Kenneth Herman

6 Articles

Tyler creates scary good tunes on “Wolf”

By Kenneth Herman -

For a rapper who once joked about raping Goldilocks and murdering Bruno Mars, it seems out of character to hear Odd Future ringleader Tyler, the Creator say “you’re my girl, you’re my girlfriend” and “I like when we hold hands, I’m in love” on his new album, “Wolf.”

James Blake mixes new and old

By Kenneth Herman -

The problem with many of James Blake’s contemporaries (electronic musicians and songwriters alike) is a lack of character. Producer and singer-songwriter Blake is able to pair his electronic musings with years of jazz and classical piano training, drawing influence anywhere from Errol Garner to Drake. On his new record, “Overgrown,” Blake uses electronic sounds more...

Supergroup Atoms For Peace unites for AMOK

By Kenneth Herman -

“AMOK” is the new album from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke’s solo outfit Atoms for Peace, a “super group” including Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Flea, Beck drummer Joey Waronker, percussionist Mauro Refosco and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. Yorke’s second non-Radiohead LP since 2006’s brilliant “The Eraser,” “AMOK” is one of the warmest records Thom Yorke has...

Grizzly Bear: Shields

By Kenneth Herman -

Stripped down vocals, modest instrumentation and inventive compositions comprise “Shields.”

Label Spotlight: Warp Records

By Kenneth Herman -

The legacy of Warp artists extends well beyond their label imprint. Aphex Twin, one of Warp’s more famous artists, has been a major influence on contemporary musicians from Skrillex to Kanye West.