Chris Devine

Review: Lori McKenna “The Balladeer”

"The Balladeer" is a career high for one of our most necessary troubadours, Lori McKenna  Considering the nature of her primary themes — namely, the love and tumult with which both marriage and parenthood are freighted — what continues to amaze about Lori McKenna is...

Record Review: The Division

The Division Embrace Poquoson, VA "Embracing melody and brutality" The Division experiments with different sounds and vocals in their debut album Embrace. The alternative metal album includes...

Record Review: Tennis

Tennis Cape Dory Denver, CO “Love-tinged seafaring lo-fi pop” Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley met while studying philosophy in college, where the two vowed to sell their collective belongings and...

Record Review: Susan Werner

Susan Werner Kicking The Beehive Chicago, IL “Stirring up trouble where she can” Fans of folk staple Susan Werner might double-check their disc when first placing Kicking The Beehive in the stereo....

Record Review: Smoke or Fire

Smoke or Fire The Speakeasy Richmond, VA “Poetic, Political, Punk” When the words “Fat Wreck” and “Speakeasy” are found on an album, sophomoric antics in a backroom bar come to mind. But Fat Wreck...

Record Review: Smith Westerns

Smith Westerns Dye It Blonde Chicago, IL “Youthful band creates complex sounds” Smith Westerns combine innocence and freshness of youth on their sophomore release Dye It Blonde. With glam and pop...

Record Review: Rachel Goodrich

Rachel Goodrich Rachel Goodrich Miami, FL “A joyful, lo-fi carnival” On this self-titled release, Goodrich demonstrates brilliance and wisdom beyond her age. Full of creative spunk and witty spark,...

Record Review: Pile

Pile Magic Isn’t Real Boston, MA “A heaping pile of bold, brilliant rock” Standing on the cross lines of rock, punk, and post-rock, this trio of brash Bostonians has recorded an album of lavishly...

Record Review: Phantom Glue

Phantom Glue Phantom Glue Boston, MA “You are DOOMED!” Thunder rakes across a darkened sky. This is the hour the sun should rise, but today there will only be the light of hungry flames as they...

Record Review: Natalia Zukerman

Natalia Zukerman Gas Station Roses Brooklyn, NY “Made of steel” A big departure for folk favorite Natalia Zukerman, Gas Station Roses is sure to please longtime fans and newcomers alike. There’s...