Trevor Savory

Tom PettyHighway Companion(Warner)Folks might be surprised to learn Tom Petty has released just three solo records over his incredible 30-year career. Even more astounding is the fact that Petty has never reinvented himself or his folk-rock sound to remain relevant. After the controversial Wildflowers and Petty’s lacklustre reunion with the Heartbreakers on Last DJ, Highway […]

MetricGrow Up & Blow Away(Last Gang)There’s no slowing down Emily Haines. After Metric’s debut album Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?, the follow-up Live it Out broke through and put Metric on the indie rock map. Opting to ride the wave further, Haines put forth her solo debut this spring, Knives Don’t Have Your […]

The DonnasGold Medal(Atlantic)Indie darlings the Donnas (none of whom are actually named Donna) have released their most accessible album to date in the form of Gold Medal. Longtime followers of the band might be hesitant to embrace the new poppier sound (think more Veruca Salt, less L7) and see this album as a sellout. But […]

The Icarus LinePenance Soiree (V2)If you’ve ever wondered how to snarl properly, look no further than The Icarus Line’s Penance Soiree. After cutting their teeth with a handful of EPs, Penance Soiree marks Icarus Line’s first full-length release. Their relentless hardcore sound is what you would get if you took Marilyn Manson, The White Stripes […]

Published August 14, 2003. Macy Gray The Trouble with Being Myself (Epic) When you listen to Macy Gray’s third album, you have to wonder why she isn’t more acclaimed. She isn’t a gimmicky artist thirsting for media attention (see Mariah, BeyoncØ or J. Lo). She simply tells it like it is, in her raspy child-like […]

Sam RobertsChemical City(Universal)I wonder what Sam is trying to tell us with the title of his latest effort. The follow-up to his wildly succesSean Flinnul We Were Born in a Flame is a more psychedelic effort while remaining every bit as potent. The trippy, aTrevor MacLarenospheric vibe further expands his rustic rocker sound.Trevor Savorycategories: Canadian […]

CakeRarities and B-SidesCapricornCake made a name for themselves with their unique blend of jazz, country, rap and pop music, but also for their quirky cover tunes (“War Pigs” and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” appear here). This California band’s career dates back to the early ’90s with their debut Motorcade of Generosity, but […]

Billy CorganThe Future Embrace(Warner)Billy Corgan is no stranger to the spotlight, as frontman for The Smashing Pumpkins and then later as the outspoken leader of Zwan. Corgan has always managed to push the envelope (ambitious two-disc albums, the Pumpkins’ Machina, Zwan) but The Future Embrace might be the end of all of that. Prior to […]

EstheroWe R in Need of a Musical Revolution(Warner/Reprise)It’s been a while since Esthero has been in the spotlight, and if her new EP We R In Need of a Musical Revolution is any indication, she’s not coming back any time soon. Her sound fuses the feistiness of Pink with the eccentricity of Björk, but the […]

StarsailorSilence is Easy(Capitol)Starsailor have returned with Silence is Easy, the follow-up to their critically praised Love is Here. Their debut never really caught on, but people weren’t ready to dial down their nü-metal for a dose of sweet Britpop back in 2001. Here, “Shark Food” and “Four on the Floor” are infectiously fun pop tunes […]

Nelly FurtadoLoose(Geffen)You might be wondering what Nelly is attempting to tell us with an album called Loose and a single called “Promiscuous”—but this is not an artist you can call easy. After the resounding success of her debut Whoa, Nelly! turned into backlash against her sophomore release Folklore, Furtado had to re-evaluate her place in […]

Young JeezyThe Inspiration: Thug Motivation(Universal)The Inspiration: Thug Motivation is another record depicting the urban hustler and the effects of slinging that rock. Thick, imposing beats highlight Jeezy’s robust southern drawl and the impressive guest list. Fans of 50 Cent and G-Unit will feel right at home here—Jeezy’s shtick is so recycled and cliched at this […]