Dave Short

Corvus Corax — Venus Vina Musica

Medieval songs played with heart, but is its distance from contemporary music a boon or a curse?

3/5

R.E.M — Up

Evokes a dream world, buried in drum machines and synths. Some may find the soporific quality off-putting. Not me.

5/5

Sage Francis — Human the Death Dance

First it makes you feel, then it makes you think.

4/5

Joey Ramone — Don't Worry About Me

Too many cover songs, but he does them so well. I can't help but feel sad listening to this.

3/5

Westbound Train — Come And Get It

This is tight, modern, ear-pleasing reggae/rock the way it's meant to be played.

4/5

Yellowcard — Paper Walls

Unquestionably slick pop-punk, it even rises to some emotional heights throughout the sugarcoated bits.

2/5

The Queers — Pleasant Screams

A terrific Ramones-influenced mix of songs about people to hate and people to love.

3/5

Ben Folds Presents — University A Capella!

Good idea, OK execution. Many groups try to recreate piano via voice. Some standouts.

3/5

Guns 'N Roses — Chinese Democracy

I wish it hadn't taken 15 years to make, so I could review it context-free. Oh well. It's shit.

0/5

Farewell — Isn't This Supposed to Be Fun!?

True to its title; you'll sing along, but it wades in far too much emo for power pop.

2/5