AltWeeklies Wire
Punk Heroes Get Back Together for a Pair of Sold-Out Memphis Showsnew
One reason the Oblivians' two Memphis reunion shows feel more impressive than most is that it doesn't feel like musicians trying desperately to reclaim former glory. It was more like conquering heroes returning home: they return to a scene they've helped make bigger.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
06-26-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Songwriter Todd Snider Gets the Band Back Togethernew
"This will be the first time in 10 years we've all played together," Snider says of his upcoming performance with the Original Nervous Wrecks. "We'll play mostly stuff off [my] last three records, but we'll do a few oldies and probably take some requests."
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
06-19-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Reemerging Soul: Taking Stock of the New Staxnew
It's probably a little disappointing that the relaunched, now California-based Stax imprint hasn't made more of a cultural/commercial impact this year, though it certainly hasn't been from lack of trying.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
10-24-2008 |
Music
The Levitt Shell Opens Up After a Million-dollar Renovationnew
The rehabbed venue that hosted Elvis Presley's first paid concert, classic hippie-era blues and folk festivals, and other memorable events is being reborn as a family-oriented venue.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
09-05-2008 |
Music
Critical Darlings the Hold Steady Deliver Againnew
Essentially, the Hold Steady is Springsteen for people raised on "all-ages hardcore matinee shows."
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
08-08-2008 |
Reviews
Orchestra Baobab Shows the World Its Comeback was No Flukenew
While it's not as gravely beautiful or immediately bracing as Specialist in All Styles, Made in Dakar is as lovely and deep a collection of new music as anyone's likely to release this year.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
08-01-2008 |
Reviews
Three 6 Mafia's Long-delayed New Album Exploits Memphis Crimenew
But while grounding their music in the city's crime epidemic, Three 6 Mafia don't actually put much thought into the topic, particularly what it might be like to be the victim of the criminality they glorify.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
06-27-2008 |
Reviews
James McMurtry Returns to the Wastelandnew
The singer-songwriter sketches the lives of people trying -- and often failing -- to make it in Memphis.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
06-13-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Gossip Aims for a Big Crowdnew
In principle, I'm no great fan of the live album, but the Arkansas-born/Olympia-based Gossip is one band where a live album not only makes sense, it even makes sense as a major-label debut presumably meant to introduce the band to a larger audience.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
05-30-2008 |
Reviews
Roots Drummer ?uestlove Takes Al Green Back to His Classic Soundnew
After two pairings with Willie Mitchell back at his old Royal Studio stomping grounds, Green heads north here, recording with Amir "?uestlove" Thompson and keyboardist James Poyser producing and contemporary neo-soul stars Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, and Corinne Bailey Rae providing occasional support.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
05-30-2008 |
Reviews
Atmosphere Explores Other Folks' Lives in First Personnew
When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold is "dedicated to all dads," bracketed by the sounds from a child's music box, and focused on the lives of girls and women.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
05-23-2008 |
Reviews
Robby Grant's Pretty Meets Alicja Trout's Loud for Mouserocketnew
Mouserocket started out, a decade ago, as a Trout side project of sorts -- an outlet for lighter, poppier, more playful songs that didn't fit her other projects. But it's developed over the years into a classic, collaborative band.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
04-25-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Underrated Country Star Gary Allan Turn Pain into Artnew
He's underrated within the world of mainstream country, where he plays small theaters or opens for lesser artists like Rascal Flatts, despite being one of the handful of the best record-makers that genre's seen in the last half-decade or so.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
04-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Stax Sings Motownnew
Stax vs. Motown is, of course, one of the past century's great cultural rivalries, up there with Yankees/Red Sox or Beatles/Stones.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
03-31-2008 |
Reviews
Iron Mic Collective Creates a New Memphis Soundnew
Iron Mic's vitality comes in representing a considerable, mostly silent slice of the city's African-American hip-hop audience: people who don't relate to Three 6 Mafia or Project Pat or Yo Gotti and never thought there'd be Memphis-bred hip-hop for them.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
03-31-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
