Posted by c. benz on 06/18/2008
Once a pejorative (See Juice) the term “local” is an evolving synonym for organic/fresh. Much like your local farmer’s market, your local underground hip-hop scene is more likely to deliver something that satisfies the palate. Oregon MCs Gen.Erik, Fury, Hanif Wondir, and KWils comprise Animal Farm, a West Coast crew inspired by the best of 90s East Coast rap. While they might not have the overall skill of a lot...

Posted by Jeff Harvey on 06/16/2008
“Music is a world within itself,” a blind man once sang in the key of life. “It’s a language we all understand.” Despite completing three years of high school Spanish with nearly satisfactory marks, I am barely equipped to understand one word on Sonidos Gold, the latest release from Austin’s Latin funk outfit, Grupo Fantasma. But, I know a groove when I hear one, and this album packs them in...

Posted by Jeff Artist on 06/16/2008
Protest In Disguise is a sonically mish-mashed battle cry. But while Myself takes on most of America's ills, he still finds time to pay homage to the positive factors constructing his makeup. Overall, it's a well-balanced record, albeit slightly far reaching at times. One thing shines through right from the get; this is an intelligent dude

Posted by Will Georgi on 06/16/2008
Imagine there’s no Coldplay. It’s easy if you try. Two years after promising that they’d disappear for ‘a very long time,’ they’ve returned with a revolutionary new direction. Or at least cover art depicting the French revolution, a title inspired by Frida Kahlo, Brian Eno on production and an album that’s essentially the same as the three that preceded it.

Posted by Adam Roussell on 06/16/2008
Those of us of a certain age recall a time when anything that came out of NYC was certified dope while everything else was considered a mere gimmick. A time when the wackest rapper from the Gotham City got love and airtime from Yo MTV Raps while the best local act from Anywhere Else, USA was lucky to get a gig at a block party. That was a...

Posted by Justin Deremo on 06/16/2008
Most of the press blurbs for Don Cavalli’s Cryland make significant mention of the fact that Cavalli is a Frenchman operating in a blues-informed Southern U.S. style. It’s a substantial piece of biographical information that Don Cavalli is French, but that this aspect is always focused in conjunction with his chosen genre hints at a marketing gimmick, along the lines of (though not as extreme as) “Here is a...