Staff Picks: 1/29 – 2/4

How to Destroy Angels

Mark Nosiri Contributor Artist: How to Destroy Angels Album: How to Destroy Angels EP Comments: I've been diving into the mind of Trent Reznor for the past few weeks and wasn't aware of his latest project, How to Destroy Angels, until very recently. Everything about this band grabs me; the name How to Destroy Angels is incredibly epic, the fact that Reznor's wife, Mariqueen Maandig, handles vocals, and production is assisted by Reznor's chief collaborator, Atticus Ross. It is just about as … [Read more...]

Staff Picks: 1/15 – 1/21

Augustana

Janey Criss Assistant Editor Artist: Destroyer Album: Kaputt Comments: This is the most Eighties-sounding record I’ve heard all year. It’s got modern production tidbits, yes, but they do what modern technology is supposed to – replicate analog devices, less the noise that they sometimes bring. These nine songs are so damn chill-pop. It’s the same easy-listen-ability that Twin Shadow brings us, but minus the emotional tension (make of that what you will; I love it both ways). This … [Read more...]

Staff Picks: 1/8 – 1/14

David Gray

Carlos Reyes Contributor Artist: Gotye Album: Making Mirrors Comments: Last week I was browsing for new music specifically for this column. I wasn’t paying much attention to what I was listening to, but then I heard this amazing song titled “Somebody I Used to Know”. You know how people always say “this song was written for me?” Well, I say it too, but it’s usually bullsh*t, but this song? This song I can actually relate to. Other stand outs on Making Mirrors are “In Your … [Read more...]

Staff Picks: 1/1-1/7

Class of MXXII

Mark Noisiri Contributor Artist: Midnight Kids Academy Album: Class of MMXII Comments: Let me start off by saying that this album was all I was listening to for the past week, partly because I'm the executive producer and the album dropped January 1, 2012. Got it completed just before 11pm that night. Midnight Kids Academy is an international collective of artists which I am a part of, and we decided to put together this compilation Class of MMXII to start off the new year on a high note. … [Read more...]

Staff Picks: 12/25 – 12/31

Duffy

Carlos Reyes Contributor Artist: Matt & Kim Album: Sidewalks Comments: Being so close to the end of this year, I decided I wanted to hear something genuinely festive, and there’s something so real, honest and happy about Matt & Kim’s album Sidewalks.  Of course, their single “Block After Block” is just inspiration to yell “Yeah” for no good reason, and, isn’t “leave good for great” (in the song “Good for Great”) such an uplifting message to hear when you’re … [Read more...]

Staff Picks: 12/18 – 12/24

Godspeed

Mark Noisiri Contributor Artist: McKenzie Eddy Album: A Prelude to My Next Excursion Comments: As the president of Dame Dash's Bluroc Records, multigenre vocalist McKenzie Eddy has already been wow-ing me with her ability to be a capable versatile artist and have a strong handle on the business side as well. I recently got hip to her through listening to tracks she recorded with Curren$y and Murs. Juxtaposition is her calling card; sounding very much like an old soul transported to heavy … [Read more...]

Staff Picks: 12/4 – 12/10

Oh Land

CReyes Contributor Artist: Oh Land Album: Oh Land Comments: I’m going to be completely honest, I only got interested in Oh Land after I read a piece that NPR did about her, so naturally I bought her album right away. And you know what? I’m glad I did it, because for months now I cannot get her tunes out of my head. However, “Sun of a Gun” is not the song I like the most, like NPR suggested, it’s “Rainbow” that really lightens my mood and sets me off into a happy place. Mark … [Read more...]

Staff Picks: 11/27 – 12/3

Lost in Atlantis

AJ Rivera Assistant Editor Artist: Lost in Atlantis Album: Silent World Comments: Last week I picked an album from a bad-ass female guitarist, and this week I bring you a bad-ass female vocalist. “Rock-Tronica,” is the official genre created by LIA fans and even though indie pop music is not my bag, Liz Rosnowski of Lost in Atlantis has won me over with her sheer talent. The album is filled with simple but catchy guitar riffs and synths that make you really want to move. LIA is taking … [Read more...]