AltWeeklies Wire
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
The Drive-By Truckers and The Hold Steady Consummate Their Mutual Crushnew
For a certain breed of rock fan -- those who like their rock literate and loud -- this tour is a wondrous fantasy, Hanukkah come early, OMFG. But for all the mutual man love going around, the two bands don't necessarily seem like a logical pairing.
Nashville Scene |
Lee Stabert |
10-31-2008 |
Music
Election '08: Considering Campaign Songsnew

The idea of using pop songs as campaign themes makes sense. With such clear choices this year, it seems fitting that the current presidential contenders might also appropriate music to help define their political personas.
Riverfront Times |
Lee Zimmerman |
10-31-2008 |
Music
R.A. the Rugged Man is McCain in the Membranenew
While he doesn't have the reach of Jay-Z, Nas, or any of Obama's other major-label shills, Rugged Man is using his notoriety and knack for controversy to rally troops behind the red team.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-30-2008 |
Music
The Best of the Worst: Metal's Most Notorious Album Coversnew

Heavy metal and Halloween go hand in hand.In that spirit, let's take a closer look at some of metal’s most notorious album covers.
Fast Forward Weekly |
Keith Carman |
10-30-2008 |
Music
Green Party VP Candidate Rosa Clemente on Musical Activismnew

Despite the inroads made by the hip-hop generation toward political mobilization, Clemente says, many of these organizations focus solely on getting out the vote and fall short of providing the information necessary to empower the community.
San Antonio Current |
M. Solis |
10-30-2008 |
Music
Soundtracking Change This Election Daynew

As the world awaits the results of the most important presidential election in, oh, 40 years, we've put together a playlist with song selections from some of Portland's finest musicians of tracks to listen to on Election Tuesday.
Willamette Week |
Michael Mannheimer |
10-29-2008 |
Music
Sarah Palin, in Songnew
The Sarah Palin songwriting competition that we launched four weeks ago drew in seventeen submissions, ranging from pop tune rewrites to fully choreographed videos.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan, Kathleen Richards and Nate Seltenrich |
10-29-2008 |
Music
New Federal IP Act Will Criminalize Culturenew

The Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 promises to do for music what Homeland Security did for air travel.
Chicago Reader |
Miles Raymer |
10-27-2008 |
Music
Reemerging Soul: Taking Stock of the New Staxnew
It's probably a little disappointing that the relaunched, now California-based Stax imprint hasn't made more of a cultural/commercial impact this year, though it certainly hasn't been from lack of trying.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
10-24-2008 |
Music
Inside the Mind of Of Montreal's Kevin Barnesnew
Barnes talks about mythology, insanity, sexuality, hard work and terror -- because that's what little boys are made of.
Montreal Mirror |
Lorraine Carpenter |
10-24-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Why is Boulder Chamber Orchestra Filled with Scientists?new

Over 30 percent of the Boulder Chamber Orchestra have backgrounds in the hard sciences. What's up with that?
Boulder Weekly |
Dylan Otto Krider |
10-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Return of Mingering Mikenew

For decades, D.C. songwriter Mingering Mike has refused to reveal his identity to the public. Given the right opportunity, though, he might just be ready.
Washington City Paper |
Jason Cherkis |
10-23-2008 |
Music
The Crystal Method Gets Politicalnew
The duo has released a remix of their first single, "Now is the Time," using part of a speech from presidential candidate Barack Obama. Entitled "Now is the Time (Vote '08 Remix)," the song is available for free on the group's website.
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Jeff Hahne |
10-21-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Foo Fighters Songs McCain Should Use Instead of 'My Hero'new

The band has not-so-discreetly asked McCain to stop using their music to rally his troops. We'd like to call on the McCain camp to do the right thing and pick a more appropriate Foo Fighters tune for stumpin'. Here are a few recommendations.
Seattle Weekly |
Chris Kornelis |
10-20-2008 |
Music