What's New

 
   

Artists A-C

 
   

Artists D-F

 
   

Artists G-I

 
   

Artists J-L

 
   

Artists M-O

 
     

Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs

 
     

Bob Marley - Songs of Freedom

 
     

Meat Puppets - Up On the Sun

 
     

Meters - Struttin'

 
     

Mocket - Pro Forma

 
     

Mouse On Mars - Niun Niggung

 
     

Mudhoney - March to Fuzz

 
     

Neu! - Neu!

 
     

Old 97's - Fight Songs

     

Beth Orton - Central Reservation

 
     

John Oswald - 69 Plunderphonics...

 
     

Oswald/Grateful Dead - Grayfolded

 
     

Shugie Otis - Inspiration Information

 
   

Artists P-R

 
   

Artists S-U

 
   

Artists V-Z

 

ALBUM REVIEWS

Pick of the Chick: Our Favorite Releases, 1999-Present

OLD 97's
FIGHT SONGS
ELEKTRA

In recent years, the Old 97's have tried to distance themselves from the alt-country scene--a scene that's been the kiss of death for bands who want to be "big ole rock stars."  On Fight Songs, the Old 97's prove that they have the hooks to be big ole rock stars, but that cursed alt-country sound also creeps into their mix.  The twang that envelopes songs like "Crash On the Barrelhead" would even make the boys from Uncle Tupelo green with envy.   There's more "hook" than "twang" on Fight Songs though.  It's the catchy alt-pop songs like "Jagged" and "Murder (Or A Heart Attack)" that could turn these guys into big ole rock stars--or even better, legitimize alt-country to a national rock audience.

PIGEONHOLE: Alternative pop gems that sparkle with alt-country flare.
CAVEATS: Fight Songs may be too "poppy" for the alt-country connoisseur and too "alt-county" for the alt-rock purist.

Andrew Helminger

buy this album (sorry, no samples)