Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong

Cajun Crusadersnew

BeauSoleil posits that you can be American, and be different, too.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 05-07-2012 | Profiles & Interviews

Perfume Genius: Put Your Back N 2 Itnew

Out of desperation can come redemption. From challenges that threaten to break us, we learn resilience. Dangerous excess can lead to enlightenment.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 03-26-2012 | Reviews

A Necessary Evilnew

Ari Picker takes the folk-pop and chamber music of Lost in the Trees on tour to promote a new album.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 03-20-2012 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: lost in the trees

There's something reassuring about the traditional musical values -- catchy vocal melodies, bright hooks, bouncy beats -- that Nashville tunesmith Madi Diaz applies to her chosen form, which is hard to call anything but power-pop.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 03-16-2012 | Reviews

Tags: madi diaz

Jenny Owen Youngs: An Unwavering Band of Lightnew

On first listen, this deeply talented singer-songwriter's third full-length album is almost overwhelming, such is its embarrassing wealth of beguiling melodies, effervescent arrangements and endearing almost-love songs. But each time I press "play," it gets better, and now I find myself looking forward to each new track as the previous one fades.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 03-04-2012 | Reviews

Tags: jenny owen youngs

Reaching Out Morenew

Ozomatli heads to the Rialto to raise funds for the fight in favor of TUSD's ethnic studies.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 02-16-2012 | Concerts

Tags: ozomatli

Hank Topless: It's So Decembernew

Trading in wry wordplay and hard-won wisdom, singer-songwriter Hank Topless uses his warm baritone voice to weave lovely songs of nostalgia, darkness and occasional joy. The nine classic honky-tonk tracks on this new album explore a combination of humor and emotional tumult.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 02-13-2012 | Reviews

Tags: Hank Topless

Ruthie Foster: Let It Burnnew

In the hands of some jazz, soul and blues vocalists—Cassandra Wilson and Bettye LaVette among them—classic-rock tunes are becoming the new standards. On her terrific new album, singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster brings her signature blend of folk, blues, soul and gospel to the party. But she has help.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 02-09-2012 | Reviews

Tags: Ruthie Foster

MarchFourth Marching Band: Magnificent Beastnew

Is there not something sublime about the best marching bands? Without irony, they deliver joyful melodies, inventive charts and the natural power of amassed brass—and for the last decade or so, Portland, Ore.'s MarchFourth Marching Band has taken the marching-band format in exciting new directions...

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 01-19-2012 | Reviews

Tags: MarchFourth Marching Band

Faves From 2011new

Our music critics discuss the best music from the year gone by.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong, Sean Bottai and Jarret Keene | 12-30-2011 | Music

Tags: 2011 in review, best cds of 2011, Best Music of 2011

Chris Isaak: Beyond the Sunnew

Chris Isaak was born to make this album, his tribute to the influential confluence of country, blues and rock 'n' roll created during the 1950s and 1960s at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tenn.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 12-30-2011 | Reviews

Tags: Chris Isaak