Album Reviews
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ALBUM REVIEW: Fletcher almost soars while ‘In Search of the Antidote’
Fletcher, “In Search Of The Antidote.” “Here I fucking go again,” sings New Jersey native Cari Fletcher—better known as Fletcher—in the first lyric of her sophomore LP, In Search of the Antidote. Just a few years into her career, the rising pop star has performed with Miley Cyrus and…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Elbow returns with a vengeance on ‘Audio Vertigo’
Elbow, “Audio Vertigo.” Some fans of Elbow found the U.K. band’s previous album, pandemic-era Flying Dream 1 (2021) to be a little too quiet and sleepy. They’ll be glad to hear that its newest outing, Audio Vertigo, is louder, darker, heavier and wittier. Audio Vertigo Elbow Polydor/Geffen, March 22…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Gary Clark Jr. gets real on ‘JPEG RAW’
Gary Clark Jr., “JPEG RAW.” Gary Clark, Jr. makes it clear with his new album that he doesn’t want to be only a blues guitar prodigy anymore. JPEG RAW Gary Clark, Jr. Warner, March 22 8/10 Get the album on Amazon Music. His fourth album, JPEG RAW, arrives five…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Justin Timberlake looks back on ‘Everything I Thought It Was’
Justin Timberlake, “Everything I Thought It Was.” Justin Timberlake effectively dances around the elephant in the room throughout his sixth album, Everything I Thought It Was. Amid a groundswell of demand—from some—for an *NSYNC reunion album or tour, he instead made an 18-track solo set. That’s not to say…
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ALBUM REVIEW: DragonForce accelerates to ‘Warp Speed’ on new LP
Dragonforce, “Warp Speed Warriors.” Hold on tight. That’s about the only advice one can give when going on a spin with Warp Speed Warriors, the latest album by English power metal quintet DragonForce. Warp Speed Warriors DragonForce Napalm, March 15 7/10 Get the album on Amazon Music. It’s difficult…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Scott Stapp finds his ‘Higher Power’ on solo LP
Scott Stapp, “Higher Power.” While Creed is in the midst of a resurgence with a World Series anthem for the Texas Rangers and an extensive reunion tour plotted for this summer, Scott Stapp is unleashing his own set of new music. Higher Power, his fourth solo record and his…
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ALBUM REVIEW: The Black Crowes family reunion is fully formed on ‘Happiness Bastards’
The Black Crowes, “Happiness Bastards.” Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson have been busy over the past 15 years, with various bands, solo musical projects, producing other artists’ records and other extracurriculars. What they weren’t doing during that time is putting out any new Black Crowes music. That changes now,…
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ALBUM REVIEW: ZHU takes an uncomfortable journey inward on ‘Grace’
“ZHU, “Grace.” The fourth album by ZHU, Grace, maintains the Bay Area native’s signature electronic sound while embracing elements of pop and hip-hop. Grace ZHU Astralwerks, March 15 7/10 Get the album on Amazon Music. The double album’s opening track, “Crossroads,” foreshadows the journey ahead. ZHU’s vocals begins soft,…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Jesus and Mary Chain flows quicker on ‘Glasgow Eyes’
The Jesus and Mary Chain, “Glasgow Eyes.” For those of us who remember, there was a very specific feeling you used to get from a Jesus and Mary Chain album. The blissed-out noise rock was like the love buzz you’d get seeing your crush in the hallway during passing…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Ariana Grande lets in the light on ‘Eternal Sunshine’
Ariana Grande, “Eternal Sunshine.” Ariana Grande didn’t give up many secrets leading up to Eternal Sunshine. The track list came in fragments and just once song (“yes, and?) preceded the her seventh album. And that now makes sense because Eternal Sunshine plays less like a collection of singles and…