[This review appears in All the Rage.]

Sarah Blasko
The Overture & The Underscore
(Low Altitude/Dew Process)

Coming across as a much more intense Sarah McLachlan or a less silly Dido, Sarah Blasko revels in singing long notes on her new album, The Overture & The Underscore. Blasko’s voice is huskier than either woman and it is pushed to the front of the mix. Its grit and the big notes focus the listener’s attention. Often you may find yourself unaware of the accompaniment in the songs. (more…)

[This piece appeared in the Rage.]

For the past 20 years (you heard us, twenty years), the Springwater has played host to perhaps the friendliest open-mic night in town. With no cover and no audition required, the monthly Working Stiff Jamboree is certainly the most democratic open mic. This Saturday the little venue that could is marking the 20th anniversary of the Jamboree. (more…)

[This review appears in All the Rage.]

Fruit Bats
Spelled in Bones
(Sub Pop)

Chicago’s Fruit Bats float somewhere in between chamber pop and alt-country. At times the music on their third long-player, Spelled in Bones, arches into space thanks to a brilliant combination of feedback, synths and the e-bow. But always, the tunes are kept grounded through earthy acoustic guitars and pianos. (more…)

[Review for All the Rage.]

Swan Dive
Popcorn and a Mama Who Loves Me Too
(Victor Entertainment)

Like a post-rock Carpenters, Swan Dive play jazzy lounge music that takes classic pop forms and stretches their wings with horns, soft keys, vibes and plenty of “ooh-la-la‿ vocals. Their new release for the Japanese label Victor Entertainment, Popcorn and a Mama Who Loves Me Too, offers twelve tracks that indulge in Bacharach-esque swing. (more…)

[I wrote this review for the Rage but they killed it before publication because they were running another piece on the band.]

Paramore
All We Know Is Falling
(Fueled By Ramen)

They’ve slipped under the Nashville radar, but Franklin, TN’s Paramore may be better off for it. By dodging the critical eye of the Nashville scene, the young band may have managed to develop their sound without the input of a thousand cross-armed hipsters. Their debut album on the well-known Fueled By Ramen label, All We Know Is Falling, shows a band sure of their ability and creativity. (more…)

[This piece appears in All The Rage as a preview for VH's next show in Nashville.]

Venus Hum’s newest collection is the EP Songs for Superheroes—five songs written and recorded over the past few years for various projects. Oddly, though the collection isn’t actually new material, we find the trio sounding more confident and experimental than ever. (more…)