Cross-Continental Review: God Willin' & The Thames Don't Rise

by Ben Murphy

The excitement that had accumulated through weeks of waiting to see Ray LaMontagne after the release of his newest album “God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise” seemed to evaporate as I walked into London’s cavernous Royal Festival Hall. All my visions of a small room of swaying hipsters nodding their heads to a single acoustic guitar were lost amid stadium seats and a persistent drone of country music. But as I took my seat, I tried to stay optimistic. Surely Ray’s heart-wrenching howl would raise this docile audience to its feet and drive away any semblance of a Ford truck commercial. Surely I hadn’t accidentally walked into a country music concert.... Full story

Vibrant New Iron & Wine: "Kiss Each Other Clean

by Dave Gianetti

I have one unsolvable problem in my life. Through whatever fantastic or supernatural means I conjure up in my head – time travel, reincarnation, mind swaps, or displacement during a ninja pirate war – I never end up related to Sam Beam, the genius behind Iron & Wine. To appear more sane, I will be honest and say these are not daily considerations. These far-flung fantasies only appear when I end up in an Iron & Wine phase. This time there is an excuse for it: less than a month ago, Iron & Wine's latest studio album "Kiss Each Other Clean" came out on Warner Bros. Records. Full story

Decemberists Embrace "a Turning of the Season"

by Dave Gianetti

  When I first set out to write this review I was not even a casual listener of The Decemberists.  Four albums later, however, as well as picking the brain of their number one fan (my roommate), has brought me to have a much greater appreciation for The Decemberists. Their newest and sixth studio album The King is Dead is a short collection of lively and simple country ballads, and it reflects the core of The Decemberists' ability to mix genres outside of their own brand of indie pop while telling stories through their songs.  Full story

WEB SPECIAL! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 Review

by Monica Sandreczki

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I" premieres today across the nation and proves to be, arguably, the best movie in the HP series yet. Finally, one of the movies balances the details of the story that the first three movies portrayed, with the artistic, personal interpretation of the Half Blood Prince. Full story

'90s Film Throwback: "The Remains of the Day

by Sally Murphy

  It is unfortunate that often movies made in the early '90s are passed over by viewers today. There is good reason; such films are unfortunately caught between the "not-old-enough-to-be-a-classic" and "soooo yesteryear" categories. However, in those magical, mysterious, lost years there are many gems, one of which is the film by James Ivory adapted from the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro: "The Remains of the Day."  Full story

Review: Cloud Cult

by Broc Verschoor

Cloud Cult, a band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been making experimental-indie-pop-rock since 1995. Their release of the album "Light Chasers", which hit stores a couple months ago, has revealed some of their most interesting creations to date, exploring profound concepts and pushing new musical boundaries for the band. Full story

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