SPOTLIGHTS
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Cheap Time - Wallpaper Music Review
(9.2)
(05.14.2012)
- C.A. Bell
Is it possible that the best punk band in the world is from Tennessee? 411's C.A. Bell takes a look at the newest release from Southern glam-punkers Cheap Time. Find out if he thinks they've got what it takes. |
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Halestorm - The Strange Case Of... Review
(8.5)
(05.04.2012)
- Jeremy Thomas
Halestorm is back with their second studio album following on the success of 2009's self-titled debut. But can their powerful vocals and balls-out hard rock anthems strike gold a second time? 411's Jeremy Thomas checks in with his full review! |
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Lower Dens - Nootropics Review
(1.8)
(05.03.2012)
- C.A. Bell
Baltimore's Lower Dens kicked up a lot of dust with their debut record. Will Nooptropics begin a streak of greatness, or become just another victim of the dreaded sophomore slump myth? 411's C.A. Bell is here to dig up the truth. |
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B.o.B. - Strange Clouds Review
(8.5)
(05.01.2012)
- Bill Wannop
B.o.B. returns with his latest album Strange Clouds. With guest appearances from Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, T.I., Nicki Minaj, and more, can B.o.B. continue his meteoric rise, or are his days in the clouds numbered? |
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Lords of Acid - Deep Chills Review
(6.5)
(04.28.2012)
- Andy Rackauskas
Lords of Acid have released a new album filled with their usual stew of sex, beats, and a little rock n’ roll. Will the Dionysian electric parade please one’s senses, or will it be too much to handle? Andy Rackauskas gives LoA’s deviant electronic a listen. |
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The Waco Brothers and Paul Burch - Great Chicago Fire Review
(5.8)
(04.25.2012)
- C.A. Bell
The Mekons' Jon Langford brought his honky tonk side project, the Waco Brothers, into the studio with Americana stalwart and sometimes Lambchop member Paul Burch. This one is for the beer drinkers and bar brawlers. 411's Chris Bell is neither, so can the band convince him? |
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High on Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis Review
(7.0)
(04.24.2012)
- Andy Rackauskas
Doom metal legends, High on Fire, are back with a ferocious new album. Fans of the band will surely like it, but will it bring others into the fold? Andy Rackauskas travels down High on Fire’s war path to try to find out. |
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Mark Lanegan - Blues Funeral Review
(8.5)
(04.23.2012)
- Andy Rackauskas
Mark Lanegan is back with a new solo album. Lanegan isn’t screaming for the Trees anymore, but his voice is as strong as ever. Will the vocal powerhouse deliver another fine outing? Andy Rackauskas hopes that the blues is truly not dead when he checks out “Blues Funeral”. |
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The Honey Brothers - Time Flies Like A Peach Review
(7.8)
(04.19.2012)
- C.A. Bell
Having Entourage's Adrian Grenier on the drums is enough to get any celebrity addict salivating, but are the Honey Brothers actually any good? Join 411's C.A. Bell to find out if these indie popsters have what it takes to stand on their own. |
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JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound - Want More Review
(7.3)
(04.18.2012)
- C.A. Bell
Channeling the old world soul of Otis Redding and James Brown, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound have been making some waves. But, is this just lazy, recycled fluff or a new golden age for soul? Join 411 reviewer C.A. Bell to find out. |
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New Cassettes - Winterhead Review
(8.0)
(04.13.2012)
- Matt Arena
Following up from their debut album, 'The Art of...', New Cassettes make a big step forward in the evolution of their sound in crafting the type of record that showcases exactly what makes them a band clearly ready to take off. |
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The Honeydogs - What Comes After Review
(8.3)
(04.04.2012)
- C.A. Bell
After decades in the industry, The Honeydogs have returned with new material. This power pop/alternative country group has been compared to Wilco, The Smithereens, and Big Star. Can 411's Chris Bell find something unique in their sound? |
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Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday Roman Reloaded Review
(5.5)
(04.03.2012)
- Tony Acero
Nicki Minaj's highly anticipated new album, Pink Friday Roman Reloaded, drops today. Is it as powerful as her debut album, or did Minaj get too carried away with her alter ego? 411's Tony Acero checks in with his full review! |
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Madonna - MDNA Review
(7.5)
(03.26.2012)
- Jeremy Thomas
After a four-year layoff, Madonna returns with her highly-anticipated twelfth studio album MDNA. But is it a return to form for the pop icon or evidence that pop music has passed her by? 411's Jeremy Thomas checks in with his full review! |
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Bowerbirds - The Clearing Review
(6.4)
(03.12.2012)
- C.A. Bell
The alternative folk trio Bowerbirds have returned with their third LP and a slightly new outlook on their sound. Does it work? Join 411 reviewer Chris Bell to find out. |
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Civil Twilight - Holy Weather Review
(8.5)
(03.06.2012)
- Matt Arena
As a follow-up to their successful debut album, Civil Twilight emerge from the recording studio having further explored their sound and a unique musical direction with sophomore album Holy Weather. |
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Hospitality - Hospitality Review
(7.4)
(02.10.2012)
- C.A. Bell
The professional debut of this jaunty indie pop band on Merge Records puts them to the test. Is Hospitality something special, or just another chewed up Belle & Sebastian cover band? Join C.A. Bell for an in depth look at the new record. |
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Sharon Van Etten - Tramp Review
(9.7)
(02.10.2012)
- C.A. Bell
The indie darling has decided to blow up her sound and take a chance being a serious crossover hit. How does she do? Join C.A. Bell for a full review of the new record. |
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Seal - Soul 2 Review
(7.0)
(01.28.2012)
- Wyatt E.
