Track Review Archives

Morrissey, “By The Time I Get To Wherever I’m Going” Lost Track, Reviewed

By Helen Bach | April 21, 2018

did I mention upbeat ditty yet?

“America” cover Yes, Reviewed

By Helen Bach | November 19, 2017

They did good.. not great

J Mascis Has Recorded A Surprising Cover of Elliott Smith’s ‘Waltz #2′

By Alyson Camus | October 6, 2016

Mascis does much more than covering the song here

Watch The New Video for Outernational’s Single ‘El Desafiante’

By Alyson Camus | November 9, 2015

‘This song was inspired by the memory and the defiant spirit of the 43 students who were disappeared by the government in Ayotzinapa, Mexico,’

Just In Time For The Season, Listen to Lael Neale’s New Song ‘Born In The Summer’

By Alyson Camus | June 25, 2015

‘Born in the Summer’ is inspired by those early adolescent years of feeling awkward in your own skin and painfully self-conscious, yet knowing that someday those growing pains will recede, explains the press release.
The song is also the 8th track of Lael’s forthcoming album, ‘I’ll Be Your Man’, set to be released on July 10th

Watch Soko’s Video For ‘Lovetrap’ Featuring Ariel Pink

By Alyson Camus | March 25, 2015

Soko is also an actress and this could explain a lot,… either she has studied Pink’s mannerism for hours (they are in fact buddies) or she is quite talented at picking someone’s attitude, or both! For a little while I thought I was watching the famous underground singer.

Listen To Muse’s ‘Psycho’ Song Off Their New Album ‘Drones’

By Alyson Camus | March 14, 2015

‘To me, ‘Drones’ are metaphorical psychopaths which enable psychopathic behavior with no recourse. The world is run by Drones utilizing Drones to turn us all into Drones. Drones explores the journey of a human, from their abandonment and loss of hope, to their indoctrination by the system to be a human drone, to their eventual defection from their oppressors.’ …

Best Coast’s “California Nights” Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | February 26, 2015

Best Coast have made the move from the Beach Boys to the Dream Syndicate while remaining true to themselves. It is a real goodie with a sterling guitar break and a haunting, sadly sad (does anybody do sad quite as well nowadays?) vocal

Deaf FM’s “Skylight” Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | February 17, 2015

“Skylight”is a hard rock ballad in the verses which explodes into an anthemic instrumental with a sterling guitar solo on the break and a kitchen sink expanded power source chorus.

“The Legend of Chavo Guerrero” by The Mountain Goats Reviewed

By Steve Crawford | February 1, 2015

I miss Chavo Guerrero and I miss being fed justice (fabricated or anticipated) on a weekly basis. Yet, as the song concludes, “It’s real sweet to grow old.” Might as well enjoy the ride, there’s no good alternative

Listen To The New McCartney-Kanye-West-Rihanna Collaboration Via Rihanna’s Website

By Alyson Camus | January 26, 2015

Is it me or this sounds a bit cheesy-folksy, a bit campfire song, part old fashioned, part Jack Johnson tune mutated with powerhouse vocals? Not disagreeable but easily forgettable.

Wiz Khalifa’s “Uma Thurman” Remix (Stream It Here)

By Iman Lababedi | January 25, 2015

Yep, this is the song of the winter. With a slice of Pulp Fiction and a dash of “The Munsters” and, here, for the piece de resistance, boy of Zummer buddy Wiz Khalifa adding a verse of chronic, the one track that will put the band back at the top of the heap

Laura Marling’s New Single “False Hope” Finds her On The Upper West Side (Stream It Here)

By Iman Lababedi | January 22, 2015

The name on the tip of your tongue is Ryan Adams though it sounds more the Cardinals to me, and as much as I like Ryan, I prefer Laura. It is like Dylan covering Donovan.

