2nd Grade – Girls and Boys
The Philadelphia-based champions of contemporary power pop deliver a hook-filled concept album that plays more like a sharply dressed gimmick.
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Lead Story
Reviews
The Olivia Tremor Control – The Same Place
The third and final album from the Elephant 6 collective’s shining lights is a psychedelic feast for the senses and a timely reminder of Olivia Tremor Control’s enduring appeal.
Dummy – Do You Love the Color of the Sky?
Cameron Winter – Live at Carnegie Hall
Softjaw – Love Can’t Kill You
Holy Motors – Heaven’s Night
Features
10 Albums to Look Forward to in November 2026
Our monthly preview looks ahead to new records from Twisted Teens, Lael Neale, Fucked Up, Shygirl, and a little known Irish band called U2.
The 2026 No Ripcord Annual Report
The 2026 No Ripcord Reader Survey
10 Albums to Look Forward to in October 2026
Were 2009’s Defining Indie Landmarks Ultimately a Dead End?
Explore No Ripcord
Independent music criticism since 1999
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Guides & Resources
Start here for No Ripcord’s regularly updated guides, schedules and archive hubs.
From The Archive
The Magical World of the Elephant 6 Recording Company
To celebrate the release of The Olivia Tremor Control’s final album, we’ve reclaimed one of our archive’s earliest features, Jesse Jarnow’s wonderful piece on the magical Elephant 6 collective.
Death Cab For Cutie Interview (2002)
Big Star Interview (2009)
Black Tambourine Interview (2010)
M83 Interview (2004)
Insider Monthly
Lists
The Worst Albums of 2025
Enough of the positivity. It's time to get critical. What were 2025's worst reviewed records? And what do they say about the state of music criticism?
The Best Albums of 2025
The Best Albums of 2025: Bubbling Under
The Best Swervedriver Songs, Ranked
The Best Idlewild Songs, Ranked
Believe The Hype
The Olivia Tremor Control – The Same Place
The third and final album from the Elephant 6 collective’s shining lights is a psychedelic feast for the senses and a timely reminder of Olivia Tremor Control’s enduring appeal.
Greg Freeman – All Set the Bone
Protomartyr – Hotel Usona
Lily Seabird – Lightspheres on Their Way
This Is Lorelei – The Singer in My Band
Records Revisited
Albums To Look Forward To
10 Albums to Look Forward to in November 2026
Our monthly preview looks ahead to new records from Twisted Teens, Lael Neale, Fucked Up, Shygirl, and a little known Irish band called U2.
10 Albums to Look Forward to in October 2026
10 Albums to Look Forward to in September 2026
10 Albums to Look Forward to in August 2026
