Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   THE NEVER-ENDING PULSE   HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS — Welcome Oblivion THE GOOD: Former Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor returns with a new outfit. THE BAD: Oblivion could be the humble beginnings of something great. However… THE NITTY GRITTY: Rumor has it Nine Inch Nails are coming back. If Oblivion ends up...

Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   SLIGHTLY DELICATE, USE CAUTION   LITTLE GREEN CARS — Absolute Zero THE GOOD: Dublin-based indie outfit Little Green Cars looks to conquer the States with an ambitious first set. THE BAD: No. THE NITTY GRITTY: Whenever plowing through a band’s debut, I can’t help but compare them to established acts (bad habit, I...

Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   THE REBELLIOUS SHEENS GO CRITERION   BADLANDS — Criterion Blu-Ray THE GOOD: Director Terrence Malick’s (the Thin Red Line, the Tree of Life) haunting directorial debut gets the Criterion treatment. THE BAD: Sadly, Malick is absent from all proceedings; no interviews or commentary tracks from the man. THE PLOT:...

Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   HER MAJESTY’S HALL OF FAME   DAVID BOWIE — The Next Day THE GOOD: Rock legend David Bowie returns with his 25th studio album and first in a decade. THE BAD: Nope. THE NITTY GRITTY: This may not be another Ziggy, Heroes or Scary Monsters but the Next Day finds the 66-year-old musical chameleon in fine voice and...

Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   RUSTIC CHARM   THE CAVE SINGERS — Naomi THE GOOD: Seattle trio the Cave Singers is now a quartet, and they’re back with a fourth. THE BAD: Depends upon your cravings, but no genuine complaints. THE NITTY GRITTY: Fully entrenched in the northwest and produced by Mr. Modern Folk/Rock himself — Phil Ek (Fleet...

Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   EVERYBODY MUST GET STONED   ELEPHANT STONE — Elephant Stone THE GOOD: Canadian indie rock outfit Elephant Stone finally return with a sophomore album. THE BAD: No complaints. THE NITTY GRITTY: This record was worth the wait. Frontman Rishi Dhir and his crew offer us another luscious helping of neo-psychedelic rock;...

Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   BAD RELIGION — True North THE GOOD: California punk grandfathers Bad Religion kick off a fourth decade together with their sixteenth album. THE BAD: True North doesn’t play with the BR formula. Don’t expect innovation. THE NITTY GRITTY: Before diving head first into this new offering, I spent an hour or two...

Sights and Sounds   FREAKS AND GEEKS   EELS — Wonderful, Glorious THE GOOD: Singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett and his ever-changing roster of band mates are back with a tenth set. THE BAD: Wonderful? Glorious? It’s just OK. THE NITTY GRITTY: Ten albums is a milestone in the digital age, so before attending to the new record, I decided to...

Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   THAT BIG SOUND FRIGHTENED RABBIT — Pedestrian Verse THE GOOD: Scottish indie rock outfit Frightened Rabbit jump to a major (Atlantic) and become more democratic on their fourth release. THE BAD: Nope. THE NITTY GRITTY: Pedestrian Verse finds the boys sharing songwriting duties for the first time while retaining their...

Sights and Sounds by Mike Evans   GIRLS TO THE FRONT!   TEGAN AND SARA — Heartthrob THE GOOD: Canadian sisters Tegan and Sara come back with their seventh. THE BAD: How do you feel about a change in style and attitude? THE NITTY GRITTY: When I heard the record’s first single “Closer,” it surprised me. The track wasn’t exactly synthpop, but...