AltWeeklies Wire
The Elusive Van Morrison Sits Down to Talk About the Alchemy in His Pastnew
When it was announced that Van Morrison would close out the Hollywood Bowl's fall season with two nights of concerts at which he would perform his seminal 1968 album Astral Weeks from cover to cover, some longtime Morrison fans might have wondered if the mercurial Irish singer-songwriter was taking the piss out of them.
L.A. Weekly |
Scott Foundas |
11-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Keeping it Simplifiednew
Ever heard that old saying, "K.I.S.S. — Keep it simple, stupid"? Not that any of the four members of Simplified are stupid by any means, but they've been keeping it simple, and it works. The band has created a solid fan base in Charlotte and is slowly growing in popularity in other Southeastern markets.
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Jeff Hahne |
11-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
D.I.Y. Now for the Future in St. Louisnew
The Undertow Collective and Magnolia Summer are using technology to modernize their D.I.Y. creative vision.
Riverfront Times |
Annie Zaleski |
11-07-2008 |
Music
This Little Undergroundnew
Sonically, Philadelphia's Man Man and Brooklyn's Tim Fite don't seem the most likely of bedmates. But both acts work the luring whimsicality of children's stories with adult, sometimes dark intentions.
Orlando Weekly |
Bao Le-Huu |
11-06-2008 |
Music
It Wasn't Broke, but The Haunted Tried to Fix It ... and Failednew
When a band decides to experiment with its sound, that experimentation can either further its career or completely backfire. The latter is the case for Sweden's The Haunted and their sixth release, Versus.
Tucson Weekly |
Jon Hobson |
11-06-2008 |
Reviews
'The Way of All Flesh' May Be One of the Best Metal Albums Evernew
French ecological death metal? It's the only way to characterize Gojira's fourth full-length.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
11-06-2008 |
Reviews
Vic Chesnutt and Elf Power Team Up for 'Dark Developments'new
The most recent chapter in Chesnutt's life is a collaboration with fellow Athens, Ga., band and Elephant 6 members Elf Power, who back Chesnutt's songs so naturally that Chesnutt and Elf Power have to think a bit to remember how they all began playing together in the first place.
Tucson Weekly |
Annie Holub |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Deerhoof Stays Beautifully Quirkynew
On Offend Maggie, the band adds some muscle to its usual eccentric tunes.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Grayceon Lets its Prog Rev Up Organically on 'This Grand Show'new
Though San Francisco's Grayceon sounds nothing like Dream Theater or Mastodon, it wouldn't sound too out of place on a bill with either band: The trio combines prog's obsession with long-form composition and unconventional orchestration with metal's crunchy guitars and hyperactive drumming.
Washington City Paper |
Brandon Wu |
11-06-2008 |
Reviews
The Decemberists Take a Working Vacationnew
For The Decemberists, some of the indie-pop world’s most talented practitioners, "time off" this year has meant tackling the grand and unwieldy genre of rock opera.
New York Press |
Amre Klimchak |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Iraqi Oudist and Composer Rahim AlHaj Spreads Peace and Compassionnew
While countries around the world are in turmoil, their music lives on in refugee status. It makes sense, but it does rattle one's sense of cultural authenticity and what that means in the modern day. How does Iraqi music change when the musician doesn't live in Iraq anymore?
East Bay Express |
Tom Chandler |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Los Cenzontles Blends the American Experience with Traditional Roots Musicnew
The Bay Area's brilliant-hued musical aviary boasts dozens of rare and exceptional hybrid ensembles, but none have risen from humble origins to scintillating creative heights like Los Cenzontles.
East Bay Express |
Andrew Gilbert |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
New Dad Sam Prekop on the Sea and Cake and His Newbornsnew
This is Prekop's first time back on the road since the birth of his twins, and as much as a handful as two newborns surely are, Prekop admits that leaving them behind for a few weeks will be a touch difficult.
New York Press |
Brian Heater |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Grey Anne's Debut Sparklesnew
Anne Adams is sort of the Cinderella of the Portland music scene. She's a fascinating and mercurial personality, as direct and sharp in person as she is charming and personable when she performs.
Willamette Week |
Brandon Seifert |
11-05-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Duncan Sheik Jumps from Rock to Broadway and Backnew
Sheik is touring on the heels of winning a Grammy and two Tony Awards for writing the musical score for the recent hit Broadway musical Spring Awakening. He collaborated with lyricist Steven Sater and composed the original score.
Charleston City Paper |
T. Ballard Lesemann |
11-05-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
