Xiu Xiu Goes Dark(er): Angel Guts Review

For an unflinching musical exploration of well, just about anything, we’re lucky to always have Xiu Xiu around, punching us in the ears and kicking us in the groin. From “I Love Abortion” to Dear God, I Hate Myself, Xiu Xiu frontman Jamie Stewart has never allowed his...

Destroyer Goes Spanish: Five Spanish Songs EP

Trying to describe Destroyer’s Five Spanish Songs is complicated. On the surface, it’s exactly what you’d think it is: five songs sung in Spanish, each sparkling little ruby a cover of a song by Spanish group Sr. Chinarro and written by that band’s frontman, Antonio...

Painted Palms: Addictable Summer Sounds

Painted Palms’ debut full-length album Forever is something sweet. It’s an auditory Candyland. It brims with champagne, cotton candy, gumdrops (maybe?) and other tempting indulgences. You’ll want to head to the beach. You’ll want to roller skate or surf or make a...

Arcade Fire Predicted My Future and I Only JUST Found Out

Ok, so JUST found out is a bit of an understatement. I noticed it about a month ago when I was perusing the year’s music releases so I could compile my best-of list. I’ve told you that my newest book is loosely based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice,...