AltWeeklies Wire
…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead: 'Lost Songs'new
Man, we needed this. After a decade spent slowly slipping into prog-rock absurdity (for reference, their last record featured a steam-punk fox with a laser gun on its cover), Austin's Trail of Dead is back to rocking the fuck out.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
10-26-2012 |
Reviews
Muse: 'The 2nd Law'new
You gotta hand it to Muse — in the tongue-in-cheek era, they are proud to be fucking ridiculous.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
10-17-2012 |
Reviews
Tame Impala: 'Lonerism'new
For anyone who has taken on the burden of upholding a new band or artist, you've almost certainly been caught in the "they just don't make music like they used to" argument.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
10-17-2012 |
Reviews
Mumford & Sons: 'Babel'new
First, some numbers. Since its release in 2009, Mumford & Sons’ debut Sigh No More has moved 2.4 million copies in the U.S.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
10-17-2012 |
Reviews
Chick Corea & Gary Burton: 'Hot House'new
Commemorating the 40th anniversary since the release of their groundbreaking Crystal Silence, pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton hit the studio again for their 6th joint-release.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
09-20-2012 |
Reviews
Deerhoof: 'Breakup Song'new
Deerhoof has always felt like the little band that could: a bit too eccentric to reach wide notice, but charming enough in their weirdness to stay on the radar.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
09-16-2012 |
Reviews
Cat Power: 'Sun'new
There are a few things we've come to expect from Cat Power, indie rock's most reliably miserablist singer-songwriter this side of Elliott Smith. Suffice to say, when she caps her new electro-pop album with an 11-minute "I Wanna Live!" mantra ("Nothin' But Time") it's pretty goddamn shocking.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
09-16-2012 |
Reviews
Stanley Clarke: 'The Complete 1970s Epic Albums Collection'new
Who's the greatest bassist of all time? Any poll will produce the same results: Victor Wooten, John Entwistle, Jaco Pastorius. Arguably more interesting, however, is who almost always gets left off these lists...
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
06-04-2012 |
Reviews
Mission Complete!: 'Emotionally Strong Enough to Be Your Man'new
In a scene where every musician seems to constantly rotate through at least five other bands, Mission Complete! frontman Ryan Teter has long followed form...
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
06-01-2012 |
Reviews
Esperanza Spalding: 'Radio Music Society'new
Esperanza Spalding is jazz's first bona fide star in decades. Understandably so: she's attractive, immensely talented, and plays an instrument bigger than she is.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
04-13-2012 |
Reviews
Jack DeJohnette: 'Sound Travels'new
Since making a name for himself as the backbone of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew-era band, drummer Jack DeJohnette has solidified a reputation as one of jazz's most accomplished and versatile artists, a seasoned technician equally at home playing fusion, free or hard bop.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
02-08-2012 |
Reviews
Alex Chilton: Free Again: The "1970" Sessionsnew
In 1970, Alex Chilton was about to maneuver a truly remarkable rock 'n' roll reinvention: from voice of blue-eyed soul act the Box Tops to mastermind of pop-rock pioneers Big Star.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
01-26-2012 |
Reviews
Hank Jones and Charlie Haden: Come Sundaynew
When Hank Jones passed in May of 2010, he left behind a truly stunning legacy secured over seven decades as one of jazz's premier pianists playing alongside the likes of Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman, and Ella Fitzgerald.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
01-19-2012 |
Reviews
Guided By Voices: Let’s Go Eat the Factorynew
2011 was a tough year for alt-rock nostalgics: R.E.M.'s break-up, Sonic Youth's expected split, even Pavement's reunion tour turned bittersweet on news that there would be no formal reunion or forthcoming release.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
01-11-2012 |
Reviews
The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Their Last Time Outnew
If you know only one jazz song, chances are it's by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. That tune, 1959's "Take Five," along with a string of successful subsequent releases, made Brubeck and his band the most well-known and successful jazz band of the '60s.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
12-22-2011 |
Reviews
