Blogcritics Author: Tan The Man

Music Review: Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords

Tan The Man — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 06:09:30 EDT

The true beauty of Flight Of The Conchords is in knowing that the band is actually a comedy act.
The true beauty of Flight Of The Conchords is in knowing that the band is actually a comedy act. Without being in the know one would probably listen to the Wellington, New Zealand duo and think them to be the worst band ever. I refuse to believe that effect is by design, since it completely defies the traditional logic of being in a band to make...

Music Review: Kaskade - Strobelite Seduction

Tan The Man — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:55:16 EDT

Kaskade's fifth album "Strobelite Seduction" succeeds in recreating a perfect night on the town with his electronic music.
The U.S. has never been much of a hotbed for electronic music. Well, a more accurate statement would be the U.S. has never been much of a retailing hotbed for electronic music. Clubs play electronic music. People go to clubs. There's an audience, but are drunken people really going to remember that striking track after hours of boozing?I guess the...

Music Review: Ed Harcourt - The Beautiful Lie

Tan The Man — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:15:24 EDT

The U.S. is finally getting the release of this fourth LP after more than a two-year wait.
Judging by the production of his fourth full-length album in six years, Ed Harcourt has an abundant amount of creativity and inspiration. To that end, Sussex singer-songwriter Ed really is as his press release describes him, "a collector of weird instruments and a musical whore."The U.S. is just now getting that fourth album, The Beautiful Lie,...

Music Review: Computer vs. Banjo - Computer vs. Banjo

Tan The Man — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:17:26 EDT

Computer vs. Banjo crafts folk and electronica into a pleasant self-titled debut album.
Music happens to be one of those things that is always ever changing, constantly astounding, and never unenjoyable. If music can do that, then logically the previous statement should also apply to music's creators… or at least some of them.Nashville, Tennessee band Computer vs. Banjo happens to be experimenters of a surprising unique...

Music Review: The Delta Fiasco - Dreameater EP

Tan The Man — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:24:59 EDT

Despite periods of repetition, "Dreameater" is an entertaining first glimpse at Liverpool's newest nu rave rock export The Delta Fiasco.
Hail the Brits for contributing yet another subgenre to rock music. While the Klaxons get a majority of its credit, Liverpool band The Delta Fiasco is further extending the popularity of nu rave rock -- a combination of disco, electronic, New Wave, and European sounds. Nu rave is kind of a concert experience designation, which can also translate a...

Music Review: Gossip - Live In Liverpool

Tan The Man — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:03:36 EDT

Portland, Oregon-based Gossip decided it was time to show their live-performing abilities to the outside world with "Live In Liverpool."
With three full-length albums under their belt, Portland, Oregon-based Gossip decided it was time to show their live-performing abilities to the outside world. The result is a Lance Bangs-directed concert film of the trio playing to an intimate Liverpool crowd on July 9, 2007.Searcy, Arkansas was the original starting place for Beth Ditto (vocals),...

Music Review: The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain

Tan The Man — Sun, 8 Jun 2008 00:59:15 EDT

It's hard to think of a love letter more loving and poetic than The Acorn's "Glory Hope Mountain."
Canada is becoming such a hotbed and influence on indie music that "Canadie" might soon become a successful subgenre. I doubt my rough combination of the two words will catch on, but there's no mistaking that America's northern neighbor produces many popular and quality musicians.The Acorn is one such band that is quickly being noticed here in the...

Music Review: Joseph Arthur - Crazy Rain EP

Tan The Man — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:57:15 EDT

"Crazy Rain" features more of the stylings and rhythms that fans are used to from Joseph Arthur's previous albums.
Indie singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur is promoting his music in a less traditional way than previous attempts but also in a less modern way than Radiohead has done. The Akron, Ohio native is deluging the music world with four EPs in anticipation of his next full-length album Temporary People (previously titled All You Need Is Nothing) which will be...

Music Review: Joseph Arthur - Could We Survive

Tan The Man — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:31:51 EDT

Could We Survive is one of four EPs Joseph Arthur is releasing in anticipation of his soon-to-be-released full-length album Temporary People.
I don't think I've ever heard of any such promotion or any type of artistic creativity like indie singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur's where his full length album Temporary People (previously titled All You Need Is Nothing) would be preceded by count-em four EPs. One or two seems to be the norm, but four might be excessive.If anyone could...

Music Review: Langhorne Slim And The War Eagles - Langhorne Slim And The War Eagles

Tan The Man — Mon, 26 May 2008 03:05:39 EDT

The War Eagles add to Langhorne Slim�s mix of traditional, yet untraditional folk sensibilities.
Langhorne Slim (Sean Scolnick) has had a very eventful career, but luckily his talent was able to see him through even the toughest of moments -- most notably seeing his record label V2 fold and his debut album fail to be released. But all was not lost for the Langhorne, Pennsylvania now turned Brooklyn, New York folk singer as his band's...