Nice to Meet You, Where You Been? 16 Covers Of “Blank Space” Go Down In Flames

By Iman Lababedi | January 17, 2015

Apparently “Blank Space” isn’t just a great song, it is open to inerpretation. The last time I did this was with “Bridge Over troubled Water” though let’s be honest, there isn’t a name I recognize here. Where’s Johnny Cash when you need him. Now, shut up and drink your gin…

Stream 2015 Rihanna Song “World Peace” Here

By Iman Lababedi | January 6, 2015

leaked from her studio, if it isn’t a new song it sounds like it could be. the wooah wooahs sound like Riri’s signature all right, and the sentiment is kinda underplayed, it doesn’t smack you, more like an observation. she doesn’t do high octane drama now does she?

Best Songs Of 2014

By Iman Lababedi | January 1, 2015

752 songs I like enough, say “B+” and better, to include on this list though only the top 40 is in order of preference. I know it looks like a lot but think of it this way, with an average of 12 songs on album that is the equivalent of 62 albums so not incredible.

Steve Crawford's Top 30 Songs Of 2014

By Steve Crawford | December 26, 2014

rock nyc writer Steve Crawford has spent much of the year working on a book of the greatest songs in the 1980s, but still followed the latest releases close enough to include Old 97’s encapsulated history of life in a rock band, Lydia’s ode to being told to give oral stimulation and long time faves DBT. A mix of Americana and the occasional curve ball for 2014.

The Replacements' Jazz Jam "Poke In My Cage" Reviewed (Stream It Here)

By Iman Lababedi | December 24, 2014

It isn’t bad, obviously the Replacements left the tape running while they noodled, and equally obviously if it is going somewhere I can’t see where, but still there are moments where the guitar seems to have escaped from “Telstar” and other times where it rings like the bells of Rhymney

Madonna's New Album "Iconic" Leaks… Are these Two of The Songs?

By Iman Lababedi | December 18, 2014

“Madonna’s new (and thirteenth) album, apparently called Iconic, has been leaked in full – long before it’s even officially announced. It features eleven tracks and is thought to be unfinished.

Tomas Doncker's Band "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | December 16, 2014

In Doncker’s hands, it is a warning and a prayer. It says, we better stop shooting and stop looting,w e better raise our kids and teach the cops, or we will discover exactly what is so unfunny about peace, love and understanding.

Songs From A Fast Car

By Andrew Diab | December 9, 2014

I’m not certain who sang these so I had to check with my Dad. Every time I go out with my Dad in a fast car these are the songs he likes to play. I don’t know why he chose them, because they are hard rockers I guess, but I do like them: I like the tunes, the beat and I don’t singalong unless I’m being paid!

Best Songs Through November 30th, 2014

By Iman Lababedi | December 1, 2014

Sure “Blank Space” is the best song of this year, last year and probably next year but lets take a second to namecheck Pittsburgh’s finest the Gotobeds, whose “New York’s Alright (If You Like Sex And Phones)” is as good as its name, hell it’s as good as its first line.

Anne Husick's "The Other" Side Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | November 23, 2014

“The Other Side” has a horn solo to die for and keyboards in the center and a strong gravitational pull of a beat meanwhile Anne’s vocal is a real beauty

"Do They Know It's Christmas 30" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | November 18, 2014

I appreciate Geldof’s good intention (though isn’t Ebola over with now? What? Are we giving $50K a victim?) but not at this price. This is purely brutal. Feed the rich, torture the poor… 30 years later

Listen To Wet Dress' Anarcho-Feminist Queer Garage Punk

By Alyson Camus | November 7, 2014

Everything in Wet Dress screams DIY, indie rock, small label and Riot Grrrl,…, but they have this girlie moniker and a ‘feminist queer’ etiquette attached to their Facebook, so I am allowed to say so

Marshall Crenshaw's "Out Of Nowhere" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | November 2, 2014

It is a really cool thing to hear Marshall so far away from what he does and yet so completely into it, he holds the melody, a pretty one as well, though a little ethereal, and strengthens it with a natural confidence that follows the melody line, one easy to lose track off, to the end.