Released just in time for him to get divorced, Seal tries his hand a second time at old R&B classics. |
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Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes Review
(7.5)
(01.24.2012)
- C.A. Bell
The first solo record from The Hold Steady's frontman Craig Finn is a trip into the world of singer-songwriters. Any fan of that group can tell you the trip isn't very far. Luckily, it's a good one. |
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The Big Pink - Future This Review
(8.2)
(01.20.2012)
- Nick Krenn
Blending soaring guitar riffs with bouncy synths that meet in harmony for a sing-a-long chorus, The Big Pink may be staking a claim as the next arena rock gods. |
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Cate Le Bon - CYRK Review
(8.0)
(01.17.2012)
- Nick Krenn
This is one of 2012's first albums with true sleeper potential. Listen to it now, and I guarantee it will grow on you throughout the year.
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Evolver - Evolver Review
(7.5)
(12.12.2011)
- Dan Marsicano
Former Snot/Limp Bizkit guitarist Mike Smith has formed his own project, Evolver, which recently put out their self-titled debut album on iTunes. Does Smith prove to be a credible songwriter as well as a guitarist or does his pet project churn out the same-old rock/alt-metal? |
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T-Pain - rEVOLVEr Review
(6.5)
(12.06.2011)
- Bill Wannop
T-Pain is back with his latest album rEVOLVEr! Has he been able to show his evolution as an artist or is this the case of the same old same old? 411's Bill Wannop checks in with his full review! |
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M.O.P. & Snowgoons - Sparta Review
(8.5)
(11.22.2011)
- Bill Wannop
M.O.P. are back with an album that is completely produced by the Snowgoons. Can the Snowgoons utilize their hard hitting beats to put M.O.P. back on top of hip hop, or this case of another hip hop group past their prime? |
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Yelawolf - Radioactive Review
(7.5)
(11.22.2011)
- Bill Wannop
Yelawolf drops his debut Shady Records album today!. Does he live up to the hype and capitalize on his recent buzz, or should his debut album be properly disposed of? |
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Drake - Take Care Review
(6.0)
(11.15.2011)
- Bill Wannop
Drake is back with his second studio album Take Care! But does the more R&B sound make the album more complete or is the album just a bunch of slow filler? 411's Bill Wannop checks in with his full review! |
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Lou Reed & Metallica – Lulu Review
(9.5)
(11.04.2011)
- Chad Nevett
A rock ‘n’ roll legend teams with the biggest heavy metal band of all time to produce an album almost universally hated. But, what did 411’s Chad Nevett think about Lou Reed and Metallica’s Lulu? Read the review and find out! |
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Jedi Mind Tricks - Violence Begets Violence Review
(7.0)
(10.25.2011)
- Bill Wannop
Jedi Mind Tricks are back with their latest album Violence Begets Violence. Will the group be able to continue producing underground classics with the loss of longtime producer Stoupe or is the group on the downside of their careers? |
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Evanescence - Evanescence Review
(5.0)
(10.15.2011)
- Wyatt E.
The self-titled third album from Evanescence ends a six year absence from the band. How does the trademark Evanescence sound fare in 2011? |
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Lights - Siberia Review
(6.5)
(10.08.2011)
- Wyatt E.
The second full-length album from Canadian pop starlet Lights proves to be a ton of richly produced synth-pop. A ton. |
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Switchfoot - Vice Verses Review
(4.5)
(09.30.2011)
- Wyatt E.
Wyatt E. checks in with his full review of the new release from Switchfoot. Has an indie label been kind to the Christian rockers, or..... has it not been? |
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J. Cole - Cole World: Sideline Story Review
(7.0)
(09.27.2011)
- Bill Wannop
J. Cole has finally released his highly-anticipated debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story! But does the album live up to the hype or does he need to be put back on the sidelines? 411's Bill Wannop checks in with his full review! |
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Bush - The Sea of Memories Review
(6.0)
(09.14.2011)
- Ben Czajkowski
Bush returns after ten years to release The Sea of Memories. Will this be a post-grunge masterpiece or a monotonous, mainstream rock album? Ben Czajkowski delivers the full review. |
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