The Wolf That House Built
Artist: Little Axe

Technically this is an Epic release, but those in the know will see Adrian Sherwood listed as producer and Skip McDonald as sole performer and understand immediately: in all but name, this is an On-U Sound production. What does that mean? It means that groove will be primary, words secondary, and overall sound will be dark and thrilling; it... Read More

Neighborhood Watch
Artist: Kevin Kane

Kevin Kane's solo debut is an understated, quiet album that doesn't fare well with one spin -- it's an album that takes several listens to appreciate, especially when compared to his more accessible Grapes of Wrath work. Kane continues to bare his soul, but Neighborhood Watch is slightly more subdued, serious and introspective than his previous... Read More

Meet Me in Uptown
Artist: The Mighty Blue Kings

Yet another band to emerge out of the '90s swing revival scene, but these guys came out before Brian Setzer hit it big, before the movie Swingers was ever scripted and before those Gap ads taught us how to "Jump, Jive an' Wail." It's safe to say that Chicago's Mighty Blue Kings were ahead of their time before any trend bandwagon hit. And with... Read More

Some Music
Artist: Mr. Chapman & His Friends
Magic
Artist: Orlando

A more diverse, but not necessarily more accomplished, affair than Just for a Second, Magic EP is the definitive Orlando recording, capturing the awkward gap between their pretensions and their achievements. "Don't Kill My Rage" is a boisterous disco number that has a tight arrangement, but is undercut by Tim's chirping, wavering and tuneless... Read More

The Best of the Gaylords: The Mercury Years
Artist: The Gaylords

The Best of the Mercury Years contains 25 tracks from the Gaylords' tenure at Mercury Records. Over the course of the compilation, all of the group's charting singles -- including the number one hits "The Little Shoemaker" and "Tell Me You're Mine" -- are included, as well as terrific lesser-known numbers like Ronnie Gaylord's solo single... Read More

Noonan Building and Wrecking
Artist: Carol Noonan

Carol Noonan lived up to the promise of Absolution with her equally superb sophomore effort, Noonan Building & Wrecking. This is a CD that, with the right exposure, could have made Noonan as big as Natalie Merchant or Melissa Etheridge. In fact, anyone doubting that she is in a class with those singers need only listen to "Creatures of Habit,"... Read More

That's the Truth
Artist: Bugs Henderson & The Shuffle Kings
Community Score: 6.00

Bugs Henderson splashes a warning on the inside sleeve for anyone who might not know the drill: "This is not elevator music. Crank it up!" There are no overdubs, no re-takes, and no fancy tricks on this live recording, captured on five consecutive nights in November 1994 in various clubs in Colorado. If you've never seen Henderson live, this is... Read More

Thud
Artist: Kevin Gilbert
Community Score: 10.00

Kevin Gilbert played and wrote on numerous albums and was a veteran of the L.A. music scene by the time he released his solo debut, Thud. It would prove to be his only release, since Gilbert would die in an accidental suicide two years later. In hindsight, his death makes several moments on Thud rather eerie. Producing the record himself,... Read More