2008
Debut album from a promising Southern songwriter gets lost in its own extremes
91. Sky Eats Airplane, 'Sky Eats Airplane'
By Kirk Miller - July 21, 2008
MySpace-approved punks bring the gift of “electronicore”...um, thanks?
92. David Banner, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told'
By Tamara Palmer - July 14, 2008
Revealing tales from Mississippi's top rapper-producer
93. John Mellencamp, 'Life Death Love and Freedom'
By Andy Hermann - July 14, 2008
The heartland rocker grows old gracefully on solid return to form
94. Nas, 'Untitled'
By Scott Thill - July 14, 2008
Street poet’s sharp insights strain beneath average soundtracking
95. The Hold Steady, 'Stay Positive'
By Adam McKibbin - July 14, 2008
Celebrated indie rockers inspire the masses, but not always with a steady hand
96. The Airborne Toxic Event, 'The Airborne Toxic Event'
By Scott Thill - July 14, 2008
Literary rockers set angst-filled debut for stun
97. Negativland, 'Thigmotactic'
By Adam McKibbin - July 14, 2008
Sound collage troublemakers try their hand at songwriting
98. Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, 'Glistening Pleasure'
By Kirk Miller - July 14, 2008
Attack of the nerdy white guys with synths and bad come-ons
99. Mugison, 'Mugiboogie'
By Tamara Palmer - July 14, 2008
Icelandic blues-rocker tributes Jesus and George Harrison
100. Beck, 'Modern Guilt'
By Adam McKibbin - July 7, 2008
Indie rock's top chameleon recruits Danger Mouse for a low-key psychedelic trip
101. Albert Hammond, Jr., '¿Como Te Llama?'
By Jeff Miller - July 7, 2008
The guitarist for the Strokes is all grown up
102. Greg Laswell, 'Three Flights From Alto Nido'
By Scott Thill - July 7, 2008
California singer-songwriter goes widescreen on sweeping third album
103. The Melvins, 'Nude With Boots'
By Scott Thill - July 7, 2008
Thunder riff vets stay gloriously the same
104. Jean Grae, 'Jeanius'
By Andy Hermann - July 7, 2008
Underground hip-hop star shines, even over fair-to-middling beats
105. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, 'Have Another Ball!'
By Kirk Miller - July 7, 2008
Covers supergroup indulges in more punked-up takes on Neil Diamond and Billy Joel
106. Ron Sexsmith, 'Exit Strategy of the Soul'
By Jeff Miller - July 7, 2008
Folk-pop lifer gets horn-y on 11th release
107. Ratatat, 'LP3'
By Adam McKibbin - July 7, 2008
Electronic duo mixes mellow and frantic instrumentals
108. Street Dogs, 'State of Grace'
By Kirk Miller - July 7, 2008
Boston street punks turn working class heroes on a hardcore throwback
109. Paramount Styles, 'Failure American Style'
By Scott Thill - July 7, 2008
Girls Against Boys singer digs deep on solo effort
110. The Black Ghosts, 'The Black Ghosts'
By Scott Thill - July 7, 2008
Club poppers conjure dance floor specters
111. Feral Children, 'Second to the Last Frontier'
By Kirk Miller - July 7, 2008
A buzzing Seattle band ‘Modest’-ly influenced by their sonic peers
112. Alkaline Trio, 'Agony & Irony'
By Scott Thill - June 30, 2008
Angst veterans still bring the noise, but with a slightly more grown-up point of view
113. Los Lonely Boys, 'Forgiven'
By Michelle Lanz - July 1, 2008
The stars of ‘Texican’ rock serve up a predictable but sturdy third effort
114. Vanessa Hudgens, 'Identified'
By Andy Hermann - June 30, 2008
The ‘High School Musical’ starlet sneaks out a dull sophomore disc
115. Relient K, 'Nashville Tennis EP/The Bird and the Bee Sides'
By Matt Pais - July 1, 2008
Twenty-six-track collection includes much filler and a couple handfuls of solid pop
116. Night Ranger, 'Hole in the Sun'
By Kirk Miller - June 30, 2008
Classic ‘80s rockers return…and they can, apparently, still rock in America
117. Tech N9ne, 'Killer'
By Tamara Palmer - June 30, 2008
Popular independent rapper murders his magnum opus
118. Earlimart, 'Hymn and Her'
By Adam McKibbin - June 30, 2008
Downbeat chamber pop from steadfast L.A. duo
119. Golden Animals, 'Free Your Mind and Win a Pony'
By Scott Thill - June 30, 2008
Retro-rock duo releases a postmodern upgrade
120. Kirsten Price, 'Guts and Garbage'
By Adam McKibbin - June 30, 2008
A sassy spin on soul music from a British diva (no, not that one)
121. Girl Talk, 'Feed the Animals'
By Matt Rodbard - June 23, 2008
ADD-friendly producer proves there’s still life in the mashup
122. Three 6 Mafia, 'Last 2 Walk'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
It's hard out here for an Oscar-winning hip-hop act
123. Sigur Rós, 'með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust'
By Michelle Lanz - June 23, 2008
Icelandic foursome returns with a stellar and more accessible sonic masterpiece
124. Mötley Crüe, 'Saints of Los Angeles'
By Kirk Miller - June 23, 2008
Their best since ‘Dr. Feelgood’—which, unfortunately, isn’t saying much
