Music | AAN.org

Whitney Houston, R.I.P.new

Whitney Houston, the big-voiced belter who dominated radio in the 1980s and '90s and whose cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" spent 14 weeks at the top of the Hot 100, passed away tonight at the Beverly Hilton.

The Village Voice | Maura Johnston | 02-11-2012 | Music

Tags: Whitney Houston, How Will I Know, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, I Will Always Love You

Breathe Owl Breathe: The Listeners/These Train Tracksnew

I don't normally go gaga for precious, family-friendly concepts like a 7-inch vinyl record accompanied by a homemade, hand-printed-from-woodblocks children's book. But Michigan indie-folk trio Breathe Owl Breathe, led by part-time author Micah Middaugh, has crafted an exceptional release that deserves attention.

Tucson Weekly | Jarret Keene | 02-11-2012 | Reviews

Tags: Breathe Owl Breathe

Critical Massnew

Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn takes time out to get in touch with his serious side.

Colorado Springs Independent | L. Kent Wolgamott | 02-09-2012 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Hold Steady, Craig Finn

Clarity begins at homenew

Maylene & the Sons of Disaster make themselves heard.

Colorado Springs Independent | Chris Parker | 02-09-2012 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Sons of Disaster

Ruthie Foster: Let It Burnnew

In the hands of some jazz, soul and blues vocalists—Cassandra Wilson and Bettye LaVette among them—classic-rock tunes are becoming the new standards. On her terrific new album, singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster brings her signature blend of folk, blues, soul and gospel to the party. But she has help.

Tucson Weekly | Gene Armstrong | 02-09-2012 | Reviews

Tags: Ruthie Foster

Call it a Comebacknew

After lying low for decades, celebrated singer-songwriter Tom Rush has gone viral.

Colorado Springs Independent | Bill Forman | 02-09-2012 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Tom Rush

Air revisits Georges Méliès' 'Le Voyage Dans la Lune'new

Sixty-seven years before Americans set foot on the moon, French filmmaker/magician George Méliès imagined the final frontier in 1902 with the premier of Le Voyage Dans la Lune.

San Antonio Current | Veronica Salinas | 02-08-2012 | Reviews

Anvil frontman Steve 'Lips' Kudlow talks shopnew

The Canadian band Anvil has enjoyed renewed interest since the release of the documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil in 2009.

San Antonio Current | Gonzalo Pozo | 02-08-2012 | Profiles & Interviews

Of Montreal: 'Paralytic Stalks'new

On Of Montreal's last full length (2010's False Priest) there was a moment when the oversexed funk let up for an emotionally arresting (and dissonant) piano-and-strings ballad.

San Antonio Current | Marcus Rubio | 02-08-2012 | Reviews

Machine Head swarm drummer's hometownnew

Machine Head drummer and native San Antonian Dave McClain often contemplates his band's endurance. "The writing and touring cycle for our last album took over five years," he says. "That's longer than most careers."

San Antonio Current | Gonzalo Pozo | 02-08-2012 | Profiles & Interviews

Leonard Cohen: 'Old Ideas'new

It's a wonderful thing when artists you love surprise you with just how good they can still be, and that's exactly how I felt upon first hearing Leonard Cohen's Old Ideas.

San Antonio Current | Marcus Rubio | 02-08-2012 | Reviews

Jack DeJohnette: 'Sound Travels'new

Since making a name for himself as the backbone of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew-era band, drummer Jack DeJohnette has solidified a reputation as one of jazz's most accomplished and versatile artists, a seasoned technician equally at home playing fusion, free or hard bop.

San Antonio Current | J.D. Swerzenski | 02-08-2012 | Reviews

Paul McCartney: 'Kisses on the Bottom'new

Let's get all the obvious stuff out of the way first: Kisses on the Bottom, Sir Paul McCartney's new LP of famous and forgotten American standards, is well-produced with obvious reverence for its source material.

San Antonio Current | Chuck Kerr | 02-08-2012 | Reviews