“good kid, m.A.A.d. city”
While downloading this album from iTunes with excitement, all I could hear in my head was “Hi-Hi-Hi-Hii Power!” — the sound effect scratch that Kendrick’s DJ makes during one of his live shows. To say this album is highly anticipated is doing it a disservice. When Kendrick dropped Section.80 a year and a summer ago, [...]
“Half-Made Man” by Ben Sollee
Since his debut full-length album from 2008, Learning to Bend, Ben Sollee has established himself as a musician who isn’t afraid to lay it all on the line for his audiences, both emotionally and musically. Impossible to put into one genre, Sollee’s work is a unique blend of soul, jazz, and folk, combined with his [...]
“Numbers” by MellowHype
Odd Future’s tag team of Hodgy Beats and Left Brain continue to bring their unique style to the music scene. Recently releasing their second album, Numbers, MellowHype have taken a different direction on their sophomore album. Left Brain, the groups producer, raps on songs “Grill”, “La Bonita”, and “LeFlair”. The album sports “La Bonita” as [...]
“The Sound of the Life of the Mind”
It has been thirteen years since the release of Ben Folds Five’s last studio album, 1999′s The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. In that time, a Five-less Ben Folds released three solo albums and launched himself a pretty successful singer/songwriter career. In 2011, Folds reunited with bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee to record [...]
“Sugaring Season” by Beth Orton
It has always seemed contradictory when an artist approaches folk music in a modern fashion. When the key elements of a genre that prides itself in traditionalism are redefined by a musician, the question arises of whether or not their music is even folk at all. However, artists have proven time and time again that [...]
“The Carpenter” by The Avett Brothers
It’s not easy to tread the middle road between mainstream success and credibility. People are quick to pounce on the unexpected, the middling indie band turned arena rock stars, and instantly decry them for simply doing what so many other bands have done before them. After all, think about how many bands we wouldn’t have [...]
“The Rhythm You Started” by Sophie Madeleine
Much of this adorable British girls album was recorded in her home, adding to it that sweet self-layering that makes it so endearing. Some say her sound is similar to Feist, but she’s got some melodies of her own. She’s been involved in a whirlwind since her first album in 2009, Love.Life.Ukulele. Now The Rhythm [...]
“Enjoy the Company” by The Whigs
Despite its mid-September release, The Whigs’ new album Enjoy the Company reminded me of summer. The Whigs have mastered the art of feel-good rock and roll. Each song would be perfect for a road trip, late nights with friends, and summer barbecues. Of course, the album cover, which features a lone hot dog and a [...]
“Born to Sing: No Plan B” by Van Morrison
Some artists are lucky enough to make it to their tenth album and still have an audience. If they’re really, really lucky they’ll make it to their 15th album, with or without a fan base. So how does one make it to their 34th album without losing their groove? A good place to start would [...]
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Serenata de Amor Brings Cape Verde to Emerson
Serenata de Amor, a musical theater project spearheaded by visual media arts associate professor Claire Andrade-Watkins, was brought to Emerson this past year. The project is a tribute to the morna of Cape Verde and Brava set in the 1940s. Andrade-Watkins worked with a team of faculty and staff members from Emerson to bring Serenata [...]
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May 25
Boston Calling
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June 8
The XX / Grizzly Bear
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June 12
The Postal Service
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