Comparative Reality

I don't have a problem with being contrary. In fact, I'll just go ahead and admit that I, at times, revel in it. But it does lead to moments of self-doubt. "Self," you might say, "I'm starting to doubt you. Because I keep hearing that Band X is really g… more »

Or SVIIB, as they abbreviate their name. I like the harmonies, but I'm not a huge fan of trance music. Although I really liked this initially, after a few listens I'm starting to think that it would just be background music. Nice background music, bu… more »

Fleet Foxes I recommend them with a bit of a caveat: I'm not sure that I'll stick with them for long. I like the music, but it's a bit more folky than what I tend to listen to. That said, their harmonies are damned good. The quintet describe… more »

And moving from funk to synth-pop: Ladytron. Who decided that sticking with the Witching Hour formula was a good idea, and I'm not going to fault them for that. And darned if I don't agree with Pitchfork's review of the new album. (As a geeky as… more »

Music: I know something about it, and my taste is verifiably better than yours. (If pressed, I'll admit that I know less than I'd like to, and I'd point to people who know far, far more than I do. But at the moment, I'll admit no such thing.) I f… more »