Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
The elemental simplicity of the chord changes and the weary, indomitable creak of LeBlanc's vocals support a classic sense of melody and a distinctive artistic sensibility.
Read More »Music Review: Luke LeBlanc – ‘Fugue State’
Album Reviews
Music Reviews: Wilco’s ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ (20th Anniversary Edition), plus Gene McDaniels and the Heptones
A box set explores the creative process behind Wilco's 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.' Plus, reviews of CDs from Gene McDaniels and the Heptones.
Read More »Music Reviews: ‘Gotta Get a Good Thing Goin’ – Black Music in Britain in the Sixties,’ plus Elliott Murphy and John Fullbright
A new anthology surveys music by Black artists in the UK in the 1960s. Also: reviews of new albums by Elliott Murphy and John Fullbright.
Read More »Music Reviews: Joni Mitchell’s ‘The Asylum Albums,’ plus Mel Carter, Dr. John, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Mountain City Four
A Joni Mitchell box set contains three early 1970s studio albums and a live set. Plus, reviews of CDs featuring Mel Carter, Dr. John, New Riders, and the Mountain City Four.
Read More »Music Reviews: Freedy Johnston, I Draw Slow, Jimmy Carpenter, and the Commonheart
Freedy Johnston delivers a winning pop/rock set, plus new releases from I Draw Slow, Jimmy Carpenter, and the Commonheart.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Kinks’ ‘Muswell Hillbillies/Everybody’s in Show-biz – Everybody’s a Star’ plus John McCutcheon, Collective Soul, Mick Kolassa, and Brian Lisik
A big box set marks the 50th anniversary of the Kinks' "Muswell Hillbillies" and "Everybody's in Show-biz – Everybody's a Star"
Read More »Music Review: ‘Against the Odds 1974–1982’ Delivers a Massive Dose of Blondie
Blondie's long-awaited career-spanning anthology includes all six of the band's peak-period albums plus dozens of bonus tracks.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Chieftains, Dead Horses, Sensational Country Blues Wonders!, 3 Pairs of Boots, Robin Lane, Martha Spencer, and Buck Owens
Reviews of seven new releases, including CDs from Ireland's Chieftains, country's Buck Owens, and bluegrass-based Martha Spencer.
Read More »Music Review: Ezra Furman – ‘All of us Flames’
'All of us Flames' from Ezra Furman is not only one of the best albums of the year, but one of the best of the past decade.
Read More »Music Reviews: Mariel Buckley, plus Forrest McCurren, Ever More Nest, and Katy Guillen & the Drive
Canada's Mariel Buckley opens up on her excellent sophomore album. Plus, reviews of albums from Forrest McCurren, Ever More Nest, and Katy Guillen & the Drive
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