Indie/Alternative Review | Lollipop Magazine

Pixies – EP-1 – Review

October 11, 2013

It’s a tough thing for a band that hasn’t put out new material in more than 20 years (aside from two singles) to come back like gangbusters.

Maps – Vicissitude – Review

September 17, 2013

Chilly electro indie rock that you quickly warm up to, in the vein of Junior Boys or Supersystem. Maps is one dude – James Chapman from Northampton, England.

Maps for Travelers – Change Your Name – Review

September 13, 2013

After rigorous amounts of touring and promotion, this Kansas City, MO, quartet signed to No Sleep Records and has released their debut full-length.

No Age – An Object – Review

September 6, 2013

“An Impression” has a dreamy, hypnotic quality to it, and that’s before the old-school psychedelic sounds creep in towards the end.

Pillar Point – Diamond Mine – Review

September 5, 2013

It’s tough to describe the smiling sounds of tracks like “The Reeling” and “Sleepyhead” as anything but celebratory.

William Beckett – Genuine & Counterfeit – Review

August 22, 2013

Unfailingly earnest indie rally-rock from the former frontman of The Academy Is… (and a singer on the “Snakes on a Plane” song, score!).

Wampire – Curiosity – Review

August 13, 2013

“The Hearse” dances its way into your heart. Bass-heavy and poppy, with surer vocals, and head-bobbing infection.

Alkaline Trio – My Shame Is True – Review

August 9, 2013

They polished the punk into rockin’ teen anthems, songwriting know-how and the brilliant production team in Fort Collins shine through: Authentic and FUN.

The Pigeon Detectives – We Met At Sea – Review

August 8, 2013

This Leeds band are known for their active live shows, and We Met At Sea is touted (by the band) as an unpredictable offering, more natural and plugged in.

Fossil Collective – Tell Where I Lie – Review

August 5, 2013

This UK duo aim to strip it bare and focus on the songwriting of their childhood heroes (Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills and Nash).

Low – The Invisible Way – Review

July 5, 2013

Sparse yet majestic, thoughtful yet moving (slowly, of course), finding sparkling interest in the otherwise sprawling spaces.

Billy Bragg – Tooth & Nail – Review

July 3, 2013

Billy Bragg is a beloved everyman activist and protest singer/songwriter, and if you don’t know his work, stop posting stupid comments on Facebook and find out.

Pissed Jeans – Honeys – Review

July 1, 2013

Noisy rock with hardcore abound make Pennsylvania-based Pissed Jeans fourth outing (second by noise-master Alex Newport) a gem worth waiting four years for.

The Virginmarys – King of Conflict – Review

June 28, 2013

Like the first time you heard Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” (or The White Stripes), you feel the build, lean in, and get ready for the blues explosion.

John Wheeler – Un-American Gothic – Review

June 27, 2013

Freshly-shaved Hayseed Dixie frontman John Wheeler releases his debut solo outing, offering a couple covers and 10 originals.

Generationals – Heza – Review

June 26, 2013

New Orleans’ school chums Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer hop from Cure-inspired dance (“Boys Don’t Cry,” not the somber sobbers) to Passion Pit falsetto yippies.

Deathfix – Review

June 25, 2013

Ex-Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty and Blowoff’s Rich Morel offer up a small, diverse, often darkly reverbed collection of mature cool.

The Ruby Suns – Christopher – Review

June 24, 2013

Miss the ’80s goodness of Tears for Fears and Wham? Check out The Ruby Suns.

Ocean Colour Scene – Painting – Review

June 17, 2013

Coming up on 25 years together, Britpop staples Ocean Colour Scene never had the stateside success that Oasis or Blur did.

The Strokes – Comedown Machine – Review

June 14, 2013

Comedown Machine is a welcome-back to the right side of the street after two majorly disappointing albums.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Specter At The Feast – Review

March 19, 2013

BRMC didn’t seem to have the same clarity of vision to hang with the garage revivalists they were lumped in with, but time had been good to them.

The Photo Atlas – Stuck In a Honeytrap – Review

March 15, 2013

When SPIN says that The Photo Atlas reminds them of At The Drive-In and Bloc Party, expectations are high. It’s nothing that’s gonna knock your socks off.

Starflyer 59 – IAMACEO – Review

March 8, 2013

On IAMACEO, Jason Martin reflects on the travails of both life and faith, two subjects he’s always pontificating on, especially after the death of his father.

The Casket Lottery – Real Fear – Review

March 5, 2013

A solid handful of releases to their credit, “In the Branches” is one of many classy tunes that show emo and hardcore tendencies, matured by time and talent.

I Hate Our Freedom – This Year’s Best Disaster – Review

March 4, 2013

Second release from this Brooklyn band with members of Garrison, Texas Is the Reason, Thursday, and Milhouse. Originally released in early 2012.