AltWeeklies Wire
Chris Lopez Polishes a Muddy Legacynew
The reluctant local music fixture and founder of the now-defunct Rock*A*Teens has long radiated a modest and artistically frazzled presence in his hazy songs. Now he reveals humbly brilliant songwriting on his solo album.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Chad Radford |
08-18-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Moments Feel Cheap and Emptynew
On Appetite - which the band, tellingly, co-produced with Dave Fridmann - the quartet try to listlessly remake the Flaming Lips and Pink Floyd in their own image.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ray Cummings |
08-11-2005 |
Reviews
Many Standouts on Albumnew
Of the 40 tracks included here, it is futile to identify a few standouts. What's even more important than the actual quality of the work (which is amazing) is the historical significance of many of the cuts.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
James Kelly |
08-11-2005 |
Reviews
Album Goes Down Smoothnew
Recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studios, there's an appropriate restless cowboy vibe running through Smog's 12th album.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Michael Andrews |
08-11-2005 |
Reviews
Musician Approaches Craft in Refreshing Stylenew
Not only is this lo-fi ode to a defunct Omaha racetrack intertwined with the particulars of an intense but brief courtship in a reverse Slaughterhouse Five chronology, but it's freewheelingly catchy, bittersweet, and clocks in at a manageable 26 minutes.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ray Cummings |
08-04-2005 |
Reviews
Musician Reins Herself Innew
As Erin McKeown explores the metaphor of flight for rising above one's troubles, she leaves the bulk of the instrumentation to others as she sticks with guitar and vocals.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Al Kaufman |
08-04-2005 |
Reviews
Hazarding a Guess as to Why They Remade Thisnew
Watching trailers for the new Dukes of Hazzard movie -- and hearing its soundtrack -- is like watching the second-rate 1982-83 season in which the actors playing Bo and Luke Duke walked off the set: It's working like a $2 watch.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
08-04-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Outlaw Attitudenew
The music of Shooter Jennings and his band, the 357s, is bristling with renegade spirit and high energy.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Michael Andrews |
08-04-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Album Provides Most Assured Performancesnew
Originally a wry singer/songwriter, Hiatt picked up steam with 1987's Bring the Family and Slow Turning, only to go hit or miss throughout the '90s. His last three albums and his latest, though, show his focus rebuffed and sharper than before.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Michael Andrews |
07-28-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: John Hiatt, Master of Disaster
Hit-Maker Finally Makes Hits For Himselfnew
Rodney Crowell's third album in a career renaissance finds the singer/songwriter combining political concepts with an introspective approach he has newly embraced.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Hal Horowitz |
07-28-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: The Outsider, Rodney Crowell
Musician's Characters No Longer Seem Stallednew
Now, after a foray into guitars and unnecessary grit, Ben Folds regroups musically with his second, strongest "solo" album -- one that is excessively comfortable with becoming middle-aged.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
07-28-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman
Vans Warped Tour Attracts the Ladiesnew
Though punk rock is as much of a boys club as a sports bar, its commercial renaissance has attracted the fairer sex -- at least for this year's Vans Warped Tour.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Chris Parker |
07-28-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Foreigner's Legacy Through Aqua Teen Hunger Forcenew
Two writers for the Cartoon Network had to find a way to reveal to the world the awe-inspiring truth behind Foreigner. So the duo wrote Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode 203, "Revenge of the Mooninites," to share the story.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
07-28-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Foreigner
Album is Nothing Too Fancynew
On his fourth release, Tin Lily, Kansas City singer/songwriter Jeff Black churns out a brand of Midwest farmland rock sometimes akin to that which made superstars out of Mellencamp and Springsteen 20 years ago.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Mike Andrews |
07-22-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Jeff Black, Tin Lily
CDs Feel As Though They Exist Under Cloud Covernew
Balance 007 is no flatliner, but like an anesthetized patient's electrocardiogram, the pulse is perhaps too pain-free and steady.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
07-22-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Balance 007, Chris Fortier
