Reviews
From the classics to the latest, the greatest to the lamest, we put alternative albums under the critical griller. Weighed up for content, measured for artistry, and considered for longevity, we rate an array of indie-rock releases with unfailing honesty.
Dead Man's Bones 'Dead Man's Bones'
Clearly the greatest nightmare-doo-wop-with-children's-choir soundtrack to an imagined monster stage-play recorded by a Hollywood celebrity ever.
Clearly the greatest nightmare-doo-wop-with-children's-choir soundtrack to an imagined monster stage-play recorded by a Hollywood celebrity ever.
The Flaming Lips 'Embryonic'
For most, the double album is a place to harness one’s conceptual ideas. For Wayne Coyne, it's a chance to deliberately lose the plot.
For most, the double album is a place to harness one’s conceptual ideas. For Wayne Coyne, it's a chance to deliberately lose the plot.
Kings of Convenience 'Declaration of Dependence'
After five years apart, Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe are back on record together, writing a love-letter to each other.
After five years apart, Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe are back on record together, writing a love-letter to each other.
Michael Hurley 'Ida con Snock'
The latest LP for the progenitor of the New Weird America is familiar Hurley: simultaneously wacky and touching.
The latest LP for the progenitor of the New Weird America is familiar Hurley: simultaneously wacky and touching.
Built to Spill 'There is No Enemy'
Doug Martsch and co sound like there’s nothing they’d rather be doing than making this record.
Doug Martsch and co sound like there’s nothing they’d rather be doing than making this record.
Devendra Banhart 'What Will We Be'
Unlike recent Banhart records, here the ambling, genre-dabbling, pastichey feel isn't a product of lazy happenstance, but written into the album's ambition.
Unlike recent Banhart records, here the ambling, genre-dabbling, pastichey feel isn't a product of lazy happenstance, but written into the album's ambition.
Dead Man's Bones 'Dead Man's Bones'
Clearly the greatest nightmare-doo-wop-with-children's-choir soundtrack to an imagined monster movie recorded by a Hollywood celebrity ever.
Clearly the greatest nightmare-doo-wop-with-children's-choir soundtrack to an imagined monster movie recorded by a Hollywood celebrity ever.
Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions 'Through the Devil Softly'
Where the Mazzy Star starlet's ever whisper is as tangible yet elusive as the breeze.
Where the Mazzy Star starlet's ever whisper is as tangible yet elusive as the breeze.
The Big Pink 'A Brief History of Love'
In 2009, the emperor’s new clothes come in a hot new shade of Big Pink.
In 2009, the emperor’s new clothes come in a hot new shade of Big Pink.
Fool's Gold 'Fool's Gold'
This Los Angeles-born Afro-Islamic-Hebrew jam-band is the music world's digitized global village made manifest.
This Los Angeles-born Afro-Islamic-Hebrew jam-band is the music world's digitized global village made manifest.
Why? 'Eskimo Snow'
The master of the lyrical overshare, Yoni Wolf views the world as his "lit confessional marquee."
The master of the lyrical overshare, Yoni Wolf views the world as his "lit confessional marquee."
Gossip 'Music for Men'
Gossip's major-label debut sounds somewhere between stilted and self-conscious.
Gossip's major-label debut sounds somewhere between stilted and self-conscious.
Upcoming Album Release Dates
Sort through the glut of new releases with this guide to the upcoming indie-music release schedule. As always, all dates are subject to radical and whimsical change.
Sort through the glut of new releases with this guide to the upcoming indie-music release schedule. As always, all dates are subject to radical and whimsical change.
Julian Plenti 'Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper'
From Garth Brooks as Chris Gaines to Beyoncé Knowles as Sasha Fierce, the musical alter-ego has a long and pitiful history.
From Garth Brooks as Chris Gaines to Beyoncé Knowles as Sasha Fierce, the musical alter-ego has a long and pitiful history.
