AltWeeklies Wire
Queensryche Deploys a New Concept Album for the Troopsnew
Geoff Tate interviewed soldiers who served in most every military conflict since World War II. Their stories became fodder for American Soldier, a CD that explores what it means to be in combat from the perspectives of the fighters themselves.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Alan Sculley |
04-28-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Newcomer Has 20/20 Vision When It Comes to KC Hip-Hopnew
By far the most invigorating shot in the arm for KC hip-hop comes from the surge of just-turned-21 talent. The little guy with funny specs, Greg Enemy is getting some recognition.
The Pitch |
Nadia Pflaum |
04-28-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Los Lobos Leaves Disney to Reembrace Their Aztlan Rootsnew
Los Lobos are nothing short of a national treasure. Maybe their blend of norteno, cumbias, boleros, blues, country, funk, soul and good old rock and roll is not the signature sound for all of America, but it certainly is for that part which some view as "Aztlan," which includes both Texas and the band's East L.A. home turf.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
04-28-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Los Lobos, rock music
Dumate Brings Together Underground Hip-Hop and Street Rapnew
It seems that backpack rap is alive and well in Madison. That's thanks in part to dumate, the five-person hip-hop collective that performs with sharp rhymes, sizzling samples and progressive themes.
Isthmus |
Jessica Steinhoff |
04-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Black Moth Super Rainbow Prepares New Releasenew
Even as Black Moth Super Rainbow has emerged as a national touring act, a reputation for being press-shy and mysterious has clung to the keyboard-based psychedelic sextet. It's finally time to set the record straight.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Mike Shanley |
04-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Seattle Hip-Hop Act Merges Old-School Swagger with New-School Appealnew
Dyme Def lives on that thin line between cockiness and confidence. They fully embrace rap's boasting tradition, but they're comical enough with their punch lines and prose that it works.
Seattle Weekly |
Jonathan Cunningham |
04-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Avett Brothersnew
Scott and Seth Avett have bluegrass in their blood, but the pair actually cut their teeth on old-fashioned rock ’n' roll. Their fifth and finest album, Emotionalism, bears hallmarks of folk, rock,pop and even punk, filtered through the brothers' heart-on-the-sleeve aesthetic.
Gambit |
Noah Bonaparte Pais |
04-24-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Strange World of Bat for Lashes Is a Lot Like Oursnew
Hype and fans like Bjork and Thom Yorke notwithstanding, bat girl Natasha Khan's musical world is often a solitary and strange place.
Boston Phoenix |
Daniel Brockman |
04-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
C'mon, Del, Give Us Something to Care Aboutnew
Del the Funky Homosapien—probably the first rapper to ever sport a nose ring and a lip ring—has long had a peculiar way of traversing the hip-hop world, and his latest effort isn't any different.
INDY Week |
Eric Tullis |
04-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Detroit Rap's Fastest-Rising Star Creates Her Sonic Calling Card from Activism and Dissentnew
Invincible is one of the best emcees in the country, as many will tell you, gender notwithstanding, though the odds are stacked against her. Politicking in a pop world often spells fiscal failure.
San Antonio Current |
Brian Smith |
04-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Torche Takes on Metal with an Unlikely Arsenal of Pop Hooksnew
It's a little difficult imagining Torche's eureka formula of unalloyed metal power and unabashed pop hooks not winning over susceptible converts everywhere the Miami/Atlanta-based trio brings it. But to hear drummer Rick Smith tell it, Torche's hybrid appeal hasn't made things as easy as you might think.
Baltimore City Paper |
Lee Gardner |
04-21-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
West African Music Comes to Bouldernew
Kwasi Ampene's West African Dance Ensemble moves beyond the traditional drumming to give you the modern Afro Pop Africans listen to at clubs and on the commute to work.
Boulder Weekly |
Dylan Otto Krider |
04-19-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Mirah Returns with a New Albumnew
With 12 varied releases notched in her belt, Mirah's music has developed over the years from lo-fi bedroom fuzz to welling, multi-layered thunderstorms. But even with so many recordings, Mirah's newest album (a)spera is only her fourth full-length solo studio album.
Boise Weekly |
Tara Morgan |
04-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Horrors Dig Vinyl and Other Old-School Music Formatsnew
The five young Londoners in The Horrors say they play music largely because of their mutual love for many of the same things adored by rabid music fans like you and me.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
04-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Maria Muldaur Merges Swamp-Funk and Political Passionnew
She’s a playa, not a preacher, but Maria Muldaur can’t resist speaking out on the state of the world in her most recent album, Yes We Can!.
Monterey County Weekly |
Paul Wilner |
04-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
