Arts Life - Pick it Up
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Howling Rain
Magnificent Fiend
Howlin’ Rain’s Magnificent Fiend belongs in the late ’60s and early ’70s, no doubt about it. Read story.
Tilly and the Wall
O
This album identifies the band as your model indie rock outfit. Read story.
Cansei de Ser Sexy
Donkey
The highly anticipated follow-up to 2006’s self-titled debut, Cansei de ser Sexy’s Donkey is an impressive and fun-loving glimpse into the music world according to Brazil. Read story.
Sunshine Brothers
Live By the Sun
The Sunshine Brothers are a Santa Barbara-based collaboration between vocalist/guitarist Owen Plant, percussionist/guitarist Christopher Tyng, and bassist Bear Erickson, backed by a full rhythm section and horns. Read story.
Paul Weller
22 Dreams
22 Dreams finds Paul Weller at the zenith of his creativity, re-examining the changing man’s ever changing moods. Read story.
Jim Bianco
Sing
Jim Bianco’s newest album, Sing, is orange both on the cover and in its tracks. Read story.
Coldplay
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friend
Taking their cultural cues from a 2007 tour and recording session in Latin America—and with a little extra help from producer and fellow Brit Brian Eno—Coldplay’s Viva la Vida provides a truly luscious follow up to 2005’s X&Y. Read story.
Slightly Stoopid
Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid
Since forming in 1995, Slightly Stoopid has melded rap and rock, but it’s the prominence of reggae in their sound that has always brought that summertime feeling to their tunes. Read story.
Death Cab for Cutie’s Narrow Stairs
Death Cab for Cutie’s Narrow Stairs: For those upset when Death Cab for Cutie became the soundtrack for The O.C., get excited: Narrow Stairs lacks much of the pop and polish that had tweens everywhere swooning for Ben Gibbard after 2005’s Plans. Read story.
Steve Aoki
Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles
There is no doubt that tastemaker, scene reviver, and UCSB graduate Steve Aoki is talented. Read story.
Various Artists
Solutions for Dreamers: Season Two
Solutions for Dreamers: Season Two: offers up a delectable compilation of almost every type of acoustic and roots music, along with some punk and African grooves. Read story.
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
Real Emotional Trash
Real Emotional Trash, rocks out completely, from start to finish. Read story.
Various Artists
Encyclopedia Asthmatica, Vol. I
The Asthmatic Kitty record label boasts a lineup that’s as impressive as it is slightly weird. Read story.
The Mars Volta
The Bedlam in Goliath
It’s an age-old story: Boy gifts Ouija board to band mate, they use it, meet a few metaphysical beings who wreak havoc on their daily lives Read story.
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
In an industry obsessed with cataloging and pigeonholing, it seems as though we have been duped by Vampire Weekend. Read story.
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