| Oct 12, 2007

Shugo Tokumaru "Exit"

by Ian Martin

“Exit” is Shugo Tokumaru’s first album since switching from a tiny indie label to the larger P-Vine Records, but the move hasn’t been accompanied by any compromise of the bedroom-music aesthetic that made his previous albums “L.S.T.” and “Night Piece” so beguiling. The melodies ...

| Sep 28, 2007

PJ Harvey "White Chalk"

by James Hadfield

From blues punk to Brechtian chanteuse, FM-friendly femme- rocker to feral screecher: Polly Jean Harvey has been many things during her career. All the same, “White Chalk” is a real curveball. On Harvey’s eighth album, she lays the rock persona to rest, exchanging her ...

| Sep 21, 2007

Tokyo Jihen "Variety"

by Daniel Robson

Pop music’s not just for kids, you know. And while there’s plenty of it about for grownups, few artists offer such consistent and thrilling fare as Tokyo Jihen. On this, their third album since forming in 2003, the band offer 13 tracks dripping in ...

| Sep 21, 2007

Talib Kweli "Eardrum"

by Philip Brasor

Talib Kweli’s reputation as the rapper’s rapper is based on his inventive rhyme schemes, but his underground credentials were established in cahoots with fellow MC Mos Def in Black Star and with DJ Hi-Tek on the classic “Reflection Eternal.” On his own, his skills ...

| Sep 7, 2007

Miami "Good Morning Playground"

by Ian Martin

Formed in 2004 by two women called Ai — one a classically trained violinist whose hobbies include cooking, flower-arrangement and “home crafts,” the other a “Star Wars” fanatic and lightning-speed MC — Japanese technopop duo Miami are releasing their debut mini-album after a year ...

| Aug 31, 2007

Marcus Miller "Free"

by Yung-hsiang Kao

Brooklyn-born Marcus Miller kicks off his latest album playing the sitar, lending “Blast” an Indian groove before adopting a hip-hop beat in the chorus. It’s an early indication of Miller’s diverse musical tastes: “Free” features the noted bass guitarist playing 14 different instruments. Miller, ...

| Aug 24, 2007

Kiiiiiii "Al & Bum"

by Ian Martin

As comfortable playing traditional gig venues as they are art galleries, Tokyo girl duo Kiiiiiii have built their reputation on their live shows, in which vocalist U.T. and drummer Lakin’ dash through a technicolor car crash of songs and musical skits performed in the ...