Here’s our take on the best and worst albums available online and in record stores today:
The Decemberists, The King Is Dead
The Simpler Life: Colin Meloy nixes the pixie dust on the Decemberists’ latest rock’n’roll fantasy.
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Robert Pollard, Space City Kicks
Pop’s busiest visionary finally controls quality.
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Smith Westerns, Dye It Blonde
Spirited Teens: Windy City upstarts set their wide eyes on the stars.
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Braids, Native Speaker
Beneath fluttery swirls lie surprisingly feral cries.
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Social Distortion, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
California Sneerin’: Roots-punk coots decline Social Security, get pissed again.
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Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers, Teenage and Tourture
Human tornado tears into menacing bluesy rumble.
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Tennis, Cape Dory
Tide is high for sprightly couple’s bon voyage.
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Young Prisms, Friends for Now
Cali dream-pop that’s not afraid to shake you awake.
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