Back catalogue: Folk/Americana

Review: Though he was already famous, Either/Or is the album that made Elliott Smith great. Now Kill Rock Stars proudly present their newly reissued, expanded edition of the sensitive songster's crowning glory, this time including five live multi-track recordings from the Yo Yo A Go Go Festival in Olympia, WA in 1997, as well as three previously unreleased studio recordings, not to mention one B-side gem. The album was highly praised at the time due to several of its songs' lucky inclusion by Gus Van Sant in the classic drama movie Good Will Hunting, though the album's appeal goes much deeper than that, with Smith's melancholic, sombre voice soaring low above well-glued, unplugged pop mixes, though, typically for Smith, it still touches on existential, philosophical and neurotic themes throughout.

Review: Nimbus by Sunburned Hand of the Man is a special journey into the band's enigmatic world, that is an ever-evolving experimental project. Recorded during a wintery week of sessions in Turner's Falls, MA, the album exudes a familial warmth and creative spontaneity as band members come together in a cozy setting to cook meals, reminisce, and make music. The album's sonic landscape is rich and varied, blending elements of psych-rock, spoken word, and instrumental improvisation. From the jaunty earworm Ishkabibble Magoo, featuring Phil Franklin's witty wordplay and infectious melody, to the haunting poetry-based pieces like 'Consider the Wound,' read by Peter Gizzi, the album traverses a wide emotional spectrum. Instrumental tracks like 'The Lollygagger' and 'Brainticket' showcase the band's musical dexterity, with dreamy synths, swirling guitars, and hypnotic rhythms creating immersive sonic textures. Each track feels like a sonic exploration, with layers of sound intertwining to create a captivating listening experience. Nimbus is a kaleidoscopic collage of sound and imagery that defies categorization and invites listeners to immerse themselves in Sunburned Hand of the Man's unique musical universe.