Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Ocean Street is a country-indie sound for a mellow ear, soft heart, and easy step. Relaxing, soothing, and something to swing to in your southern style rocking chair sipping on your refreshing drink of debut. Yes, this is their debut album, a quintet based out of Alabama. Originally dropped in ...

Waking up very early to listen to Octobop’s latest CD Very Early seems a definite possibility; it offers just the right mix of both upbeat and soothing jazz tunes. Octobop’s catchy beats beckon both jazz lovers and those simply looking for some good tunes with both their original and familiar ...

ODDISEE PRESENTS FOOT IN THE DOOR ticked me off, royally, before I even got it into the CD player. I noticed while scanning the list of 34 tracks on the jewel case that 7 of them had asterisks (for those of you who have been subjected to public school subsequent ...

I had the misfortune of missing an Of Montreal show when they came through town a few months ago.  I recommended that my boyfriend go in my stead—and he, having not listened to the band, went to the show not knowing what to expect.  After the show, he was an ...

I really was surprised.  Honestly.  I found out the Offspring had a new album, and I was curious.  Memories of ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’, ‘Want You Bad’, ‘Why Don’t You Get A Job’ and, who could ever forget “Pretty Fly For a White Guy’ came flooding back.  So I wanted ...

Offwhyte offers an underground sound, a creative little background to groove to. Reminding me of an underground party where you can hardly see within a dark crowded room, or a  mellow atmosphere of lounging with a drink in hand and casually mingling, Rain or Shine your friends are surely jealous that you were ...

There are basically two types of records being released nowadays, records that grow on you (most Modest Mouse releases, every single one of Sonic Youth’s albums, Paris Hiltons debut) and records you just instantly know you aren’t going to stop listening to for the next month (Gnarls Barkley’s St. Elsewhere, most ...

OHN is full of edge, modern flare, and a remarkable sense of confidence which commands the respect of all listeners. The strong, fast, and energized instrumentals are softened by the female vocals featured in this album’s repetitive but thoughtful lyrics. Allison Scharf is the woman behind the sensual voice and is ...

Okkervil River's narrative rock on The Stage Names is the concept album of a concept album.  It is the story of how important art is in a confusing and sad world.  It is the intersection of the amazing and the mundane, the horrible and the wonderful. It is “What gives ...

Refreshing.  Simple.  Inventive.  Even more refreshing.Those are the words that best describe Olav Larsen & The Alabama Rodeo Stars’ latest album, Love's Come to Town.  Larsen, the lead singer, has a strangely enticing Dylan-esque voice that perfectly fits his style of bluesy country music.The first track – one of the ...

After listening to Old Blind Dogs’ latest album Four on the Floor, it comes as no surprise to learn that the band has been collaborating and making beautiful melodies for over a decade. After a few changes of band members in the early 1990’s, the Old Blind Dogs have ...

The Discontent… The Hunns? Typhoon Motor Dudes? The Briggs… The Briggs? Huh? Who are these guys and where do they come from? Here's my first clue I was going to dig this stuff… I never heard of most of 'em... and about halfway in, since I started writing, I haven't ...

The Discontent… The Hunns? Typhoon Motor Dudes? The Briggs… The Briggs? Huh? Who are these guys and where do they come from? Here's my first clue I was going to dig this stuff… I never heard of most of 'em... and about halfway in, since I started writing, I haven't ...

Within the few seconds, the folk and bluesy feel of Olivea Watson’s album Way Down Deep gets right to the core of her soul. The first song on the album, Let Go, was written in response to her questioning faith but is now the anthem for War Child International, a ...

In social settings, it’s cool to tell people that you’re a lover of world music.  You’ll sound cultured and smart, as if you should be wearing a tweed jacket while admiring your tribal masks on the wall and sucking deep on a hickory pipe.  To be honest, what does world ...

Thank God Olivia the Band’s sophomore album, Where We Come From it Never Snows, was released this past January…literally. Olivia the Band is a Christian rock group with a fresh, pop-punk, surfer sound and lyrics proclaiming Christ’s love and a desire for summer to last forever. Their music has a ...

Despite the shrinking territory and its traditionalists, the blues always seems to have plenty of room for a big, rowdy fella like Kent "Omar" Dykes. Like many breakout stars, the Texas-bred Omar has become a fixture on the European circuit, mesmerizing overseas fans with his strong, strapping voice and brawny ...

One World’s Share My Love is a bit odd. I’m really not sure whether I like it or not. But I certainly appreciate the effort and originality of the lyrics and beats. The vocals and lyrics of lead singer Frank Unzueta, the group’s co-founder, are richly beautiful, ...

It’s safe to say that the up and coming band, OneRepublic owes a lot of thanks to hip hop artist Timbaland for their recent fame. Timbaland remixed and released OneRepublic’s Apologize on his newest album, Shock Value, and it quickly became a hit. Now the only remaining question is ...

Lousy title. Great, great sounds.That about sums up BELLYDANCING BREAKBEATS, which fuses hiphip, rap, and house with...bellydancing music. I know, I know  Bellydancing, at least for me, conjures up memories of safe bachelor parties, or wives making a last ditch effort to get their husbands interested. I'd never buy a ...

In 1977 The Sex Pistols turned on an entire generation to Punk Rock music, with their authority thumbing exploits and music-less skills… made for the stage, they then destroyed it, died a horrible death and you know, the stuff of legend. So I've used an entire fragmented sentence to lead ...

I've got to admit being a little skeptical running down this list of six for a slightly dated debut EP that's back for another run at Rock n' Roll reverb. The vibe front out is that of a late '60s/'70s style retro-revival from a four member band whose roots reach ...

Orange Goblin’s always been known as one of the more “colorful” characters to “grace” the TMC roster.  TMC, a major leader in the rebirth of seventies’ Blues and bare back Rock essentials, landed a big time talent with the arrival of Orange Goblin, a spirited UK five some that’s as ...

You can’t have too many funk CDs. I’m telling you. You can have everything in the James Brown discography, all of the Parliament/ Funkadelic/ P-Funk/ Bootsie Collins manifestations, The Meters catalogue, official and unofficial, and it’s not enough. It’s like a drug. And here is your latest fix, The Killion ...

I was in New Jersey a couple of months ago and there seems to be a renewed energy in the air. There are a lot of energetic bands, there are a couple of radio stations that kick righteous ass, and a found a couple of indy CD stores (one in ...