A beautiful and expansive work that doesn’t deserve such casual, one-dimensional categorizing.   Full text...

These songs rest upon simple, sturdy progressions, played with muscle and grace and infused with a large humanity — a songwriting principle that's more Coldplay than Casablancas, which means that the album has the potential to be hugely moving (Parachutes) or maddeningly out of touch (X&Y).   Full text...

Their simple combination of drum, bass, guitar, and vocals creates a bluesy garage rock whose blurriness at times approaches shoegazer territory;. if there's a problem with the group's sound, it's that you can take only so many combinations of buzzing guitar and muffled drums.  Full text...

Remember this name: Erika Wennerstrom  Full text...

At the center of this maelstrom stands Wennerstrom, who plays a capably muddy blues guitar but commands more attention for her enormous vocals. Perfectly suited for the Bastards' brand of bar rock, her voice is a distinctive and forceful instrument, howling through these songs like a tornado through a trailer park.  Full text...

Chances are strong that All This Time will only enhance the Bastards' growing cachet.   Full text...