Album Review: Jim White – Transnormal Skiperoo

The most remarkable thing about Transnormal Skiperoo is the conspicuous near-absence of death. No murder, no serial murders, no renegade killer preachermen, no suitcases of love letters floating forlornly down muddy rivers. And except for one song, there is little heed paid to death’s corollaries – unmendable heartbreak, despair, wounds that never heal.

Album Review: Blitzen Trapper – Furr

On first listen, the most striking thing about Furr’s songs is that you’ve heard them all before. ‘Sleepy Time in the Western World’ is pure Lennon; ‘War on Machines’ has obviously attended the Mick Jagger school of struts and wiggles; and the title track is the most uncanny Dylan impression you’re likely to hear (if Dylan wrote lyrics about, um, turning into a dog and back.)