Articles by Linnie Greene

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists is well versed in the art of despair. On The Brutalist Bricks, the band touts its heartbreak like a battle scar, weaving tales of unrequited, unresolved love alongside Leo’s restless, punk rock libretto.

Like any good student of rock ‘n’ roll, it’s clear that Blag’ard has done its homework.

On Mach II, the Chapel Hill duo has crafted a set of anthemic, anarchic songs that recall the hard-rocking garage greats, and while the tracks vary in their effectiveness, Blag’ard asserts its old-school roots with a big middle finger to indie fads.

Unlike many “session” albums, Schooner’s latest release doesn’t abandon conciseness in favor of a few quick studio jams. There are no dawdling tracks, no sprawling compositions — instead, the Chapel Hill band has crafted six songs that distill warm, summery pop into a brief and melodic romp that blossoms like a springtime bud.

Dive Verdict: 4.5 of 5 Stars

The title of Beach House’s third full-length release says little about its content. From the first gasp of Victoria Legrand’s powerful vocals to Alex Scally’s seething guitar, it’s clear that Teen Dream is far more sophisticated than its name suggests.

Unlike the whimsy that accompanies most pubescent fantasies, Beach House imbues the album with gravity and depth, blending equal parts experimentation and polish on an album that shines with originality and intensity.