Dave Short

R.E.M — Automatic for the People

An immortal meditation on mortality, melancholy but not brooding. Stirs nostalgia, pensiveness.

5/5

Oppenheimer — s/t

Geeky synthpop ear candy. Wish the melodies and lyrics were consistently, instead of merely frequently, catchy.

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

Alphaville — Forever Young

Those crazy Germans! The good kind of 80's pop, without apologies or pretense.

3/5

Even In Blackouts — Myths & Imaginary Magicians

Everything about this record is a contradiction. It shouldn't work, but it does.

4/5

Metallica — Death Magnetic

Sure, some tracks rock like Metallica of yore. But it sounds like shit and bores me to no end.

1/5

Hub City Stompers — Ska Ska Blacksheep

The dubs are lazy, music is tiresome, and lyrics try to be funny but come off juvenile.

1/5

Yellowcard — Paper Walls

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

2/5

Kirby Krackle — s/t

Self-proclaimed music for geeks, but entirely too obvious song topics, and the music struggles in places.

2/5

Ben Folds Presents — University A Capella!

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

3/5