Clear Heart Full Eyes is the first solo effort from the Hold Steady's singer and lyricist Craig Finn. Is it an exercise in egoism? Is it a true departure from the successful Hold Steady form? We discuss!

Kathleen Edwards: Voyageur

Jan 31st, 2012 18m 1s

Voyageur, the latest from Kathleen Edwards, shows the influence of a new producer (think Bon Iver). But how does this record stack up against her earlier, more alt-country efforts? We discuss.

Dex Romweber Duo: Is That You In The Blue?

Aug 10th, 2011 20m 1s

Drop everything. This is the most kickass album you've heard all year. "Is That You In The Blue?" is the second record for the brother-sister duo, and it's clear here why Dex was a -- or the -- major influence on Jack White. Just drop everythin

Bon Iver: Bon Iver

Aug 3rd, 2011 18m 31s

The eponymous second full-length release from Wisconsin-based Justin Vernon, performing as Bon Iver, is a departure for the critically acclaimed rocker. Do we dig it? Yes, Meh, and Meh-Plus.

Iceage: New Brigade

Jun 23rd, 2011 18m 8s

New Brigade is the first album from Iceage, a bunch of Danish kids from, surprisingly, Denmark. Is it punk? Some of us think so. Some of us, not so much. But regardless of label, is it worth a listen? Tune in and find out.

The Antlers: Burst Apart

Jun 14th, 2011 21m 31s

Burst Apart is the second full-length record from Brooklyn-based The Antlers, and it's on our short list of albums of the year.

Amanda Shires: Carrying Lightning

Jun 1st, 2011 22m 1s

Amanda Shires, a Texas singer-songwriter with a flair for fiddle and ukulele, has us generally all a-swoon over Carrying Lightning, her most recent release.

Fleet Foxes -- Helplessness Blues

May 27th, 2011 17m 31s

Helplessness Blues, the second full-length record from Fleet Foxes, is a smart and challenging blend of folk and pop, old and new. Whether you love it or not, you won't regret giving it a go.

TV On The Radio: Nine Types Of Light

May 16th, 2011 20m 30s

Nine Types Of Light, the latest from Brooklyn's TV On The Radio, is a mix of beats, hooks and surprising emotional depth and complexity -- or so we would have you believe.

Wye Oak: Civilian

Apr 28th, 2011 18m 53s

Civilian, the third effort from Baltimore duo Wye Oak, has us divided, and animated. It's a unique sound, to be sure -- not quite folk or rock but ... well, listen in as we try to describe it and devolve into name-calling.

Destroyer: Kaputt

Mar 29th, 2011 21m 12s

Canadian indie rocker Dan Bejar has us all a-dazzle with Kaputt, the latest from his Destroyer project. While he's a member of the New Pornographers, we find similarities in this effort with those of bands such as Roxy Music and Prefab Sprout.

Roky Erickson with Okkervil River: True Love Cast Out All Evil

Mar 14th, 2011

It's a collaboration borne of Austin, Texas-based musicians -- Roky Erickson, a pioneer of psychedelic rock, and Okkervil River, critical darlings of the indie-rock set who have performed with The Decemberists, the New Pornographers, The Nation

The Decemberists: The King Is Dead

Mar 7th, 2011 20m

The King Is Dead, the latest from The Decemberists, features familiar themes and voices (and guitars, in the case of R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, who joins). Or is it a departure? And is it charming or repulsive? For such a great record, we really can'

The Top 10 Records of 2010

Dec 20th, 2010 59m 22s

Your friends at Soundcheck have consulted and agree: 2010 has been one of the best years for music in at least a decade. From Frightened Rabbit and Beach House to The National and Rush, there's been something for just about everyone. Here, we g

Superchunk: Majesty Shredding

Dec 15th, 2010 18m 59s

Majesty Shredding, the long-awaited ninth album from old-schoolers Superchunk, rocks pretty hard. But is that a good thing? We shred through the cheese.

Robyn: Body Talk -- The best in dance pop?

Dec 6th, 2010 18m 34s

Swedish dance-pop phenom Robyn recently released Body Talk, actually a trilogy of EPs released during 2010. As far as electronic dance records go, we agree that Robyn is doing it better than anyone else these days -- including Lady Gaga. That's

Cee Lo Green: F**k You -- The best song of 2010?

Nov 30th, 2010 16m 20s

Sure, F**k You is a terrific single -- but how does the rest of Cee Lo's latest record, The Lady Killer, measure up? How about among the best of 2010? You heard that right.

OFF! Punk rock returns!

Nov 22nd, 2010 10m 25s

Old-school punkers OFF! are releasing a collection of 16 songs in under 18 minutes that prove punk is alive and well. Or, is this just more evidence that punk died decades ago, despite this effort from former members of Black Flag, Circle Jerks

Warpaint: The Fool

Nov 15th, 2010 14m 20s

The Fool, the first full-length effort from the L.A. all-female quartet Warpaint, is a dreamy blend of texture and tone. We approve -- and not only because we, too, are a dreamy blend of texture and tone.

Grinderman: Grinderman 2 -- A whole lot of rock.

Nov 10th, 2010 14m 14s

Grinderman is the band that succeeds Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, in that it comprises Nick Cave and former members of the Bad Seeds. So is this just another Bad Seeds record, or something new? Check it out, dear listeners.

Philip Selway: Familial

Oct 4th, 2010 14m

Radiohead drummer Philip Selway has offered a record of his own: Familial, a quiet and nearly percussion-free effort that is nuanced and introspective. Some of us may find it a wee bit boring, but there's a backstory to it that makes all the di

Damien Jurado and Richard Swift: Two Dudes, Two Records

Sep 26th, 2010 22m 58s

Damien Jurado's solo album St. Bartlett was produced by Richard Swift, himself a successful independent singer-songwriter. The duo spent a few days together at the end of August and banged out another record of cover songs, written by acts as d

Best Coast: Crazy For You, But Are We Crazy About This Record?

Sep 20th, 2010 15m 26s

Crazy For You, the latest from Best Coast, is awash in good vibes and reverb. Is it too much, or too little, of a good thing? You podcast pals engage in a triumphant discussion.

Mavis Staples: You Are Not Alone

Sep 14th, 2010 20m 24s

You Are Not Alone, the latest from gospel legend Mavis Staples, adds just the right amount of Now to a whole good lotta Then.

Villagers: Becoming A Jackal

Jun 8th, 2010 24m

Becoming A Jackal, the full-length debut from Villagers, is lyrically rich, thematically brilliant and musically delightful. Don't miss it -- or this equally rich, brilliant and delightful podcast about the record.