125. G. Love & Special Sauce, 'Superhero Brother'
By Jeff Miller - June 23, 2008
Longtime dorm favorite phones it in
126. The Watson Twins, 'Fire Songs'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Southern sisters soft-rock you to somewhere
127. Bobby Digital, 'Digi Snacks'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Wu-Tang visionary slows down to smell the money
128. Less Than Jake, 'GNV FLA'
By Kirk Miller - June 23, 2008
Ska-punk diehards get back to their roots
129. Hercules and Love Affair, 'Hercules and Love Affair'
By Adam McKibbin - June 23, 2008
Disco strikes back, with a big assist from Antony and the DFA
130. Amos Lee, 'Last Days at the Lodge'
By Matt Pais - June 23, 2008
A fuller, more varied effort from a guy who’s still got soul
131. Alejandro Escovedo, 'Real Animal'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Latino alt-country legend gets punked
132. Anthony David, 'Acey Duecy'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
Hip-hop soul from India.Arie’s first artist
133. Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80, 'Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
Fela Kuti’s son leads his Afro-beat band into the now
134. The Wombats, 'A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Bipolar pop anthems from a U.K. buzz band with wit to burn
135. Rose Hill Drive, 'Moon Is the New Earth'
By Jeff Miller - June 23, 2008
Young rockers emulate their ‘70s heroes, with mixed results
136. Coldplay, 'Viva La Vida'
By Adam McKibbin - June 16, 2008
Grander and denser, but still the same Coldplay you know and love (or hate)
137. Katy Perry, 'One of the Boys'
By Andy Hermann - June 16, 2008
A dazzling debut from the girl-kissing pop ingénue
138. The Offspring, 'Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace'
By Kirk Miller - June 16, 2008
SoCal punks enlist Metallica's producer to help beef up their sound
139. Wolf Parade, 'At Mount Zoomer'
By Matt Rodbard - June 16, 2008
Montreal art-rockers put down their side projects and release an adventurous set of jams
140. Grupo Fantasma, 'Sonidos Gold'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Prince's favorite Latin funk band releases its 'definitive album'
141. Silver Jews, 'Lookout Mountain Lookout Sea'
By Adam McKibbin - June 16, 2008
Rollicking, countrified folk-rock from indie veterans
142. The Notwist, 'The Devil, You + Me'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Berlin's sonic chameleons deliver cool rocktronica
143. Judas Priest, 'Nostradamus'
By Kirk Miller - June 16, 2008
Heavy metal stalwarts release their first concept album
145. Tilly and the Wall, 'o'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Child-like indie poppers flex some more grown-up muscles
146. Lil Wayne, 'Tha Carter III'
By Scott T. Sterling - June 9, 2008
Rap's biggest rising star still hasn't quite made his masterpiece...yet
147. My Morning Jacket, 'Evil Urges'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
Indie rockers try to join the ranks of Prince and Kravitz? Go figure.
148. N.E.R.D., 'Seeing Sounds'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
The Neptunes’ electro-funk band is back—and playing real instruments!
149. Jakob Dylan, 'Seeing Things'
By Matt Pais - June 9, 2008
Bob Dylan's son again proves he shouldn't just be known as Bob Dylan's son
150. Supergrass, 'Diamond Hoo Ha'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
Another worthy effort from eclectic Britpop survivors
151. Alanis Morissette, 'Flavors of Entanglement'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
You oughta skip this overproduced attempt at a comeback
153. The Cool Kids, 'The Bake Sale EP'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
Much hyped Chicago duo flashes old-school beats and brainy rhymes
154. Joan as Police Woman, 'To Survive'
By Adam McKibbin - June 9, 2008
Elegant sophomore album from back-up singer turned solo chanteuse
155. The Fratellis, 'Here We Stand'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
Uber-catchy Brit-rockers’ second album is a mixed bag
156. Martha Wainwright, 'I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too'
By Adam McKibbin - June 9, 2008
Rufus’ husky-voiced sister reflects on failed relationships
157. Weezer, 'Weezer'
By Kirk Miller - June 2, 2008
The geek-rockers' 'Red Album' is their best in ages
158. Ashanti, 'The Declaration'
By Tamara Palmer - June 3, 2008
R&B singer finally finds her own voice
159. Ladytron, 'Velocifero'
By Adam McKibbin - June 2, 2008
Icy electro-pop encourages dancing and depression
160. Aimee Mann, '@#%&! Smilers'
By Andy Hermann - June 2, 2008
'Magnolia' soundtracker perks up on surprisingly bright, soulful effort