Keane

Perfect Symmetry

October 13, 2008

Alternative Pop/Rock

Maybe Keane was ahead of the curve on 2007's leftfield synth-pop switcheroo. Jumping from earnest, wide-eyed Coldplay/U2 worship to something akin to the Killers fronting a Bowie cover band, this effort is bright, often fun, and about ten years too early for its fans and the indie-rock sphere. While they dialed it way back for their proper full-length follow-up, this stands as their boldest, most fully-realized pure pop statement to date.

- Neil Z. Yeung

Nickel Creek

Nickel Creek

March 21, 2000

Bluegrass

To celebrate the release of first new Nickel Creek album in almost a decade, revisit their first real album of original compositions. A remarkably mature collection of indie-minded progressive bluegrass songs, expertly played and sung by Chris Thile and siblings Sara and Sean Watkins.

- Zac Johnson