Yo La Tengo 'Popular Songs'
For their 14th-ish album, Yo La Tengo return to the 'variety show' format of 'I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One.'
For their 14th-ish album, Yo La Tengo return to the 'variety show' format of 'I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One.'
Handsome Furs 'Face Control'
HF have authored an album as Russian travelogue, journeying deep into the dark heart of the neo-Soviet-Union.
HF have authored an album as Russian travelogue, journeying deep into the dark heart of the neo-Soviet-Union.
Dinosaur Jr 'Farm'
Has there been a better rock'n'roll comeback than the return of the original Dinosaur?
Has there been a better rock'n'roll comeback than the return of the original Dinosaur?
Discovery 'LP'
Vampire Weekend + Ra Ra Riot + Copious Amounts of Auto-Tune = Discovery.
Vampire Weekend + Ra Ra Riot + Copious Amounts of Auto-Tune = Discovery.
Tortoise 'Beacons of Ancestorship'
Five years since 'It's All Around You,' these slow-and-steady titans of mighty instrumentalism have picked up right where they left off.
Five years since 'It's All Around You,' these slow-and-steady titans of mighty instrumentalism have picked up right where they left off.
Dirty Projectors 'Bitte Orca'
After years of toiling in the shadows of obscurity, Dirty Projectors' time to shine is now.
After years of toiling in the shadows of obscurity, Dirty Projectors' time to shine is now.
Sonic Youth 'The Eternal'
With their rocking 16th LP, the forever-noisy greybeards prove themselves to be the Eternal Youth.
With their rocking 16th LP, the forever-noisy greybeards prove themselves to be the Eternal Youth.
Alternative Music Reviews and Recommendations - Top 10 Lists - Defini…
Reviews and Top 10 Lists to help you make sense of the sprawling alternative music realm...
Reviews and Top 10 Lists to help you make sense of the sprawling alternative music realm...
God Help the Girl 'God Help the Girl'
The soundtrack to Stuart Murdoch's imagined musical doesn't measure up to a Belle and Sebastian album.
The soundtrack to Stuart Murdoch's imagined musical doesn't measure up to a Belle and Sebastian album.
St. Vincent 'Actor'
Playing the part of St. Vincent, all the world's a stage for Annie Clark.
Playing the part of St. Vincent, all the world's a stage for Annie Clark.
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band 'Outer South'
If 'Conor Oberst' gave off the wafting aroma of a sausage party, 'Outer South' positively reeks of it.
If 'Conor Oberst' gave off the wafting aroma of a sausage party, 'Outer South' positively reeks of it.
Papercuts 'You Can Have What You Want'
The work of gifted producer Jason Quever, Papercuts' retro-pop records are mood in search of a tune.
The work of gifted producer Jason Quever, Papercuts' retro-pop records are mood in search of a tune.
Vetiver 'Tight Knit'
'Tight Knit' plays like the musical equivalent of building a model aeroplane: precious and painstaking.
'Tight Knit' plays like the musical equivalent of building a model aeroplane: precious and painstaking.
Clues 'Clues'
Alden Penner's post-Unicorns outfit debuts with an album of dense, dark, distorted, '90s-ish alt-rock.
Alden Penner's post-Unicorns outfit debuts with an album of dense, dark, distorted, '90s-ish alt-rock.
Grizzly Bear 'Veckatimest'
Grizzly Bear's glorious third album is wondrous in its grandest gestures and its smallest details.
Grizzly Bear's glorious third album is wondrous in its grandest gestures and its smallest details.
Here We Go Magic 'Here We Go Magic'
After two albums of cold classicism, Luke Temple is getting warmer, warmer...
After two albums of cold classicism, Luke Temple is getting warmer, warmer...
Phoenix 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix'
Every time Phoenix releases an album, you're guaranteed a smattering of killer pop-songs.
Every time Phoenix releases an album, you're guaranteed a smattering of killer pop-songs.
Jeffrey Lewis ''Em Are I'
Once again, the anti-folk bard searches for the silver lining on a dark cloud.
