AltWeeklies Wire
Pardon the Colloquialism, but the New Mountain Goats Album is Super-Duper Goodnew
The Life of the World to Come is so good it may make you giggle and squirm and play it over and over again.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
10-29-2009 |
Reviews
Tom Russell Eschews Modern Indie Rock's Emasculated Songwritingnew
"(Indie-rock) voices have become wimpy, and so has the songwriting," says Russell, 56, matter-of-factly, prompted by my first question: Where have all the real men singer/songwriters gone, and why doesn't indie rock offer any?
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
10-29-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Why? Wades Through the Strange 'Eskimo Snow'new
Started as a pet project by Yoni Wolf, whose deadpan raps and quirky musical tastes (culled from hip-hop, rock and folk influences) made for strange bedfellows, Why? soon swelled into a full-fledged band with Yoni's brother, Josiah, and friend Doug McDiarmid joining.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
10-29-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Eskimo Snow, Why?
While the Backstory of 'Guilty Women' is Interesting, the Music Stands on its Ownnew
When Chris Gaffney died, Dave Alvin lost both a close friend and the frontman of his band, the Guilty Men. Alvin formed the Guilty Women to perform at a festival last fall because, he said, he couldn't bear seeing the empty spot onstage where Gaffney used to stand.
Tucson Weekly |
Linda Ray |
10-15-2009 |
Reviews
'Before the Frost ...' is a Return to Form for The Black Crowesnew
The Crowes have not sounded this relaxed and vital at the same time in many years, tackling classic rock, psychedelia, blues, country and R&B.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-15-2009 |
Reviews
The Big Pink Feels Like a Marketing Ploynew
On A Brief History of Love, they've taken everything self-indulgent and whiny about Oasis and fused it with everything redundant and artificial about The Postal Service.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
10-15-2009 |
Reviews
The Debut from Girls is Shaggy and Masterfulnew
A stunning success of musical pastiche, Album, like Girls leader Christopher Owens, appeals as equally touching and troubled.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
10-07-2009 |
Reviews
Circulatory System's Latest Pushes the Band's Experimental Side to the Forefrontnew
Eight years have passed since its first album, and Circulatory System is back with Signal Morning, a hectic and sonically dense collection.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
10-07-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Signal Morning, Circulatory System
Metal Stalwarts Dying Fetus Take on an Empire With Clawsnew
Pared down to a three-piece Baltimore's Dying Fetus should possess a diminished sonic presence. However, such is definitely not the case with Descend Into Depravity; indeed, the band sounds absolutely recharged.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
10-07-2009 |
Reviews
The Raveonettes' 'In and Out of Control' is Unevennew
The Raveonettes' terrific last record focused on hedonism, consequences be damned. Now, they're talking about the fallout of indulging in bad things, and that's just not as fun.
Tucson Weekly |
Kristine Peashock |
10-07-2009 |
Reviews
'Aim and Ignite' by fun. is Theatric and Happynew
Aim and Ignite rushes along with the exuberant flair and candied adrenaline that you'd expect from a band named fun.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
10-07-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Aim and Ignite, fun.
The Self-Obsessed Songsmith Lou Barlow Returns with 'Goodnight Unknown'new
After Sebadoh and the uninspiring Folk Implosion, Lou Barlow's releasing his second solo album -- and it's nice to have him back.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
10-07-2009 |
Reviews
Toubab Krewe Branches Out with New Instruments and Geographic Influencesnew
In some ways, Toubab Krewe may actually come closer to giving us a sense of West African music than any Putumayo production. In fact, you could say they're the real deal, were it not for what some ethnology snobs might consider a cultural-appropriation problem: The band hails from Asheville, N.C.
Tucson Weekly |
Linda Ray |
10-07-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Former Ghosts Have a Long-Distance Relationshipnew
This trio makes beautiful music together, even though they all live in different places.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-07-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Fleurs, Former Ghosts
Pearl Jam's 'Backspacer' is Most Impressive for Not Making Concessionsnew
With Pearl Jam experiencing a renaissance of late -- aided by 2006's eponymous return to form and a well-deserved live reputation -- the group is moving forward with its loosest album to date.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
09-23-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Backspacer, Pearl Jam
