Terence Praet
Author/Co-Author of 111 articles
Terence Praet contributes to The Manual’s New Music Monday column. He studied Philosophy and History at Skidmore College, where he was also the music director at the school’s radio station. He has worked in the music industry since graduation. Though he became a Portland, Oregon resident in 2014, Terence is a proud New Jersey native. He can often be found singing along to Bruce Springsteen songs and roaming the streets of Portland in search of Taylor Ham.
Spoon Heads Down New Sonic Paths on its Ninth Album
Spoon's ninth album, "Hot Thoughts," finds the band expanding its sound more than any other time in its two decade-long career.
Best Records of 2016: Car Seat Headrest’s ‘Teens of Denial’
Car Seat Headrest's 'Teens of Denial' combs the verbosity of artists like Jonathan Richman and Will Sheff with a classic rock-sized sound.
Best Albums of 2016: Top 10 Records of the Year
This week, we present our ten of our favorite albums of the year. These are not in order of rank, but rather listed alphabetically.
Japandroids Release Their Triumphant Third Album, ‘Near to the Wild Heart of Life’
Japandroids channel James Joyce and Clarice Lispector on their triumphant third full-length album, 'Near to the Wild Heart of Life'
Charlie Cunningham Lines
'Lines,' Charlie Cunningham's first full-length album, is delicate, quiet, and confident.
Sallie Ford Confronts Depression on Her Confessional Album “Soul Sick”
Soul Sick, Sallie Ford's appropriately titled second solo (fourth overall) album sees the Portland musician confronting depression and loss.
Jay Som’s ‘Everybody Works’ Is a Brilliant Piece of Bedroom Pop
Hear Jay Som explore myriad genres on her first proper album and bedroom pop opus, 'Everybody Works' (Polyvinyl Records).
Avec le Soleil Sortant de sa Bouche’s Sophomore Album, “Pas pire pop, I Love You so Much” is a Krautrock Odyssey
Avec le soleil sortant de sa bouche's sophomore album, 'Pas pire pop, I Love You so Much' (Constellation Records), is a krautrock odyssey.
Lula Pena Looks for Hidden Truth in “The Simplicity of Voice and Strings and a Resonant Body”
Singing the words of many authors in half a dozen languages, Lula Pena looks for hidden truth in "the simplicity of voice and strings and a resonant body."
Experimental Pop Band Aquaserge Combines Dance Music Grooves with Free Jazz-influenced Improvisation
Aquaserge tinkers with dance music rhythms to create the "as-of-yet uncharted dances" on 'Laisse ça être' (Crammed Discs).
Rhiannon Giddens Walks the Length of Freedom Highway
Rhiannon Giddens' ambitious second solo album, Freedom Highway, presents music based on "slave narratives from the 1800s, African American experiences of the last century, the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s and headlines from streets of Ferguson and Baltimore today."
The Delia Derbyshire Appreciation Society
Inspired by the work of one of electronic music's great pioneers, The Delia Derbyshire Appreciation Society makes beautiful ambient music.
Father John Misty Takes On the World on ‘Pure Comedy’
Pure Comedy finds Josh Tillman, as Father John Misty, using the contradictions in his work to take on the world, and he does it exceedingly well.
Explore the Sonic Cosmos with Night Moves on the ‘Carl Sagan’ EP
Four new tracks from the recording during Night Moves' 'Pennied Days' sessions see the Minneapolis band exploring the cosmic side of its '70s-esque sound.
Robyn Hitchcock’s Eponymous 21st Album is an “Ecstatic Work of Negativity”
Robyn Hitchcock's first self-titled album in twenty-one records is an "ecstatic work of negativity" that incorporates influences from across his career.
The New Pornographers’ New Album is a Standout Work of Fun and Thoughtful Power Pop
'Whiteout Conditions,' the seventh album from The New Pornographers, finds the band continuing to create delightful and often insightful pop music.
Fleet Foxes First Song From the Forthcoming ‘Crack-Up’ Finds the Band in Fine Form
Fans of Fleet Foxes will be pleased to find the first song released from the band's forthcoming third album, 'Crack-Up,' picks up from the band left off.
Music: Big Thief Digs Deeper into Darkness to Find a Brighter Light on ‘Capacity’
Big Thief's sophomore album, 'Capacity' (Saddle Creek), is an intimate exploration of turning pain and trauma into joy and love.
New Music Preview: Willie Nelson, Janelle Monáe, and Twin Shadow
April has plenty of new record drops in store, but there are three particular albums coming out this month that we can’t wait to hear. Here's a preview of the anticipated releases from Willie Nelson, Janelle Monáe, and Twin Shadow.
Reimagining Véronique Vincent & Aksak Maboul’s Not-So-Lost Masterpiece
Three decades after its initial announcement, Véronique Vincent and Aksak Maboul's collaboration has been realized and reinterpreted.
Wye Oak’s Evolving Sound on ‘Tween’
Wye Oak released 'Tween' a set of songs recorded between 'Civilian' and 'Shriek' on June 9th.
Wolf Parade Pick Up Where They Left Off on New EP
Formed in 2003 by Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner, seminal ’00s indie rock band Wolf Parade released three EPs and three full-length albums before going on indefinite hiatus in 2011. Early this year, the band’s social media became active again with a reunion quickly announced. An announcement of shows in New York, Toronto, and London followed as […]
New Music Monday: Wilco
Wilco released Star Wars, their first album since 2011's The Whole Love, for free last Thursday on their site.