Spanking Charlene's "Sugar Love" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | October 30, 2014

Spanking as in brand spanking new, Spanking Charlene’s new single “Sugar Love” is with us and it is a goodie, if it doesn’t have the mainstream manipulations of Eric Amble or the garage rock pressure points of Little Stevie, what Charlene McPherson is a fresh live take on her latest release

Kelly Clarkson Sings Sam Smith

By Iman Lababedi | October 22, 2014

Recorded at Symphony Park on October 18th, 2014, Kelly gets every ounce of the song and shares it right back with her audience, as if their voices are raised together in a hopefulness not actual written in at all. This isn’t actually Clarkson’s gift, she is another torch singer stomping the country side of love, but here with a song that doesn’t belong to her, Clarkson invites us all in.

The Rebel Factory's "Trigger me" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | October 21, 2014

It doesn’t actually sound like the LES in the 80s, maybe the 90s, the sound is too professional, the pain is deep but the arrangement has none of the sloppiness or loose barrelled of punk rock: this is a tough minded blues for grown ups. Well worth listening to.

Rockford's "I Tried" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | October 19, 2014

“I Tried” is a big time blues rocker which sounds like the way cali blues should, a deep bass and a very strong guitarist with a straight ahead beat, the song is about as good as rock gets in 2014, there is nowhere else for it to go

Meghan Trainor's "Lips Are Movin'" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | October 16, 2014

Should it be a hit? I hope it is, I love it, I love her. It just misses it by that much, it is not ordinary but it is ordinary for what she does, for what Meghan is capable of. Really, this is an album track and should have remained deep on her upcoming (soon, please please) album

Minnie Driver Covers Elliott Smith's 'Waltz #2'

By Alyson Camus | October 15, 2014

I just have a problem with the arrangements, why this terrible change in the chorus? To me, it brings the song down, it makes it less emotional and gut wrenching, it could even bring it in the easy-listening department, or Starbucks counter.

"Who's Counting" by Kat Edmonson Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | October 9, 2014

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” This is the heart of Kat’s advise on a gorgeous song which makes me feel a little sad because really, everything is so here and gone

Lorde's "Yellow Flicker Beat" Reviewed, Lyrics And Streaming

By Iman Lababedi | September 29, 2014

“My blood is a flood of rubies, precious stones, it keeps my veins hot, the fires find a home in me”. A tough minded song of revenge, “I’m locking up everyone that ever laid a finger on me.” Lorde’s first new song since the breakthrough should put naysayers to bed,

James Taylor's "September Grass" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | August 26, 2014

In “September Grass”, Taylor is lying in the grass with a woman, and he feels secure and so small, so far away, like tiny, he compares him and his girl to ants on a leaf of grass and the huge world is surrounding them but they are ignoring it. Their smallness and their togetherness protecting them from the world, their insignificance is their freedom and that is exactly how I felt

Leonard Cohen And Taylor Swift: Almost Like Shaking It Off

By Iman Lababedi | August 20, 2014

Taylor responds to claims she can’t hold a man, indeed, seeing her ex with another woman, by dancing. Cohen reacts to hell by dancing the samba. And both react to troubles with humor. At the bottom, both these songs are darkly humorous. It is almost like shaking with laughter, it is almost like darkness. But it isn’t darkness yet.

Kanye West's "All Day" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | August 20, 2014

to McCartney. certainly, if they get it right it will be big time.

Next, “All Day” -a mix of “N—-z In Paris” and Draker’s “Started From The Bottom”, “All Day” is the way Kanye performs pop songs in 2014. Basically, he builds the entire song around repeating the hook every second line and third time around at an increasingly fanatical pace. I love it but I would.

New Johnny Marr Song Marred By Lack Of Song

By Iman Lababedi | August 19, 2014

Former Smiths members keep on sucking and stupid ass writers keep on lying about them. The only good thing about the death of the rock crtic is nobody has to read the twerps at Rolling Stone’s brain dead blather about stuff they don’t quite grasp. In pitchfork synths are icy, in RS bass’s throb. Never met an adjective they couldn’t sexualy abuse.

