Dave Hayden

Sarah HarmerAll of Our Names (Cold Snap)It’s been over two years since her solo debut charmed everyone, and with All of Our Names Sarah Harmer has returned with nary a stutter step. Tracks like “Dandelions in Bullet Holes” and “Tether” see her dreamy voice and intimate arrangements (cello and muted horns) dance like fall leaves […]

Chad VanGaalenSkelliconnection Flemish EyeChad VanGaalen is anything but the fragile, brooding Elliott Smith-like performer you might have envisioned while devouring his remarkable 2004 debut, Infiniheart. That album was essentially a summary of songs this Calgary-based visual artist had amassed over years, hunched over found or constructed instruments and recording devices in his bedroom. A sense […]

The New PornographersTwin Cinema (Mint)While Vancouver’s The New Pornographers has always been considered a supergroup — the band features Dan Bejar (Destroyer), alt-country goddess Neko Case, Limblifter’s Kurt Dahle and the Evaporators’ John Collins — it’s really AC Newman’s baby. He writes most of the material and the ’60s-meets-’80s production steers much closer to his […]

Iain ArcherFlood the Tanks (Bright Star)Iain Archer already has plenty of cred to his name as guitarist for the supergroup Reindeer Section and Snow Patrol. But if this album gets its due, he may be poised to become one of indie rock’s newest shining stars along the lines of Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous. Flood the Tanks […]

Foo FightersSkin and Bones(SonyBMG)This live acoustic-with-strings set by the Foo Fighters will draw comparisons to Nirvana’s classic MTV Unplugged. Perhaps that’s unfair but it is unavoidable and necessary. Beyond the obvious connection—Dave Grohl—it provides a concrete example of what works, and doesn’t, with sessions like this. The MTV set was held in a small room […]

Early ManClosing In (Matador)The heavy-metal primitivism of Columbus, OH’s Early Man may seem like an odd choice for a Matador release. But it just goes to prove that America’s premiere indie-rock label is not too shy to put its stamp on something even if it doesn’t fit neatly within its expected paradigm. Replete with screaming […]

ClinicWinchester Cathedral (Sony)With its 2002 disc, Walking with Thee, Liverpool’s Clinic firmly secured the title of the coolest band you never heard of. So why’s it so hard to get excited about this latest disc? The band hasn’t changed its formula, though the early Joy Division basslines, a pinch of Velvet Underground and more than […]

David ByrneGrown Backwards(Nonesuch)While it is difficult to fault David Byrne for his aspirations—he covers both Bizet and Lambchop on this album—he should be held accountable for not knowing what doesn’t work for him. “Glass Concrete & Stone” or “Tiny Apocalypse” succeed because they explore rhythmic textures that suit his strained vocal style. But smooth crooning […]

The LadiesThey Mean Us (Temporary Residence)Pinback is a band that’s never quite as breathtaking as it should be. But over three albums, especially 2004’s superb Summer in Abandon, the band has surely found its steadfast following. For some reason other bands of similar ilk (Death Cab, for one) have enjoyed much greater attention. Maybe someday […]

Cowboy JunkiesAt the End of Paths Taken(Latent)Just when you thought the Cowboy Junkies had started resting on its laurels, the band put out a stellar album of protest songs and covers in 2005—the political Early 21st Century Blues—that broke free of all expectation. And now it follows up with At the End of Paths Taken, […]