AltWeeklies Wire
Pete Yorn's Fourth Album is a Series of Conundrumsnew
Back and Fourth is definitely Pete Yorn's most commercial-sounding record -- but the lyrics are all too often cringe-worthy.
Tucson Weekly |
Annie Holub |
07-08-2009 |
Reviews
Son Volt's Brand-New Album Gets Back to the Basicsnew
With American Central Dust, Jay Farrar returns to familiar musical territory -- pedal-steel moans and shimmers, fiddle flights and trills, percussion passing time or skipping a beat, all surrounding Farrar's guitar in his signature melange of folk, country, blues and ballad pop.
Tucson Weekly |
Linda Ray |
07-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Return of Josh Ritter: Prodigal Idaho-Grown Musician Comes Homenew
At 32, the Moscow, Idaho, native says he's had a few big moments this year. He married, met Springsteen again -- this time after the Boss' show in the Meadowlands -- and did a live show in Central Park with the New York Pops featuring The Frames' Glen Hansard.
Boise Weekly |
Rachael Daigle |
07-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Eyes Wide Open: Blind Pilot Really Sees the Roadnew
For touring bands, a bicycle may not be the optimal form of transportation, but for Blind Pilot, riding velos and seeking adventure along the West Coast sent them soaring down the fast track to success.
Boise Weekly |
Mathias Morache |
07-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Beyonce: How Much is Enough?new
Entertain a morbid thought: If Knowles were to crash and burn her Thierry Mugler motorcycle breastplate during her current "I Am ... Tour" -- said to out-razzle-dazzle all predecessors with its aerial flips and 70-some costumes -- would she be revered like Michael Jackson?
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Kimberly Chun |
07-08-2009 |
Music
They're One of the Biggest Acts in San Diego -- So Why Does Everybody Hate Shark Attack?new
Since Shark Attack's formation, they've faced vitriol and criticism at nearly every turn despite packing crowds into clubs. And while they've gained respect in much of the DJ community, chances are that if you mention Shark Attack to someone in the scene, you'll get an earful of disdain.
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
07-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
How Atlanta's Garage-Rock Mascot Saved Himself Before Dyingnew
One year ago, the man best known by his stage name Bobby Ubangi was a rebel without a pause, partying like a rock star and working as the grouchy door guy at the Drunken Unicorn. But he got serious about his life, and his music, when faced with his death.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Chad Radford |
07-07-2009 |
Music
Michael Dean Damron Can Still Lick Any Sonofabitch in the Housenew
Plenty of musicians pay reverence to Townes Van Zandt, but not so many look upon him as a father figure. Michael Dean Damron does both.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
07-07-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Far' Feels More Serious Than Regina Spektor's Previous Albumnew
Sure, this is an album that contains a line about constructing a computer out of macaroni pieces, but sturdy production and easy, memorable piano melodies manage to ground nearly all of the songs.
Tags: Far, Regina Spektor
New Age Healer Dr. Reinalda De Souza Claims She Killed Michael Jacksonnew
"They think someone pumped him full of Demerol," she spat, her rage building. "It was a curse I learned long ago in Sao Paulo that stopped his heart. As soon as your story hits the street, the whole world will know that I -- Dr. Reinalda de Souza -- killed Jacko!"
Phoenix New Times |
Joseph Rossi |
07-07-2009 |
Music
How Michael Jackson (Sort Of) Introduced Me to the Rolling Stonesnew
Now that Michael Jackson's gone, it's how seeing that poster in my cousin's room led to "State of Shock" and a lifelong love of (and occasional obsession with) the Stones that I remember most.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
07-07-2009 |
Music
Tags: Michael Jackson, rolling stones
Remembering the King of Popnew
I think we can all agree that Michael Jackson was an icon. Although in recent years, his vast musical accomplishments have been overshadowed by the tabloid headlines, he's still the best-selling artist of all time, a rare performer whose appeal spanned generations and transcended gender and race lines.
Tags: Michael Jackson
Sunset Rubdown's Latest is Perhaps its Best Yetnew
Dragonslayer is a sprawling, whimsical journey into Spencer Krug's psyche, it features ruminations on relationships; emotional calls to arms; and angry, near-vicious screeds against his detractors (including himself).
Dallas Observer |
Ben Westhoff |
07-06-2009 |
Reviews
Gospel Claws' Debut EP is Well Worth Your Currencynew
The five-piece from Tempe, Ariz., plays straightforward rock with the occasional soul flavoring -- somebody's been listening to a whole lotta Motown -- and damn, they're good.
Boise Weekly |
Brandon Nolta |
07-02-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Gospel Claws, rock music
Wilco's Latest is a Necessity for Wilco Lovers Old and Newnew
Wilco (The Album) doesn't provide listeners with anything truly groundbreaking but instead is more a blend of their recent material with sounds from their distant past.
Boise Weekly |
Mathias Morache |
07-02-2009 |
Reviews
