Author Archive
Our Lady Peace – Curve
Rating: 3 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy Once upon a time there was a band from the mystical and ice encrusted land of Canada called Our Lady Peace. They had a lead singer named Raine Maida whose vocal shenanigans put contemporary pop stars to shame.
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
The Magnetic Fields – Love at the Bottom of the Sea
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy In 1999 The Magnetic Fields released the wonderfully unique 69 Love Songs, composed originally as the score to a drag contest. More than 12 years later, Stephin Merritt and co. return to Merge Records to release their follow-up, Love at the Bottom of the Sea
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
Field Music – Plumb
Rating: 2.5 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy There is an old and abiding adage that people like to toss around when they make copies of something once wonderful: “everything old is new again.” And it is, when it’s new—when it’s created with purpose and when the artists have something to say.
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
MFK #2
Michelle Kennedy In which Michelle thinks about Rancid and what listening to Nickelback says about you…
Posted in Music Reviews, Special Features
Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy Sharon Van Etten is a tramp. But let’s be clear. We’re using tramp to mean a traveller – foot worn and strong, made stronger by her pain. A slut for love and a journey maybe…
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
Laura Gibson – La Grande
Rating: 3 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy When you listen to La Grande, Laura Gibson’s third full length album, there is little surprise. Even if you haven’t heard of her, you will know two things upon first listen: a) she is from Portland and b) La Grande has come out on Barsuk Records
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
MFK #1
Michelle Kennedy The debut of a biweekly blog from Music-Critic contributor Michelle Kennedy…
Posted in Music Reviews
John K. Samson – Provincial
Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy Only John K. Samson, Canada’s punk poet laureate, would title a song ‘Longitudinal Centre’. Longitudinal is not a word oft thrown around in pop music. Much of what Samson can and does do lyrically is not oft thrown around in pop music. Samson is, arguably, Canada’s best lyricist [...]
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
