Lancer Spirit Online

Classic Review – The Microphones: ‘The Glow, Pt. 2’ (2001)

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
September 28, 2015

At once a radical experiment in loud-quiet-loud dynamics and an intensely personal exploration of the self, The Glow, Pt. 2 stands out well over a decade past its release as a landmark in indie music.

Beach House refine dream-pop on ‘Depression Cherry’

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
September 3, 2015

The dreamy, charmingly retro sound that the duo has slowly molded over the years is at its most infectious on 'Depression Cherry.'

It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world

'Fury Road' reinvigorates summer action

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
September 3, 2015

The impeccable storytelling, huge cast of unique characters, and spectacularly over-the-top setpieces all come together to make a movie unlike anything else in this crowded summer movie season.

Vince Staples brings the past to life on ‘Summertime ’06’

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
September 2, 2015

'Summertime ’06' is the rare double LP that not only retains its quality through both discs, but manages to feel short.

Thundercat’s ‘The Beyond’ a short, funky trip

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
August 5, 2015

From the reserved, low-and-slow churn of "Song for the Dead" to the relentlessly upbeat, poppy "Them Changes," Thundercat lets the groove do the talking.

Classic Review 8/5/15: Godspeed You! Black Emperor – ‘Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven’

Evaluating a post-rock landmark

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
August 5, 2015

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is perhaps the foremost post-rock band in the roughly two decades the subgenre has existed.

‘Honeybear’ an irony-soaked Americana sampler

Father John Misty scores one of the strongest releases of 2015

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
August 5, 2015

Tillman builds on the bluesy indie rock trappings of his debut as Father John, 2012's Fear Fun, incorporating country, jazz and folk to make what is essentially a hipster's revisionist history of American popular music.

Classic Review 7/29/15: Sufjan Stevens – ‘Illinois’

Unraveling a nostalgic, beautiful indie opus

Conor Batttles, Editor in Chief
July 29, 2015

A quasi-conceptual album, Stevens weaves a series of unrelated tales centered in or concerning the state of Illinois, telling the story of the region in a way that is entirely unique and wholly refreshing even a decade on after its release.

Kamasi Washington takes jazz through time on The Epic

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
July 27, 2015

Over its indelible three hours, The Epic manages to live up to its name in both sheer scope and quality.

Mac Demarco keeps it simple with Another One

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
July 26, 2015

Mac Demarco's Another One is a satisfying followup to 2014's acclaimed Salad Days that helps to cement the 25-year old as indie rock's consummate court jester.

‘Cherry Bomb’ fizzles

Tyler, the Creator's latest suffers from poor mixing, bland songwriting

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
April 15, 2015

A sizable roster of guest features is a new wrinkle to Tyler’s tried formula, and it does add quite a bit to the album, but it has the unfortunate effect of making his own work pale in comparison.

‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ an eclectic masterpiece

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor
March 27, 2015

'good kid, m.A.A.d. city' was straight West Coast hip-hop; 'To Pimp a Butterfly' is 'Bitches Brew' by way of 'Maggot Brain' by way of 'All Eyez on Me.'