Former MK Ultra front-man and current solo artist/singer-songwriter John Vanderslice is nothing if not consistent. At his “worst,” Vanderslice is simply pleasant — at his best, he’s transcendent.
It’s been awhile since he’s hit transcendence, though. Since Cellar Door, arguably his most alluring and diverse album, he’s lost a bit of the aesthetic and lyrical punch [...]

I don’t really do traditional reviews here on T-Sides, because my reviewing is usually covered by Popdose and Bullz-Eye. So, when friend of T-Sides (and top-notch drummer!) Chris Enriquez said he wanted to do a write-up of Cursive’s new album, Mama, I’m Swollen, I jumped at the chance! Here’s what Chris, a long-time Cursive fan, [...]

The webmistress has been a little preoccupied with looking for paying work, but I’m still out there, spreading the T-Sides love!
Over on Popdose, I reviewed two albums that have a decent shot at making it to my year-end list: Neko Case’s Middle Cyclone, and the solo album from the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, Keep It [...]

“You are no longer a river to me,” Miles Seaton sings on “River,” the new single from Akron/Family’s upcoming album, Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free.
Akron/Family: “River” (download)
He compares his lover to several bodies of water – a docile stream, a glassy bay, a vast and open sea. And though his lover and the element [...]

The album art for Bitte Orca, the Dirty Projectors’ upcoming fifth album, shows band members Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian, their faces painted over in connecting red and blue circles. It harks back to the cover of Slaves’ Graves & Ballads, the band’s 2004 release, which some consider to be their strongest to date. But [...]

Part of the reason why it’s nice to have contributors here on T-Sides is to get different perspectives and tastes. What’s covered on T-Sides is what most appeals to us in a wide sea of culture, but it’s impossible to thoroughly cover everything that’s worthy of attention. There are things we – gasp! – might [...]

Cursive: “From The Hips” (download)
“From the Hips” is one of the tracks that most echoes the band’s earliest sentiments on their excellent new album, Mama, I’m Swollen. Opening slow and somber, front man Tim Kasher wearily sings, “I’m at my best when I’m at my worst,” used as a line on a date in this [...]

They may only have an album and a christmas EP behind them, but Glasgow’s Glasvegas are already performing like a big-time rock band.
Grabbing the attention of the US late last year with the release of their debut, self-titled album, Glasvegas have packed New York City venues of increasing sizes, including their most recent stop at [...]