: From Blue to Green
reviewed by Larry Crane
Brad Kelly is YRLK. When I put on a partially homemade, self-released album I don't usually expect to hear something as big, epic and textured as an Elbow or Coldplay album (go ahead and chip away at...
Music Reviews
What we are listening to. Non-critically.
: Party Store
reviewed by Larry Crane
It doesn't get more hypnotic than an hour of Detroit techno covers played by a band known for garage rock fun. Maybe the 21-minute take on "Bug in the Bass Bin" is a bit much, but overall this left...
: A New Kind of House
reviewed by Larry Crane
This 10" EP limited edition vinyl and download release features Portland's 12-piece Typhoon, one of the many interesting bands around town right now. I liked the sound of this album; it's big and...
: Amourettes
reviewed by Larry Crane
We reviewed the Lapins' previous album, Parlez-Moi d'Amour, in issue #63, and like that album, Amourettes was recorded and co-produced by Pat Dillett (Tape Op #79) at the now-closed Kampo Studios in...
: Coming Home
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
This solo album from Ms. Björklund, a pedal steel session musician, showed up in the Tape Op PO Box and being a fan of her chosen instrument I put it on expecting at best some instrumental...
: Ways of Escape
reviewed by Larry Crane
This long-lived project has become the sole vehicle for songwriter Ben Crum in the last few years. The country-infused songs feel very "natural" with a band-in-a-room sound, great pedal steel, strings...
: We Live in Rented Rooms
reviewed by Larry Crane
When I started Tape Op Magazine, one of the thoughts I hoped to impart (as noted in my intro this issue) was that great music could be recorded far outside of a professional studio. I would look at...
: Frames of Mind, Boundaries of Time, Looking for Anything, Release, Razzmatazz
reviewed by Larry Crane
In 1985 my pal, Jane Rovente, and I were the music directors of KCSC - a small college radio station in Chico, CA. We used to go to the post office, pick up the bins full of promo LPs in their...
: Majesty Shredding
reviewed by Larry Crane
In issue #76 I cornered Mac McCaughan in a donut shop and picked his brain about different recording scenarios. Mac hinted that producer/engineer Scott Solter (issue #67) would be an interesting...
: The Bluebirds of Happiness Tried to Land on My Shoulder
reviewed by Larry Crane
In issue #20 we caught Tobin post-Guided ByVoices and picked his brain about his lovely solo albums. Years on, this one is just as melodic and beautiful as ever. Recorded in his home-based Moonflower...
: Personal Life
reviewed by Larry Crane
For album number five, The Thermals hook up with producer Chris Walla (issue #19) at Jackpot! Recording in Portland, OR (I know, that's my studio, but screw you if you think I'm doing this to serve my...
: The Age of Adz
reviewed by Larry Crane
In issue #70 we got the scoop on Sufjan's unorthodox recording techniques. This new album is more "electronic-y" with some "real" instruments mucked around with in some crazy ways. I think I like it a...