Sarah Cracknell (courtesy of Cherry Red, PR)

Saint Etienne's Sarah Cracknell: Five Essential Albums

August 04, 2015|Kara Manning

It's been nearly 20 years since Sarah Cracknell released her first solo album, 1997's Lipslide, but this summer the Saint...

Violent Femmes (photo by Varuni Kulasekera, PR)

Violent Femmes: Five Essential Albums

June 24, 2015|Kara Manning

Earlier this year, Violent Femmes returned with their first collection of new music since the release of 2000's Freak Magnet...

Vetiver's Andy Cabic: Five Essential Albums

May 27, 2015|Kara Manning

Andy Cabic has long looked to San Francisco as his songwriting muse and as leader of the mutable collective Vetiver, he's...

Public Service Broadcasting: Five Essential Albums

April 10, 2015|Kara Manning

J. Willgoose, Esq., one half of the electronic London duo Public Service Broadcasting, is an ardent film and history buff, a...

The Vaselines (courtesy of the band, Facebook.com)

The Vaselines' Eugene Kelly: Five Essential Albums

December 05, 2014|Kara Manning

Glasgow's The Vaselines, the enigmatic Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, have drifted in and out of their partnership since...

Cymbals (courtesy of the artist, Facebook.com)

Jack Cleverly of Cymbals: Five Essential Albums

July 06, 2014|Kara Manning

There are plenty of 2014 albums that merit mention as the best of the year thus far—and those overlooked gems that deserve...

White Hinterland's Casey Dienel (photo: Derrick Belcham)

White Hinterland: Five Essential Albums

June 25, 2014|Kara Manning

Classically-trained Casey Dienel, who records as White Hinterland, breaks down genre barriers on her most recent album Baby...

Ben Watt (photo: Edward Bishop, courtesy of the artist)

Ben Watt: Five Essential Albums

May 13, 2014|Kara Manning

Yes, it took Ben Watt over 30 years to release his second solo album, Hendra, but he has a perfectly fine excuse. Following...

Simon Raymonde: Five Essential Albums

January 22, 2014|Kara Manning

Since the dissolution of Cocteau Twins in 1997, Simon Raymonde has focused on running his Bella Union label, the UK home of...

Fanfarlo: Five Essential Albums

January 14, 2014|Kara Manning

Fanfarlo's blissful EP of last year, The Sea, was a sparkling pop prelude to the London band's bold third album, Let's Go...