Once again, the anti-folk bard searches for the silver lining on a dark cloud.
Bat for Lashes 'Two Suns'
Natasha Khan's second Bat for Lashes record mixes its metaphors for duality.
Natasha Khan's second Bat for Lashes record mixes its metaphors for duality.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'It's Blitz!'
The third YYY LP finds the band finally comfortable in their own commercially-accessible skin.
The third YYY LP finds the band finally comfortable in their own commercially-accessible skin.
Crazy Dreams Band 'Crazy Dreams Band'
A joyous, jam-band racket that stumbles a line between classic-rock-approximation and shambolic capitulation.
A joyous, jam-band racket that stumbles a line between classic-rock-approximation and shambolic capitulation.
The Decemberists 'The Hazards of Love'
Long live the rock-opera! So sayeth these ramblin’, politickin’, folk-pop purveyors of twee antiquity.
Long live the rock-opera! So sayeth these ramblin’, politickin’, folk-pop purveyors of twee antiquity.
Various 'Dark Was the Night'
The National's Dessner brothers have solicited every indie act in existence to help them achieve one goal: making a charity compilation that doesn't suck.
The National's Dessner brothers have solicited every indie act in existence to help them achieve one goal: making a charity compilation that doesn't suck.
Franz Ferdinand 'Tonight: Franz Ferdinand'
After three years on the sidelines, the gamine Glasgow art-punks come back with designs on the dancefloor.
After three years on the sidelines, the gamine Glasgow art-punks come back with designs on the dancefloor.
Andrew Bird 'Noble Beast'
The Chicagoan multi-instrumentalist continues to forge further into his own unique take on Americana.
The Chicagoan multi-instrumentalist continues to forge further into his own unique take on Americana.
Animal Collective 'Merriweather Post Pavilion'
Releasing their third classic album in five years has cemented Animal Collective's reputation as one of the most important, distinctive voices in modern American music.
Releasing their third classic album in five years has cemented Animal Collective's reputation as one of the most important, distinctive voices in modern American music.
TV on the Radio 'Dear Science'
TV on the Radio's 'Dear Science' has been acclaimed as one of the greatest albums ever made. Which is definitely getting a little carried away about it.
TV on the Radio's 'Dear Science' has been acclaimed as one of the greatest albums ever made. Which is definitely getting a little carried away about it.
Conor Oberst 'Conor Oberst'
Conor Oberst's first solo album since his adolescence is a dire, tired embrace of musical middle-age.
Conor Oberst's first solo album since his adolescence is a dire, tired embrace of musical middle-age.
Jenny Lewis 'Acid Tongue'
Jenny Lewis's glossy second solo record is a gussied-up, unconvincing attempt at making a classic-sounding album.
Jenny Lewis's glossy second solo record is a gussied-up, unconvincing attempt at making a classic-sounding album.
Spiritualized 'Songs in A&E'
Jason Pierce's first album after a near-death bout with pneumonia is an inauspicious, familiar-feeling comeback.
Jason Pierce's first album after a near-death bout with pneumonia is an inauspicious, familiar-feeling comeback.
Pepi Ginsberg 'Red'
With her hoarse voice persistently reminiscent of both Patti Smith and Bob Dylan, it's no surprise Pepi Ginsberg so grandly evokes the archetype of the rock-n-roll poet.
With her hoarse voice persistently reminiscent of both Patti Smith and Bob Dylan, it's no surprise Pepi Ginsberg so grandly evokes the archetype of the rock-n-roll poet.
Arthur Russell 'Love is Overtaking Me'
Arthur Russell reissue mania continues, with this collection of country-ish cuts culled together to coincide with the documentary 'Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell.'
Arthur Russell reissue mania continues, with this collection of country-ish cuts culled together to coincide with the documentary 'Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell.'
Megapuss 'Megapuss'
The debut disc for Devendra Banhart's side-project is an in-joke made public.
