This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s winter 2011 issue. Nina Nastasia Outlaster After recording four solo albums, Nina Nastasia gave equal billing to drummer Jim White on her 2007 record You Follow Me — an unusual juxtaposition of strong percussion with acoustic guitar and vocals. Three years later, Nastasia is… Continue reading Record review: Nina Nastasia, ‘Outlaster’
Tag: signal to noise
Record review: Espers, ‘III’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s winter 2010 issue. Espers III A few years ago, just about any small-label act playing acoustic instruments was suddenly called “freak folk,” whether or not there was anything freaky about the music. Espers really lived up to the description, though, and the band… Continue reading Record review: Espers, ‘III’
Record review: Clogs, ‘The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s summer 2010 issue. Clogs The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton The human voice made only cameo appearances on the four previous records by composer Padma Newsome and his Clogs ensemble, but it’s at the center of their latest song cycle. Despite… Continue reading Record review: Clogs, ‘The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton’
Record review: Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & the Cairo Gang, ‘The Wonder Show of the World’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s summer 2010 issue. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & the Cairo Gang The Wonder Show of the World Singer-songwriter Will Oldham is credited to Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & the Cairo Gang. Of course, Oldham settled on the Bonnie Billy moniker some years back, and while… Continue reading Record review: Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & the Cairo Gang, ‘The Wonder Show of the World’
Record review: Oneida, ‘Preteen Weaponry’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s fall 2009 issue. Last year’s Preteen Weaponry came stickered with this bold announcement: “The first piece of Oneida’s much-anticipated ‘Thank Your Parents’ triptych of releases, which will lay bare the band’s colossal vision of a new age in music.” One assumes that they… Continue reading Record review: Oneida, ‘Preteen Weaponry’
Record review: Wildbirds & Peacedrums, ‘The Snake’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s fall 2009 issue. Wildbirds & Peacedrums The Snake Vocals and percussion are the two sounds at the core of this duo from Gothenburg, Sweden. Wildbirds & Peacedrums’ songs often consist of nothing more than Mariam Wallentin singing while her husband, Andreas Werliin, pounds… Continue reading Record review: Wildbirds & Peacedrums, ‘The Snake’
Record review: Evangelicals, ‘The Evening Descends’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s spring 2008 issue. Evangelicals The Evening Descends So Gone, the terrific 2006 debut album by Evangelicals, received little of the attention it deserved, perhaps because this oddball outfit from Norman, Oklahoma, did not fit easily into the any current indie-rock category. Evangelicals continue… Continue reading Record review: Evangelicals, ‘The Evening Descends’
Book review: ‘I Shot a Man in Reno’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s fall 2008 issue. I Shot a Man in Reno By Graeme Thomson (Continuum) A few years ago, the Mekons’ Jon Langford told me about his fascination with old-time folk and country songs about death. He lamented the dearth of death songs on today’s charts. “And… Continue reading Book review: ‘I Shot a Man in Reno’
Baby Dee profile
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s Spring 2008 issue. Baby Dee talks about the old German folk tale of the Erlkönig as if it really happened to her—back when she was still a boy, growing up in Cleveland. The Erlkönig, a king with a beard and a flowing cloak,… Continue reading Baby Dee profile
Windy City drone
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Signal to Noise magazine’s fall 2007 issue. As a steady hum rose from the ten musicians in the loose ensemble known as DRMWPN, a flickering glow filled Chicago’s Empty Bottle. The “Dreamachine” was on. Invented in 1959 by artist Brion Gysin and scientist Ian Sommerville, the Dreamachine is… Continue reading Windy City drone