AltWeeklies Wire
Gov't Mule's Main Man Says He Takes Time Off, But We Don't Believe Himnew
Warren Haynes reveals the depth of his blues knowledge on Gov't Mule's latest album, last year's By a Thread, which he released on his own Evil Teen label.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
02-23-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: By a Thread, Gov't Mule
Leela James' 'Let's Do It Again'new
Giving classic soul the kind of contemporary kick it's been crying out for, in the end Let's Do It Again only begs one question: "When?"
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
04-28-2009 |
Reviews
The Snake Charmers' 'Been Gone Too Long' Opts Out of Anything Flashynew
The muted Allman Brothers boogie of "No Mercy" and "Hoochie Mama" suggests the band is more than capable of cutting loose. Choosing not to, though, gives Been Gone Too Long a touch of class, and elevates it a step above run-of-the-mill barroom blues.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
02-17-2009 |
Reviews
Johnny Cash Gets the Remix Treatmentnew
Cash purists have every right to blanch at these mixing-board artistes slicing and dicing his songs, but the results suggest that even from beyond the grave, the old man is fully capable of busting a move.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
11-04-2008 |
Reviews
Mechanical Boy Puts Its Indie-Dance Foot Forwardnew
At first blush, Houston five-piece's debut Play Along doesn't sound too far removed from indie-dance bands like the Rapture or the Bravery, but scratch the surface and there's a rock band under there -- and a potent rock band at that.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
09-16-2008 |
Reviews
Indian Jewelry Occasionally Leaves Listeners Adriftnew
There's something inherently oceanic about Free Gold, the densely layered second disc from the (mostly) Houston-based collective headed by ex-Japanic/Swarm of Angels provocateur Tex Kerschen and wife Erika Thrasher.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
09-02-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Free Gold!, Indian Jewelry
Do Not Listen to 'Heavy Deavy Skull Lover' While Operating Heavy Machinerynew
It's hard to imagine doing anything while listening to Heavy Deavy Skull Lover except lying on the couch in a substance-induced stupor--cough syrup, hydro, opium, take your pick.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
07-16-2008 |
Reviews
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Create an Album From a Different Eranew
Some time before music splintered into a thousand different microgenres, the distance between jazz, R&B and even country could be easily traveled by a skillful ensemble like Two Men with the Blues.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
07-08-2008 |
Reviews
The Hates Retrospective Proof Sometimes It's Good When Things Don't Changenew
Houston's Hates — or at least the trio's sole remaining original member, singer/guitarist Christian Arnheiter — have been waving the circle-A punk-rock flag loud and
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
07-02-2008 |
Reviews
'One Hell of a Ride' Encapsulates Willie Nelson in Five Hoursnew
For a recording career that began more than a half-century ago in the studios of Pleasanton radio station KBOP, where Nelson recorded "When I've Sung My Last Hillbilly Song," his body of work acquits itself quite well in today's post-album digital age.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
05-07-2008 |
Reviews
Roky Erickson Howls Onnew
Erickson's recent rising to the occasion of Austin City Limits -- first festival, then TV show -- and this month's Austin Music Awards isn't the Texas psych icon's first comeback.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
04-01-2008 |
Reviews
Drive-By Truckers Create Dour Albumnew
Even devoted DBT fans may find the Alabama/Athens rockers' eighth album frustrating, or long-winded at the very least.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
01-29-2008 |
Reviews
Joy Division's Expanded Reissuesnew
With Rhino's expanded reissues of the dour Manchester quartet's three albums -- three different concerts (and one sound check) are tacked onto bonus discs -- plus noted rock videographer Anton Corbijn's new Ian Curtis biopic Control, Joy Division's moment has officially arrived.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
10-30-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Control, Joy Division
Billy Joe Shaver's Hard-won Faithnew
Save the title track, a curious hybrid of hymn and Native American ghost dance, the music on Everybody's Brother is better suited to honky-tonks than church-houses.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
10-16-2007 |
Reviews
Kevin Fowler's 'Bring It On' Brings Attitudenew
If you're the sort of country fan who prefers tear-in-my-beer laments to yee-haw lyrics like "We're still stirrin' up a ruckus, lightnin' ain't a-struck us," best move on.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
10-16-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Bring It On, Kevin Fowler
