AltWeeklies Wire
Sonic Youth Gets Better With Agenew
The almost unanimous verdict on The Eternal is not only that Sonic Youth sounds more energized than in years, but that the long-running alt-rock icons have come damn close to recapturing the form that made them legends in the first place.
The Georgia Straight |
Mike Usinger |
07-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
With 'Fantasies,' Metric Has Assumed Control of its Own Destinynew
Without by-the-book label executives to answer to, or an out-of-touch A&R department breathing down its back, Metric revelled in the opportunity to be more daring in its musical choices this time around.
The Georgia Straight |
Jenny Charlesworth |
07-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Bad Things Happen When Fans Get Behind the Cameranew
Digital democratization of the means of film production has brought us to the point where every subculture on the planet seems to have generated its own documentary. Formlessness and boosterism afflict all of these films to some damaging degree, but Until the Light Takes Us is in a class of its own for wasted cinematic potential.
Chicago Reader |
Cliff Doerksen |
07-27-2009 |
Reviews
Japandroids Escape Vancouver and Invade Americanew
It's easy to pin their heavy style as garage rock, but despite the abbreviated guitar-and-drums lineup, Japandroids' sound is anything but minimalist.
The Portland Mercury |
Ned Lannamann |
07-24-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Japandroids, Post-Nothing
Gogol Bordello: Just Gypsies Passing Throughnew
The great danger of Gogol Bordello's music is that it resonates with rootless Americans, searching for identity and fairly blasé about grammar ourselves. Amidst the good-time atmosphere of their songs, listeners find themselves drawn into a message they might otherwise have dismissed as hippie BS.
Orlando Weekly |
T.I. Fraser |
07-24-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
America's Finest Soul Singer Has Finally Arrivednew
Betty LaVette's performance at Obama's inaugural celebration and duet with Paul McCartney are both a far cry from the $50-a-night gigs. But it's really all of us who have come late to the party.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
07-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Is Mark Mallman a Genius or a Novelty Act? Probably Bothnew
Mallman's first marathon performance took place in 1999 at a Minneapolis bar he played a single song for 26 hours. Five years later, he went back to play another song, this time for 52 hours.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
07-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Belated Glory of Anvilnew
The recent success of the documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil has brought the mostly obscure, longtime metal band Anvil more mainstream attention than they've ever enjoyed.
Boston Phoenix |
Daniel Brockman |
07-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
It's Your Noise, Too: Merge Records Turns 20new
Instead of pursuing the cold, quick cash-in of some hot new trend, Merge has consistently sought out the songs and bands its owners loved.
The Fiery Furnaces Return With a Very Good Albumnew
If you've ever been on the fence about this band's experimental excess, but enjoyed their more-cohesive moments, you'll be pleased by I'm Going Away.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
07-23-2009 |
Reviews
'Bitte Orca' is Aggravatingly Goodnew
The newest album from Brooklyn's Dirty Projectors is downright parasitic: It's an album composed of often noxious components that is deftly able to worm its way into the listener's heart.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
07-23-2009 |
Reviews
Evan Dando's Cover Album 'Varshons' Could Easily Be Filed Next to Loretta Lynnnew
Unbelievably, Dando does Townes Van Zandt ("Waiting Around to Die") better than the late songwriter's disciple, Steve Earle, giving the song a hazy, horse-ride-at-dawn touch. If you enjoyed Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' Raising Sand or Cat Power's covers, the Lemonheads' Varshons will dazzle and delight.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
07-23-2009 |
Reviews
The Metal Shakespeare Company Brings the Ax Down on the Bardnew
Jason Simms is quick to point out that the metal the Metal Shakespeare Company invokes is neither death nor thrash, since "methinks our death-metal-and-thrash cousin wouldst suit perhaps another poet."
Tucson Weekly |
Annie Holub |
07-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Proposal to Ban 18+ Shows Could Kill the Minneapolis Music Scenenew
The City Council is exploring restrictions on 18+ events, due to concerns that binge drinking is a problem among minors. If the ordinance passes, it leaves two options: dry shows for the all-ages crowd or 21+ shows where the booze flows freely.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Jen Boyles |
07-22-2009 |
Music
Sonic Youth Grows Older, but the Music Never Grows Oldnew
Together since 1981, Sonic Youth has been admired, emulated, studied and chronicled. They played an integral part in the early 80s East Coast "no wave" movement, in which the trajectories of art, music and performance collided.
Boise Weekly |
Amy Atkins |
07-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
