Lollipop Magazine

Capital Lights – Rhythm ‘N’ Moves – Review

September 10, 2012

Can you forgive the use of autotune in 2012? Your answer will go a long way toward your enjoyment of “Caroline,” a single off Capital Light’s Rhythm ‘N’ Moves.

The Grates – Secret Rituals – Review

September 5, 2012

Start with The Metrics’ electro breathy coo, add a mere hint of Hole/Breeders grunginess, and let it swell to a bubbling rock anthem.

Husky – Forever So – Review

September 4, 2012

This Aussie quartet prefers somber songsmithing to brazen self-promotion. While not setting the world on fire, Husky sure does write some good songs.

Dusted – Total Dust – Review

August 24, 2012

Brian Borcherdt (Holy Fuck) and Leon Taheny (Bruce Peninsula) team up to make lo-fi, fuzzy, glowing indie rock. More Spiritualized than synthy dance crap.

Japandroids – Celebration Rock – Review

August 17, 2012

Anyone who wished fun. and Passion Pit were rowdier, noisier, less auto-tuned mom-love (fun.) and falsetto kiddie-chorused (PP), Japanoids are worth a listen.

of Montreal – Paralytic Stalks – Review

August 13, 2012

The least one-man-show of Montreal album yet, but it’s exploding with ideas barely pursued. Fragmented would be polite.

Beachwood Sparks – The Tarnished Gold – Review

July 31, 2012

First album in 11 years for this ’60/’70s California sunshine-style band. “Sparks Fly Again” provides a pleasant Grateful Deadsian jam for summer roadtrips.

Jack White – Blunderbuss – Review

July 27, 2012

I hate to use the term “watered-down White Stripes,” which I’m sure someone out there has used to describe Blunderbuss, but I’m almost forced to.

Grand Duchy – Let the People Speak – Review

July 20, 2012

Though a commendable effort at creating an alternative universe, this is still more of a hodgepodge of interesting moments at the expense of real songs.

Motion City Soundtrack – Go – Review

July 20, 2012

Motion City Soundtrack are back on Epitaph, home to their first three albums (2003-2007). “True Romance” continues the altpop tradition.

Scott Lucas & the Married Men – Blood Half Moon – Review

July 16, 2012

Local H howler Scott Lucas gets quieter and darker, more somber some might say, with his new band and their second full-length.

Scott Lucas & the Married Men – Blood Half Moon – Review

July 13, 2012

Lucas’s meaty guitar is more prominent among the big band bombast. The sheer volume of Blood Half Moon separates it from the Married Men debut.

King Tuff – Review

July 9, 2012

Garagey rock, recorded in Detroit, vocals that start mirror-staring introspection and wind up howling catchily over swaggering guitar and thumping beats.

Brothers of Brazil – On My Way – Review

July 2, 2012

Two brothers from Brazil who include some punk rock showmanship, some ’80s new wave smooth vocals, with samba and synths and ol’ timey rock’n’roll thrown in.

The Dandy Warhols – This Machine – Review

July 1, 2012

The album’s first single is a dark, mellow number, less reaching than The Kink’s classic “Alcohol,” but just as roomy, heartfelt, and simply beautiful.

The All-American Rejects – Kids In The Street – Review

July 1, 2012

From power pop swagger to synthpop dance to throat-catching sobbers, The All-American Rejects have still got it by the boatload.

Tallhart – Bloodlines – Review

July 1, 2012

Tampa-based Tallhart are the first band released by Say Anything’s Max Bemis’ Rory Records through Equal Vision. And it doesn’t sound like Say Anything.

Reptar – Body Faucet – Review

July 1, 2012

Athens, GA’s bright and shiny college rock is alive and well with enthusiastic indie kids like Reptar.

Retribution Gospel Choir – The Revolution – Review

July 1, 2012

This four-song EP is classic, anthemic rock with power pop sensibilities.

Hot Water Music – Exister – Review

July 1, 2012

Nearly 20 years in and Hot Water Music still knows how to roll up their sleeves and grind out some punk-flavored rock with the best of them.

Matt Skiba and the Sekrets – Babylon – Review

June 1, 2012

Matt Skiba has a history of making great punk pop as frontman of Alkaline Trio, so it should come as no surprise that his winning streak continues on Babylon.

Simon Spire – No Solid Ground – Review

May 15, 2012

New Zealand’s Simon Spire brings the wide-eyed pop on the No Solid Ground EP. Like Death Cab for Cutie without any of the frowns.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Aufheben – Review

April 27, 2012

The Brian Jonestown Massacre have been around for quite awhile now, releasing neo-psychedelic records and building an underground following.

We Are The Ocean – Go Now and Live – Review

April 15, 2012

“What It Feels Like” has a big, bulletproof chorus, the kind of stuff that has won the band a loyal following in the UK.

Tony Sly – Sad Bear – Review

April 15, 2012

No Use For A Name’s Tony Sly is a staple of the punk scene, and you get a more intimate look at the singer-songwriter on “Devonshire and Crown.”