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Jeff's Picks - Reviewed by Jeff Niesel
Jeff Niesel started writing about rock ’n’ roll some 20 years ago when he stood in the pouring rain to hitch hike his way to see R.E.M. on their Life’s Rich Pageant tour. Since that time, he's written for various daily newspapers, alt-weeklies, magazines and websites and now writes for the Cleveland Scene, one of the country's oldest alt-weeklies, and is also the editor of Hearsay.
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Richard Thompson , Dream Attic
Another solid collection of new songs from the veteran singer-guitarist, who just happens to be one helluva axe man, too.
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JJ Grey and Mofro, Georgia Warhorse
This bluesy duo alternately evokes the Black Keys and Joe Cocker on its fine new album.
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Jukebox the Ghost , Everything Under the Sun
Like They Might be Giants, Jukebox the Ghost plays quirky indie rock that suggests these guys are some of the cleverest songwriters around.
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American Bang , American Bang
Swaggering Southern rock from a Nashville outfit that has a Black Crowes-like vibe.
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Eels , Tomorrow Morning
Another great collection of offbeat ballads and avant blues from the man who calls himself E. |
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Jenny and Johnny , I'm Having Fun Now
Singer-songwriters Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice team up for this collection of crisp pop tunes and sparkling harmonies.
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!!!, Strange Weather, Isn’t It?
Recorded in Berlin, Germany, this is a jittery electronica-like album that’s surprisingly danceable.
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Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan, Hawk
Ex-Belle and Sebastian singer Isobel Campbell hooks up again with Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan for this moody, down-tempo album.
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Ra Ra Riot, The Orchard
This indie band from upstate New York returns with an album of orchestral indie rock.
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Cotton Jones, Tall Hours in the Glowstream
A surprisingly soulful effort from this band known more for jamming. |
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JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys, Fidelity
A sultry offering from Pretenders’ singer Chrissie Hynde and Welsh singer-songwriter JP Jones.
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Los Lobos, Tin Can Trust
Veteran L.A. band offers up a solid quotient of Latin rock and traditional Mexican music.
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Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Come and Get It
White soul/R&B singer makes his major label debut with this great collection of tunes that have an old school vibe.
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Budos Band, Budos Band III
This instrumental album from the Staten Island funk/soul/jazz act has a cool retro feel to it.
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The Good, The Bad and the Weird (movie)
An Asian Western that’s epic in scope and features some of the most complexly choreographed shootouts you’ll ever see. |
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Cut Chemist, The Litmus Test
Cut Chemist (of Ozomatli/Jurassic 5 fame) delivers a stirring scratch-happy collection of beats. Perfect for house parties. |
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Jimmy Gnecco, Heart
Not unlike Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Ours’ Jimmy Gnecco has a distinctive falsetto; he really comes into its own on this fine album. |
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Francis and the Lights, It’ll Be Better
This New York synth-pop band brings a singer-songwriter approach to this appealing full-length debut. |
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Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Couldn’t Stand the Weather: Legacy Edition
Bonus tracks and an extra disc of a great live performance distinguish this reissue, designed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the talented blues guitarist’s death. |
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Arcade Fire, Suburbs
Another moody offering from the Montreal indie rock band that spent two years meticulously recording this excellent album. |
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The Books, The Way Out
A pastiche of found sounds and spoken word vocals, some of the music on this avant duo’s latest release could pass as self-hypnosis tapes. Defiantly unique. |
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Tom Jones, Praise & Blame
The 70-year-old Welsh singer sounds great on this new studio album, a collection of blues and gospel standards. |
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Court Yard Hounds, Court Yard Hounds
Two Dixie Chicks return to the spotlight with this rock solid album of country ballads and mid-tempo pop tunes. |
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Concrete Blonde, Bloodletting
To mark its 20th anniversary, the L.A. band’s best album (which yielded the hit ballad “Joey”) arrives in re-mastered form. |
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Mission of Burma, Vs. Standard
The Boston post-punk band’s only studio album is one of the best albums of the ’80s. |
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Various Artists, Eat, Pray, Love Soundtrack
An indie store exclusive this soundtrack features a new Eddie Vedder tune and classic rock tracks from Neil Young and Sly & the Family Stone. |
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Griffin House, The Learner
Nashville-based singer-songwriter returns with an introspective album about his newfound sobriety. |
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The Roots, How I Got Over
Veteran hip-hop group shows off its stellar chops on this jazzy new disc. |
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Various Artists, Despicable Me Soundtrack
The Neptunes’ Pharrell sings the groovy title tune on this soundtrack to the animated film about a curmudgeon who has a change of heart. |
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Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (DVD)
Terrific new documentary recounts the Canadian power trio’s rise to fame. |
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Miles Davis, The Complete Miles Davis
This limited collection includes the influential trumpet player’s entire catalogue. |
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M.I.A., Maya
Another good batch of electro-clash and hip-hop from the grenre-crossing Brit singer and rapper. |
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R.E.M., Fables of the Reconstruction
Re-mastered to mark its 25th anniversary, R.E.M.’s third full-length comes with a bonus disc of unreleased demos. |
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Wolf Parade, Expo 86
Montreal-based indie rockers have returned with their most cohesive album to date. |
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