Nov 26th, 2008 · Minneapolis-based quintet One for the Team offers a healthy dose of sunshine on its sophomore album, Build It Up. The album, which first dropped this past summer, serves up a dozen tracks of jangly power pop, with glimmering unisex harmonies that offer a welcome balm to the wintry weather.
Nov 6th, 2008 · The most immediately striking thing about London-based pop quintet Absentee is singer Dan Michaelson's deep and gravelly voice. A little bit Leonard Cohen, a little bit Johnny Cash, Michaelson immediately takes hold of listeners on Victory Shorts, the band's sophomore album which navigates the flurry of emotions following failed relationships.
Oct 22nd, 2008 · Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews TV On The Radio's new album Dear Science. The New York quintet's fourth studio album debuted at number four on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart.
Oct 20th, 2008 · In the piano trio, only three instruments are involved, so the thoughts and actions of musicians must be absolutely in sync with one another. Pianists like Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett have led legendary trios, but here are five piano-trio leaders who keep the acoustic jazz tradition alive in fresh ways.
Oct 8th, 2008 · The Great Bloomers are a rootsy, rock quintet based out of Toronto, Canada who, earlier this year, released a self-titled debut EP. Today's featured song, "Catching Up," opens up the EP and showcases a healthy admiration for the Beach Boys, who happen to be one of the Great Bloomers' biggest influences.
Sep 16th, 2008 · Although his career has been stylistically varied, multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson is most comfortable performing the Django Reinhardt-inspired Gypsy swing heard here on Mountain Stage.
Sep 2nd, 2008 · With an innovative repertoire and creative musical arrangements, the five brass players of the Meridian Arts Ensemble have redefined the boundaries of the traditionally stodgy brass quintet in music that ranges from J.S. Bach to Frank Zappa.
Aug 8th, 2008 · Arms is the solo venture of multi-instrumentalist Todd Goldstein. Between his work with the Brooklyn-based indie-rock quintet Harlem Shakes and the lo-fi flight-obsessed folk duo The Sea & The Gulls, Goldstein found time to put together a record all his own. Kids Aflame is his first full-length record as Arms.