The Soft Pack's self-titled full-length debut is straighter than black coffee, and twice as bitter: Frontman Matt Lamkin isn't afraid to fly his philosophical flag and face hard realities. — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
Formerly known as The Muslims, The Soft Pack brings a lot of swagger to its garage-rock sound. There's a load of gimmick-free confidence in the band's hooks, as its distorted guitars and driving drums demonstrate that less can be more. — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
Bands such as LiLiPUT and Essential Logic were just as unorthodox as Gang of Four or Wire, even taking their sounds a step further… — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
Tame Impala's music revisits a time when guitar effects and studio tricks were music's newest frontiers; when rock was barely old enough to drive… — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
Some art needs to be hung on the wall and stared at inquisitively, while other pieces require a more active approach. — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
The Internet is the fastest way to get what you want and expose yourself to music you would never have heard otherwise. — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
Cryptic messages and abstract statements are littered throughout the music of Happy Birthday, but it hasn't made the band's sun-baked pop-rock any less infectious. — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
The U.K. trio Let's Wrestle doesn't make music for its art, but for its attitude. — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
A formidable game of 'Name That Influence' could be based on the music of the seductive rock duo Girls: The band's first single, 'Hellhole… — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
With its breezy guitars and sweet backing vocals, 'Norway' blows away any semblance of Beach House's previously bleak approach to pop. — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
Occasionally, I'll want to cover something that's outside of my audiences' tastes or interests. Every week or so I have to try and cover… — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
The musical era depicted in 'Round and Round' may not be pop's brightest moment, but rather than abandon its ideas, Ariel Pink reclaims them… — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
Short-sighted music fans might scoff at the revivalism of, say, Ariel Pink, but plenty of acts have built healthy careers around the art of… — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
I don't really think reviewing music is something you're going to get famous doing overnight. — Anthony Fantano Copy Share Image
