Kate Havnevik, 'Melankton' (Continentica/ Universal)
Norwegian singer gives new meaning to Britpop.
By Stacey Anderson 04.11.07 3:00 AM
Kate Havnevik knows about dark times -- she's from Norway, land of five-second summers, and once sang backup for Britney Spears (no joke). But her debut is a glowing, mostly electronic set more in time with Björk, moving swiftly from gorgeous strings that wail like sirens to Havnevik's breathy, meditative melisma.
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The Frames, 'The Cost' (Anti-)
The poor man's U2 slowly descend into melodrama.
By Stacey Anderson 03.29.07 3:00 AM
On their sixth album, these Irish rockers clearly ache to be anthemic rather than adventurous. The result is a tepid effort that bogs down their previously rugged and introspective rock with power-ballad vibrato, lurid over-orchestration, and petulantly vague lyrics.
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Apostle of Hustle, 'National Anthem of Nowhere' (Arts & Crafts)
An indie-rock fusion that exults in its influences.
By Stacey Anderson 03.10.07 4:00 AM
As Gloria Estefan (and probably Nostradamus) predicted, the rhythm is gonna get us all. It's certainly got a grip on this Latin-soaked side project of Broken Social Scene guitarist Andrew Whiteman. National Anthem of Nowhere is a vivacious sampling of cultures and a swinging leap from his somber, lo-fi 2004 debut, Folkloric Feel.
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Let's Hear it for the Junior Boys!
BROOKLYN: Canadian synth pop maestros heat up an icy evening at Studio B.
By Stacey Anderson 12.08.06 4:00 AM
Though their sold-out crowd braved an arctic evening and staggering drink prices, the Junior Boys were the real troopers at Studio B. "I thought I could deal with it, but this microphone is smelling increasingly strange," complained singer/guitarist Jeremy Greenspan.
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