Music | AAN.org

Is D.C. Shoving Go-Go Aside?new

Natalie Hopkinson’s article in last Sunday’s Washington Post Outlook section, “Go-go music is the soul of Washington, but it’s slipping,” has generated some discussion thanks to its provocative title, its subject and contentions. But some of the piece’s contentions, specifically those suggesting a causative relationship between gentrification and the diminished presence of go-go within the city, raised my eyebrows, and I wasn’t alone.

Washington City Paper | Steve Kiviat | 04-16-2010 | Music

Tags: Natalie Hopkinson, Washington Post, Go-Go

Pat Metheny: Gadget Gimmick?new

Does the music produced by this amalgam of player piano and one-man-band hold up? Mostly.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 04-15-2010 | Reviews

Tags: Orchestrion, Pat Metheny

Pop Meets Soul in Sharon Jones' New Releasenew

Something a little different is definitely happening on album No. 4 by Daptone Records flagship act Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.

Tucson Weekly | Carl Hanni | 04-15-2010 | Reviews

Tags: I Learned the Hard Way, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Murs and 9th Wonder: Kicking It Classicnew

Murs has been among the best MCs in hip hop for nearly a decade, impressively straddling the line between the underground and the mainstream—and he ably proves himself again on his latest collaboration with DJ and producer 9th Wonder.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 04-15-2010 | Reviews

Tags: Fornever, Murs and 9th Wonder

Darren Hoff: Country Via Rocknew

Former Weary Boy Darren Hoff is getting back into the music groove with the Hard Times.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 04-15-2010 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Darren Hoff and the Hard Times

Gil Scott-Heron Exits the Darknessnew

Gil Scott-Heron was never able to cash in on the hyperbolic and lofty praise he received in the 70's ("The black Bob Dylan," anyone?), instead he faded into the abyss during the mid-'90s and beyond, only to occasionally resurface not onstage, but on a police blotter.

The Portland Mercury | Ezra Ace Caraeff | 04-15-2010 | Concerts

Tags: Gil Scott-Heron

Alan Sparhawk Journeys From Low to Retributionnew

Alan Sparhawk easily ranks among indie rock's most gifted artists. He's also one of the most intriguing.

Colorado Springs Independent | Bill Forman | 04-15-2010 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Alan Sparhawk, Retribution Gospel Choir

Steff Mahan's Musical Path Produces a Soulful Serenadenew

Without resorting to artifice or clichés, the Nashville singer-songwriter has a gift for writing songs that sneak up on you and, before you know it, get you all teary-eyed.

Colorado Springs Independent | Bill Forman | 04-15-2010 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Never a Long Way Home, Carnival Ride, I Tend to Lose Things, Steff Mahan, Nashville

Twisted Black Rhymes On . . . From Behind Barsnew

In 2007, Twisted Black (Tommy Burns) was sentenced to 30 years on federal drug charges. A couple of months ago, he performed the vocals for his new CD, Hustle or Go Broke Vol. 5, over the phone from prison.

Fort Worth Weekly | Anthony Mariani | 04-14-2010 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Twisted Black, Twisted Black Rhymes On, Hustle or Go Broke

John Hiatt: 'The Open Road'new

The Open Road consists of eleven brand new tunes, each imprinted with the trademarks of John Hiatt’s oeuvre — sultry blues licks, witty and thoughtful lyrics, and an underlying energy that drives the music through the pervasive groove.

Creative Loafing (Atlanta) | James Kelly | 04-13-2010 | Reviews

Tags: The Open Road, John Hiatt

Usher: It's Business Timenew

For those bored by the monogamy talk on his last album, Usher lets it be known that his pants have reopened for business on his latest, Raymond v. Raymond.

Creative Loafing (Atlanta) | Ben Westhoff | 04-13-2010 | Reviews

Tags: Raymond v. Raymond, Usher

'Runaways' Soundtrack Mixes Predictable Punk With Some Nice Surprisesnew

To answer your question, yes, Kristen Stewart can sing. For the most part. Her voice is a bit thin, but when you're channeling rockers the Runaways, technical chops aren't as important as chutzpah and attitude.

Creative Loafing (Atlanta) | Ben Westhoff | 04-13-2010 | Reviews

Tags: The Runaways: Music from the Motion Picture