Nirvana
Nevermind (Deluxe Edition)
Sub Pop/DGC/UME
by David Chiu
Nirvana and their 1991 album Nevermind turned the music world upside down. Twenty years ago, with this record, punk music returned with a vengeance and brought Seattle grunge to the masses. Historical context aside, Nevermind is a great punk record. Continue reading “CD Review: Nirvana”
Lindsey Buckingham
Town Hall
Sept. 27, 2011
Review by David Chiu
When Lindsey Buckingham performed two songs from his brilliant 1992 album Out of the Cradle — “All My Sorrows” and “Turn It On”–it was a most welcomed aspect of his show at Town Hall Tuesday night. That is because five years ago during the Under the Skin tour, he performed a terrific set at the same venue-—but no songs from Out of the Cradle (not that I recalled). So it was really refreshing that a few songs from that excellent record became part of this current tour in support of his finest album yet, Seeds We Sow.
Continue reading “Live Review: Lindsey Buckingham”
Sting
25 Years
Cherrytree/A&M/UME
By David Chiu
Sting has come a long way from the early punk and art rock sound that he forged as a member of the Police. His music as a solo artist has certainly matured from that first phase of his career, embracing along the way jazz, R&B, world, dance-electronic, and singer-songwriter pop. 25 Years is a new 3-CD collection that spans his solo career from 1985’s The Dream of the Blue Turtles through last year’s Symphonicities. The result is a consistent and successful body of work that has lasted far longer than’ the Police’s brief output. Continue reading “CD Review: Sting”
Dum Dum Girls
Only in Dreams
Sub Pop
by David Chiu
Dum Dum Girls second full-length album, Only in Dreams, could potentially be the female quartet’s breakthrough. It’s a brilliant follow-up to I Will Be–its seems more accessible-sounding than the previous one–but still retains the group’s signature sound: a combination of the ’60s girl group sounds, Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production, garage rock and punk, and lyrics of romantic yearning. Continue reading “CD Review: Dum Dum Girls”
Abba
Super Trouper (Deluxe Edition)
Polar/UME
by David Chiu
ABBA has always been known for hit singles, but albums? Except to die-hard fans, the casual listener may hard pressed to think of a definitive ABBA album, unlike the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper or Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Super Trouper, the group’s 1981 album, could be a potential starting point for those who want to seek more ABBA go beyond the usual greatest hits record. Continue reading “CD Review: ABBA”
Laura Marling
A Creature I Don’t Know
Ribbon Music
by David Chiu
Laura Marling turns in a sterling effort with her third album, A Creature I Don’t Know. It’s an introspective folk album for the most part and yet the music seems to transcend that genre in other ways too. Continue reading “CD Review: Laura Marling”
Teena Marie
Lady T
Irons in the Fire
Motown/UME
By David Chiu
One of music’s most notable losses from last year was the unexpected passing of the great R& B singer Teena Marie. But her legacy shines on through these recent reissues of her Motown-era albums, Lady T and Irons in the Fire. And just like what she embodied in her voice and attitude throughout her career, these records ooze with both sensuality and passion. Continue reading “CD Review: Teena Marie”
The Velvet Underground
ICON
Polydor/UME
By David Chiu
This collection is purely for those who have never heard of the Velvet Underground or who are getting into the band’s music for the first time; after this, those same people might be tempted to get all of the band’s first four studio albums. Continue reading “CD Review: The Velvet Underground”
Blondie
Panic of Girls
By David Chiu
Blondie’s ninth studio album, Panic of Girls, really encompasses what has always been unique about this band: the willingness to embrace and incorporate different styles into their music. Continue reading “CD Review: Blondie”
Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix in the West
Winterland (single disc version)
Experience Hendrix/Legacy
By David Chiu
A double dose of live Hendrix has recently come in the form of two recently released sets that deliver the same result: the guitar hero and his band as mesmerizing performers who leave the audience satisfied by the sheer force of the music. Continue reading “CD Review: Jimi Hendrix”
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