Johnston Farrow

Lily AllenAlright, Still (EMI)An artist for the peer-to-peer generation, Lily Allen exploded on the UK scene earlier this year, her first single “Smile” rocketing to the top of the singles chart and becoming the hit of the summer across the pond. Set to a reggae-tinged backdrop, “Smile”—one woman’s vengeful thoughts towards her ex in the […]

AirTalkie Walkie(Astralwerks)After the harsh electro-lounge of 10,000 Hz Legend, Air re-turns to the spacy dream-pop of their first full-length. With the exception of “Sexy Boy” sequel “Surfing on a Rocket” and the light swinger “Alpha Beta Gaga,” Air slows things down to a blissful crawl. Think Moon Safari on a cocktail of Ecstasy and Valium […]

Bon SavantsPost-Rock Defends the Nation (Independent) It happens all the time. One band flies under the radar that deserves attention on the end-of-year charts. Unless you’re an avid music blog reader or have a subscription to Spin, you probably don’t know the Bon Savants. But that could change, as the Boston-based quartet has followed the […]

Buck 65Secret House Against the World(Warner)Try to look past the fact he cancelled his hometown record release and take Secret House for what it is: a solid step in the evolution of Richard Terfry’s musical journey. To understand Buck 65, one must know that he’s prone to sudden changes in direction from record to record. […]

In-Flight SafetyThe Coast is Clear(Dead Daisy)Take U2 and Coldplay’s melodic sensibility, Doves’ uplifting drive, the atmosphere of Stars and you have The Coast is Clear, the long-awaited follow-up to their critically acclaimed Vacation Land EP and a record that should catapult In-Flight Safety past its east coast stomping grounds and into national consciousness. One thing […]

InterpolAntics(Matador)With their second record, New York’s moodiest band moves away from the Joy Division-aping dirges of Turn On the Bright Lights and begins to find a distinctive Interpol sound. There are even sure-fire singles such as “Evil‚” with its quiet-loud dynamics, and the layered wall of sound “Slow Hands.” Most impressive is lead singer Paul […]

Arctic MonkeysWhatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not(Domino)The UK buzz band of the year did what few bands could: they lived up to the hype. The best debut since the Libertines Up the Bracket, the young band from Sheffield shows songwriting talent beyond its collective years. The Monkeys recall the best of British […]

StereolabMargerine Eclipse(Elektra)Though the death of member Mary Hansen left the band’s future in doubt, Stereolab has emerged from a dark period. Margerine Eclipse is one of group’s happiest and most melodic albums in years, filled with interesting quirks and bouncy basslines. Stereolab once had a reputation as innovators, but this doesn’t stray from their usual […]

The Long BlondesSomeone To Drive You Home (Rough Trade)A stylized band from Sheffield, England, The Long Blondes make it big, plying kitchen-sink drama and bringing a charity-shop romanticism to their tales of youth, sex and outsiders. This sounds an awful lot like the tale of Pulp, the best group from the mid-’90s Brit-pop era. Just […]

Skratch Bastid, John Smith & Pip SkidTaking Care of Business(independent)After two mix tapes, two Scribble Jam titles and a second-place finish at the Canadian DMCs last year, Halifax-bred Skratch Bastid (AKA Paul Murphy) steps into the ring as a producer in his first original full-length, enlisting Canadian MCs Pip Skid and John Smith to throw […]

StarsailorOn the Outside(EMI) Remember Travis? Starsailor sure does. That’s whom critics compared the British band to when they released their debut Love is Here behind the strength of the still-gorgeous “Good Souls” in 2001. Five years and a forgotten second album (Silence is Easy from 2004) later, Starsailor returns with On the Outside, a good […]

BjörkMedulla (Elektra)The Icelandic pixie with the big voice returns with her sparsest record to date, a collection based almost entirely on vocal tracks. Only a piano or drum accentuates the mesmerizing words and incantations of Björk and guests such as Mike Patton and the Roots’ awesome beatboxer Rahzel. Some fans may complain that Björk has […]