CONSTANTINES - Kensington Heights

Gracefully grizzled, these Nassau St. knights return, touring with Castlemusic, whose backup cameo streak continues on "New King". Doug MacGregor's soul snare's still there on leadoff single "Hard Feelings", as on the 7/8 but elegantly three-chord "Brother Run Them Down." Will Kidman's keys give levity in the fluctuations of "Trans Canada" and "Credit River"'s phased swoops, the latter one of Bry Webb's most parable-like lyrics yet, while Steve Lambke sings lead once here, the Leslie-filtered "Shower Of Stones". Dallas Wehrle's ever-eagle-eyed art is strengthened by their A&C alliance, as the fold-out flyer attests.   

Comments

[Walter]

to describe these "featured releases" as reviews would be misleading, because they aren't; they're supposed to be more like a "synopsis" of an album, right? because i really get the impression that someone just telephoned this album blurb in.

i mean, you're a business, you want to sell your product, so obviously you won't pan an album.

am i wrong? or am i just an asshole?

[soundscapes]

Fair enough--you're right that they're more summations or 'synopses' than reviews (the format keeps the word count capsular), and that there is at least a degree of conflict of interest inherent in criticism. (That having been said, everyone on staff here tries to be honest and open whenever asked about any album that isn't their thing.) The "Featured Releases" page focuses on CDs that we find worthy in at least some way, since there are so many new releases each week, and only one website editor at the moment.