Album review: Paul McCartney’s ‘New’ repeats old sound

It’s ironic that Paul McCartney’s latest studio album is titled “New,” because the whole album is a reach for the past dipped in the musical tones of t…

Album review: Trivium falls slightly from roots in new album

When a hardcore thrash metal band collides with a hard rock inspiration, the results can be varied, sometimes even leading the band to a murky void bet…

Album review: Pearl Jam’s ‘Lightning Bolt’ better on second strike

Pearl Jam serves up its specialty of grunge punk in their newest album “Lightning Bolt.” The music is ripe with familiar themes of angst and depression…

Album review: Korn’s ‘The Paradigm Shift’ reunites members, style

To those that feared the dreads had stopped spinning, fear no more. The boys from Bakersfield, Calif. are back in stride with their eleventh album, “Th…

Album review: Lorde’s vocals rich as royalty in ‘Pure Heroine’

After releasing her first single “Royals” this past summer, 16-year-old Lorde proves she can reign a little higher than a queen bee. “Pure Heroine,”…

Album review: Kings of Leon’s ‘Mechanical Bull’ provides ’80s sound

Kings of Leon assumes the throne of rock again with the release of its new album. “Mechanical Bull,” the Grammy-winning band’s sixth studio album, w…

Album review: Chvrches’ debut album, ‘The Bones of What You Believe,’ a stand-out

I was able to catch Chvrches perform in a stripped-down setting at Magnolia Thunderpussy records in anticipation of their concert later that evening on…

Album review: Jack Johnson resorts to old, relaxed tone in ‘From Here To Now To You’

Jack Johnson has been the epitome of relaxed surfer/musician since his debut in 2001 with “Brushfire Fairytales.” Tranquil, calm and unpretentious with…

Album review: MGMT channels psychedelic sounds in self-titled album

After a disappointing sophomore effort in “Congratulations,” psychedelic rockers MGMT find the same magic that made them a hit in its self-titled third…

Album review: Melancholy tracks fill new Yoko Ono album

Yoko Ono turned 80 earlier this year, but she is far from retired. This week she and her Plastic Ono Band released their album, “Take Me to the Land of…