New Music Monday: The Velvet Teen
All Is Illusory, the Velvet Teen's fourth album, comes out June 30th through Topshelf Records.
New Music Monday: Superhuman Happiness
Superhuman Happiness, brainchild of Stuart Bogie, investigates the relationship between humans and technology on the band's latest album, Escape Velocity.
New Music Monday: The Lonesome Billies
The Lonesome Billies self-titled debutm, It's Good to Be Lonesome, is a smart, winking nod to the outlaw country tradition their music is steeped in.
New Music Monday: The Sword
On High Country, their fifth full-length release, The Sword further embrace their hard rock influences and find clarity in their sound production.
New Music Monday: Worriers
Worriers' debut full-length album, Imaginary Life, came out last Friday (8/7) through Don Giovanni Records.
New Music Monday: Titus Andronicus
Titus Andronicus release their fourth album, The Most Lamentable Tragedy, on July 28, 2015 through Merge Records.
New Music Monday: The James Hunter Six
James Hunter released Hold On!, his fourth full-length album and Daptone Records debut, on February 5th.
New Music Monday: The Max Levine Ensemble
The Max Levine Ensemble's first album in eight years, Backlash, Baby, comes out November 20th through Lame-O Records and Rumbletowne Records.
‘Quiero Creedence,’ Is a Tribute to the Band’s Popularity in Latin America
'Quiero Creedence,' released last Friday, sees a collection of Latin American artists pay homage to CCR with new takes on some of the band's biggest hits.
Of Montreal Bring In New Influences on ‘Innocence Reaches’
Of Montreal will release its upbeat, 14th studio album, 'Innocence Reaches,' on Friday, August 12th through Polyvinyl records.
The So So Glos Fight the Good Fight on ‘Kamikaze’
Punk rock quartet The So So Glos released Kamikaze, their third full-length album, on May 20th via Votiv Music. Fervently embracing many punk ideals, the band is admirably community-minded. In 2008, a year after the official formation of The So So Glos (three of the four members have known one another since kindergarten), the band founded The […]
Pinkwash’s ‘Collective Sigh’ Out on Don Giovanni Records
Last Friday (May 13) Philadelphia-based prog-punk duo Pinkwash released their first full-length album, Collective Sigh, on Don Giovanni Records. Though Collective Sigh is the band’s debut full-length it is not their first release. In 2014, the band released an EP titled Your Cure Your Soil, and the next year released the “Cancer Money” 7″. Pinkwash’s name comes from a […]
Warmth Behind the Chill on Islands’ ‘Taste’
We return this week with Taste, the second album from Islands’ pair of new records. Recorded during the summer of 2015, Taste comes out alongside its twin, Should I Remain Here At Sea?, on Friday May 13th through Manqué Music. Both records are still available for preorder through the band’s wildly successful PledgeMusic campaign. The records may share a release […]
The Evocative Folk Music of River Whyless’ ‘We All The Light’
River Whyless' 'We All The Light' stands out from the indie folk crowd with intricate composition, affecting lyrics, and gorgeous harmonies.
The Frightnrs Say It All on ‘Nothing More to Say’
The Frightnrs' debut full-length, 'Nothing More to Say,' is a stirring tribute to the band's late vocalist and the Rocksteady genre.
20 Years of Hard Work Comes to Fruition on Paul & The Tall Trees’ ‘Our Love in The Light’
Staten Island's Paul Schalda releases an invigorating mix of Soul, Rock, and Americana on Paul & The Tall Trees' 'Our Love in the Light.'
Nihilism Reigns on The Wytches’ ‘All Your Happy Life’
The Wytches have created a darkly entrancing Sophomore album and have found something essential in their own sound and narrowed their focus to emphasize it.
Best Records of 2016: Swet Shop Boys’ ‘Cashmere’
Cashmere, the debut LP from Swet Shop Boys, covers a wide range of issues with wit and emotion in its 34-minute runtime.
Okkervil River Is Dead. Long Live Okkervil River!
Okkervil River released its 8th full-length album on September 9th. Titled Away, the record comes 3 years after the band's 7th album, The Silver Gymnasium.
Heart, Humor, and Punk Rock on A Giant Dog’s Latest Album ‘Toy’
A Giant Dog's fourth album, Toy (Merge), finds the quintet honing its sound into brief but but boisterous gems filled with humor and genuine emotion.
Waxahatchee’s Fourth Album, ‘Out in the Storm,’ Finds Katie Crutchfield Reawakened
Katie Crutchfield reflects on the aftermath of a failed relationship on Waxahatchee's fourth album, Out in the Storm (Merge Records)
Olivia Chaney & The Decemberists Celebrate Traditional British Folk Music As Offa Rex
Olivia Chaney and The Decemberists join forces as Offa Rex and bring a touch of psychedelia to traditional British folk music.
New Music: Tanzania Albinism Collective
In African, those with Albinism are often killed for their body parts considered magical. The Tanzania Albinism Collective offers them refuge through song.
We’re Dancing in Defiance with Antibalas’ New Album, ‘Where the Gods Are in Peace’
"Where the Gods Are in Peace," the second album from Antibalas on Daptone Records, encourages listeners to stand up against exploitation and displacement.
New Music Preview: Mavis Staples, Morrissey, and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
The three most exciting records of November 2017 are coming from Mavis Staples, Morrissey, and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.