: The Empyrean
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
When I interviewed John and his engineer Ryan Hewitt for Tape Op #61 in February of 2007, they were in the middle of making this record. Between John's touring with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and...
Music Reviews
What we are listening to. Non-critically.
: Hold Time
reviewed by Larry Crane
For sake of honesty I should confess that I recorded a few songs for Transistor Radio, M. Ward's 2005 album, and I consider Matt a friend even if our busy schedules make hanging out difficult! But one...
: Black Monk Time
reviewed by Larry Crane
This is a reissue of the first album by the group of former U.S. G.I.'s with the tonsure haircuts who baffled audiences in Germany with their droney garage rock with weird lyrics and noisy guitar...
: To Be Still
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi, Larry Crane
I grew up near a magical town in the foothills of California called Nevada City. Back when I was in high school we'd see Jonathan Richman walking down the street or Gary Snyder reading his poetry, and...
: Living Thing
reviewed by Larry Crane
Remember the fun interview Thom Monahan did with Björn Yttling in #65? He and his famous whistling band (with Peter Morén and John Eriksson) return with their fourth album. It's catchy,...
: Ancients Speak
reviewed by Larry Crane
You may remember Melvin as the thoughtful bassist (with a back catalog and history to die for) whom we interviewed in issue #54. Here he unleashes an inspired mix of African music, hip-hop, Brazilian,...
: The Three Track Session EP
reviewed by Larry Crane
Al Perry has a long history in the Tucson, Arizona, music scene, with his slightly off-key take on country music and songs from his heart. On this EP he traveled up to Phoenix with his three piece...
: The Safecracker
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
Since we last talked to Scott Bomar for Tape Op 44 he's done the soundtracks for the movies Hustle and Flow and Black Snake Moan as well as opening up his Electraphonic Recording Studios in Memphis....
: Un Día
reviewed by Larry Crane
When I think of home recording, my worst imagined nightmare is someone trying so hard to make their recordings sound "polished" or "professional" that they lose sight of the music and feeling - and...
: Haste, Error
reviewed by Larry Crane
Some bands exist by situation. Bleaks are a band because they gathered and created a record in Chicago at Semaphore Recording in a few days. Kyle Bruckmann (Pink Mountain, Lozenge), Jeremy Lemos...
: Acid Tongue
reviewed by Larry Crane
Some of you might know that M. Ward and I worked on part of her amazing last album, Rabbit Fur Coat [with the Watson Twins] (and that Mike Mogis [issue 51] did the majority of it). Since I bought Acid...
: Frankie Ray
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
Hey Larry did I ever play you Jonathan Wilson's album, Frankie Ray? It's one of my favorite albums that I picked up last year. He's an amazing musician with a beautiful voice. His songs are moody and...