AltWeeklies Wire
Raashan Ahmad: For What You've Lostnew
Raspy-voiced Raashan Ahmad is one of those dyed-in-the-wool B-boys who really means it when he name-checks the five elements, or uses the word "peace" as a salutation.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
03-10-2011 |
Reviews
Searching for Bart Davenportnew
Davenport is the kind of guy who can make revivalism seem less cheesy because he outstrips his forbears.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
02-23-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Bart Davenport
Say Hi: Um, Uh Ohnew
If Kurt Cobain had retained the name of his first band, Fecal Matter, and moved to New York City, perhaps things would have turned out differently.
East Bay Express |
Nate Seltenrich |
02-21-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Say Hi, Marty Anderson
Katy Stephan: Lacemakingnew
Normally, one shouldn't judge an album primarily by its packaging or its patina. But the outer shell of Katy Stephan's new disc, Lacemaking, is of a piece with the music.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
02-02-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: The Nice Guy Trio, Katy Stephan
Amos Lee: Mission Bellnew
Amos Lee has spent the past six years cultivating a Starbucks-friendly fanbase. And not unlike Ray LaMontagne, Lee has subtly added to what was originally a sparse, stripped-down sound.
East Bay Express |
Dave Gil de Rubio |
01-21-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Mission Bell, Amos Lee
Deerhoofnew
Deerhoof vs. Evil.
East Bay Express |
Nate Seltenrich |
01-14-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Deerhoof, Satomi Matsuzaki
Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3: Northern Aggressionnew
While some rock 'n' roll types fizzle after their second or third album, others get better (or at least maintain a respectable level of quality) with age.
East Bay Express |
Mark Keresman |
12-30-2010 |
Reviews
Taylor Eigsti: Daylight at Midnightnew
At 26-years-old, pianist Taylor Eigsti has advanced from child prodigy-dom to young lion-dom with relative ease, toured with James Moody and Gretchen Parlato, and garnered accolades from Dave Brubeck. A
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
12-02-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Taylor Eigsti
Fistful of Mercy: As I Call You Downnew
It's easy for lazy journalists to label Fistful of Mercy a "super-group" given that the members are Dhani Harrison, Joseph Arthur and Ben Harper.
East Bay Express |
Dave Gil de Rubio |
11-12-2010 |
Reviews
Birds & Batteries: Panoramanew
Mike Sempert has one of those chalky, quavery, drawling, nasal, rough-hewn voices that we so often associate with modern rock.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
11-03-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Birds & Batteries
Jazmine Sullivan: Love Me Backnew
It wasn't that hard for Philly singer Jazmine Sullivan to supplant her nearest competitors as the next heir to Mary J. Blige. She's young, and gritty-voiced, and closer in sensibility to a rapper than a traditional balladeer.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
10-27-2010 |
Reviews
Lyrics Bornnew
Since his 2003 solo debut, Berkeley native Tsutomu Shimura has cemented his reputation as one of those nice guy underground rappers, all social justice and post-marital sex.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Dovey |
10-25-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Lyrics Born, Tsutomu Shimura
Thomas Pridgen's Rock-Soul Revivalnew
Ex-Mars Volta drummer forms a power-rock trio with soul roots.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
10-20-2010 |
Reviews
Bilal: Airtight's Revengenew
Phily soul singer Bilal Sayeed Oliver is widely regarded by jazz musicians as the best young male vocalist in the world.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
10-14-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Jill Scott, Bilal