The debut disc for Devendra Banhart's side-project is an in-joke made public.
Crystal Stilts 'Alight of Night'
The moody, muted debut from the New Yorker quartet dowses pop-songs in lo-fidelity reverb in search of spectral qualities.
The moody, muted debut from the New Yorker quartet dowses pop-songs in lo-fidelity reverb in search of spectral qualities.
Chairlift 'Does You Inspire You'
On their debut album, the New Yorker trio dabble in keytone kitsch, retrofuturist imagery, and, on occasions, country balladry.
On their debut album, the New Yorker trio dabble in keytone kitsch, retrofuturist imagery, and, on occasions, country balladry.
MGMT 'Oracular Spectacular'
The hype-startin' New Yorker duo MGMT have made a genre-jugglin' debut of questionable artistic merit.
The hype-startin' New Yorker duo MGMT have made a genre-jugglin' debut of questionable artistic merit.
Ra Ra Riot 'The Rhumb Line'
The first LP-proper from these pals-of-Vampire-Weekend shows a band begging for brighter lights and bigger stages.
The first LP-proper from these pals-of-Vampire-Weekend shows a band begging for brighter lights and bigger stages.
Max Tundra 'Parallax Error Beheads You'
Six years after his last LP, Ben Jacobs brings his neurotic lyricism and hyper-manic electro-pop back in style.
Six years after his last LP, Ben Jacobs brings his neurotic lyricism and hyper-manic electro-pop back in style.
Chad VanGaalen 'Soft Airplane'
The third album for the self-styled Canadian mystic is a typical mixed-bag, an ad-hoc assemblage of mismatched instrumentage that occasionally seems magical, often not.
The third album for the self-styled Canadian mystic is a typical mixed-bag, an ad-hoc assemblage of mismatched instrumentage that occasionally seems magical, often not.
Brendan Canning 'Something for All of Us'
Brendan Canning's solo debut is like a duller, flatter take on Broken Social Scene's collectivist mediocrity.
Brendan Canning's solo debut is like a duller, flatter take on Broken Social Scene's collectivist mediocrity.
Parenthetical Girls 'Entanglements'
The Portland outfit's latest longplayer marries jaunty orchestrations with lyrical grotesqueries, unexpectedly making for one of 2008's best discs.
The Portland outfit's latest longplayer marries jaunty orchestrations with lyrical grotesqueries, unexpectedly making for one of 2008's best discs.
Death Vessel 'Nothing Is Precious Enough For Us'
The second Death Vessel album for super-high-voiced finger-picking songsmith Joel Thibodeau seeks to further his musical range.
The second Death Vessel album for super-high-voiced finger-picking songsmith Joel Thibodeau seeks to further his musical range.
Stereolab 'Chemical Chords'
Stereolab's latest longplayer sounds exactly like every other record they've ever made. But it's not exactly like every other record they've ever made.
Stereolab's latest longplayer sounds exactly like every other record they've ever made. But it's not exactly like every other record they've ever made.
Vetiver 'Thing Of The Past'
San Franciscan flower children Vetiver front up with an album of covers drawn from the days of yore.
San Franciscan flower children Vetiver front up with an album of covers drawn from the days of yore.
Vampire Weekend "Vampire Weekend"
Vampire Weekend's hype-starting debut disc is one of the biggest alternative albums in aeons. But is it worthy of all the acclaim?
Vampire Weekend's hype-starting debut disc is one of the biggest alternative albums in aeons. But is it worthy of all the acclaim?
Death Cab For Cutie "Narrow Stairs"
Death Cab For Cutie are back with their seventh album, Narrow Stairs. After building a career around Ben Gibbard's sensitive sentimentalism, for their latest longplayer Death Cab sound a little ornery.
Death Cab For Cutie are back with their seventh album, Narrow Stairs. After building a career around Ben Gibbard's sensitive sentimentalism, for their latest longplayer Death Cab sound a little ornery.