Too many hip-hop artists stick to defined lanes, but Run the Jewels aspire to run rampant, with a growing sophistication as well as heart, wit, and rage.
Paul Robicheau
Album Reviews: Billy Conway and Laurie Sargent — The Healing Power of Music and Community
Laurie Sargent and Billy Conway found their sanctuary under the big sky of rural Montana, and their art echoes the genuine nature of their lives, shared across the miles with their Boston base.
Rock Album Review: “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” — Fiona Apple’s Perfectly Imperfect Storm
Not only is Fetch the Bolt Cutters the most stunning of Apple’s five albums, it’s the most impressive pop record of this young pandemic year, its bottled turmoil speaking to our own pent-up nerves.
Rock Album Review: Phish — Comfortably Optimistic at Home
Sigma Oasis is one of Phish’s better albums since the group reunited in 2009 after a five-year breakup.
Music Review: Drive-By Truckers — Triumph Over Tragedy
The band has tackled the Trump era with an urgent political edge on two recent albums that have surely lost them a share of good ’ole boys who were part of earlier audiences.
Concert Review: The Noah Preminger Group — Balancing the Cerebral and the Physical
Composer Steve Lampert wrote “Zigsaw” at the request of saxophonist Noah Preminger, whose group recorded it for one of 2019’s most provocative albums.
Concert Review: Rex Orange County — A Love-in for Bedroom Pop
For all the teen-pop trappings, however, there is an old-fashioned sensibility to Rex Orange County’s music.
Music Review: Providence Art-Pop Trio Arc Iris stretches its wings in “iTMRW”
So, after three original albums (plus a re-imagining of Joni Mitchell’s Blue) that fell short of wide acclaim, perhaps it was only a matter of time for them to think big.
Music and Concert Favorites 2019
Our expert music critics serve up their usual highly eclectic round-up of the year’s most memorable.
Rock Concert Review: FKA Twigs –Renaissance Woman
Nearly halfway into the set, Twigs finally turned to Magdalene, which casts an empowering light on Jesus Christ’s female companion — and stands among 2019’s best albums.