Jason Mraz: “Know.” (Atlantic) Debra Kate Schafer August 22, 2018 Albums, Reviews From the second I heard the opening ukulele notes of “I’m Yours” on the radio back in 2008 -- and for at least the next five years -- I squealed. Why? Because Jason Mraz’s feel good, über romantic hit of...
Mac Miller: “Swimming” (Warner Bros.) Debra Kate Schafer August 15, 2018 Albums, Reviews 1 Swimming is Mac Miller’s latest record, his fifth studio album, and his best album by far. It’s been a long journey getting here, from Blue Slide Park’s literal record-breaking release in 2011 to his las...
Blue October: “I Hope You’re Happy” (Up/Down – Brando Records) Debra Kate Schafer August 15, 2018 Albums, Reviews Blue October’s been looking for a good time and place for them to make a bold change, and whether it was planned or not, they found their perfect timing here on I Hope You’re Happy. They took a leap of f...
Dentist: “Night Swimming” (Cleopatra Records) Debra Kate Schafer August 8, 2018 Albums, Reviews Most people don’t like going to the dentist, but I can safely say that most people like listening to Dentist -- that band, that is. The three-piece, genre defying group calls the eclectic oceanfront city...
Halestorm: “Vicious” (Atlantic) Debra Kate Schafer August 8, 2018 Albums, Reviews Vicious is Halestorm’s fourth studio album, and trying to follow up an album that stemmed four Top 10 hits in the mainstream rock category is difficult to say the least. As expected, though, the hard roc...
Dirty Projectors: “Lamp Lit Prose” (Domino Recording Company) Debra Kate Schafer July 25, 2018 Albums, Reviews Brooklyn, NY is home to one of the coolest and subtly edgy groups I have ever known. Dirty Projectors have been releasing music since 2002 and I have to say, over 15 years later, they still have the cool...
Florence and the Machine: “High as Hope” (Virgin EMI) Debra Kate Schafer July 18, 2018 Albums, Reviews If I could describe Florence and the Machine’s latest album, High as Hope, in one word, it would be goosebumps. I was merely 45 seconds into the first song and I had goosebumps up and down my arms. The l...
Nine Inch Nails: “Bad Witch” (The Null Corporation) Debra Kate Schafer July 4, 2018 Albums, Reviews A Nine Inch Nails album, partially inspired by David Bowie. As if 2018 couldn’t get any weirder, that happened. Last week, NIN released a 30-minute long, six-track record entitled Bad Witch, which has st...
5 Seconds of Summer: “Youngblood” (Capitol Records) Debra Kate Schafer June 27, 2018 Albums, Reviews It has been three years since we last heard from the Australian foursome who were first thrust into the spotlight opening for the English quintet (later turned foursome, as well), One Direction. Although...
The Get Up Kids: “Kicker” (Polyvinyl Records) Debra Kate Schafer June 27, 2018 Albums, Reviews When I scroll through my music library on my phone, I always laugh a bit to myself when I get to the letter “H.” Why? Because I have about eight or nine songs with the name -- “Holiday” -- that range fro...