The Only One's "Special View" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | August 15, 2014

Rock is about an unleashing of the Id not a wallowing in the superego. In “Special View” Peter does the impossible, he writes a song from the Superego. And what we gain from this is the most important thing we can, we realize we are not alone.

Smokey Robinson And Cee Lo Green "The Way You Do The Things You Do" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | August 9, 2014

“The Way You Do The Things You Do” was the Temptations first hit and you can hear why: this is the immaculate Motown house band and a great singer and harmonies just at the exact moment they became great. How could this version be anything at all? It isn’t anything at all. It has no choice but to be product.

Five Seconds of Summer or Five Seconds of Suck

By admin | August 3, 2014

They claim to have been influenced by punk rock bands, but I see no signs of this. They’re another shitty pop boy band that I pray is just some flash in the pan. However, you can find pictures of the boys clad in Misfits, Sex Pistols, and other ‘punk band’ merch you can pick up at any Urban Outfitters

Tony Bennett And Lady Gaga's "Anything Goes" reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | July 31, 2014

Lady Gaga, who I am sick to death of, doesn’t simply jump the Shark here, but climbs on top of it, squeezes it between her legs and rides it like Slim Pickens at the end of “Dr. Strangelove” and in the worst is yet to come mode, Bennett delivers his single worst vocal performance of all time

Watsky "Whoa Whoa Whoa" Video Reviewed

By admin | July 14, 2014

This new track is heavily lyric-driven, and there’s a lot less focus on the background beats, which helps to accentuate George’s words and voice. It’s just stunning. He starts with, “I’m a phenomenon, and I gotta bring pain in The Octagon. When I wanna spit game at a soccer mom I get it quicker than the left lane in the Autobahn, fast. Like Ramadan, and I battle young padawans all the damn day.”

Watch (Or Not) The Latest Flaming Lips-Miley Cyrus Collaboration

By Alyson Camus | July 13, 2014

At least, if this were a video for a new song, I would forgive them about the nonsense, but where is the music? There’s none and the Lips apparently have decided they were artsy film directors now. But Wayne, sorry you are no Ken Russell! R.I.P. The Flaming Lips.

Frank Iero "Weighted" Track Review

By admin | July 9, 2014

It’s fun and feels indie, genuinely underground and DIY. I never expected Iero to go in that direction considering he could create some seriously well-produced crisp clean generic music if he wanted to. However, he’s chosen to sound raw and it was one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

Titus Andronicus "Stranded (On My Own)" Reviewed

By Iman Lababedi | July 4, 2014

The song is great of course. Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out how to put the soundcloud recorded version up so here is a live one. And I added “Fatal Flaw” -another new one that sounds pretty good. Meanwhile, I can’t wait to catch em opening for the Buzzcocks on September 6th at Webster Hall.

Eddie Vedder Covers "Let It Go"

By Iman Lababedi | June 26, 2014

On the third hand, Olivia Vedder must be, what 8 years old now, so I am show she has been freezing it out like crazy though at eight years old her dad is probably still a god like figure. “Daughter” was never a favorite and I see zero reason to change my mind, so there.

Sam Smith Covers Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know"

By Iman Lababedi | June 25, 2014

The problem is Sam Smith’s version, as beautiful as can be, is too downcast, with just a piano he caresses it morbidly. It works as an adjunct to In The Lonely Hour, but that isn’t what he should be doing and that he wo’t jump on something he should be jumping on is something of a bummer.

Joyce Manor "Schley" Track Review

By admin | June 19, 2014

It’s pretty bare bones and laid back, but when the lead guitar kicks in, it gains even more depth and the riff is unique and unlike anything the band’s ever produced before, but I love it. It’s so odd and shows them expanding their horizons, which is awesome to see.

Jack White, “Alone In My House” On Conan Reviewed

By Helen Bach | June 14, 2014

So The Adams Family has released a new song and performed it on Conan June 11th. Luckily Gomez and Morticia stopped speaking in French long enough to get this twangy tune in the can. It seems Gomez is no longer able to shower and is boycotting the barber, Morticia has been sucking on helium so much it’s hard to recognize her voice any more.