AltWeeklies Wire
Hank Topless: It's So Decembernew
Trading in wry wordplay and hard-won wisdom, singer-songwriter Hank Topless uses his warm baritone voice to weave lovely songs of nostalgia, darkness and occasional joy. The nine classic honky-tonk tracks on this new album explore a combination of humor and emotional tumult.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
02-13-2012 |
Reviews
Tags: Hank Topless
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
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
Frank Turner: The Second Three Yearsnew
British folk-punk singer Frank Turner is gunning for the mantle occupied by the late, revered Joe Strummer, and the restless elder statesman Billy Bragg.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
02-02-2012 |
Reviews
Genre Bendersnew
For the Electric Blankets, every new song is like a beloved new child.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
02-01-2012 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: electric blankets
MarchFourth Marching Band: Magnificent Beastnew
Is there not something sublime about the best marching bands? Without irony, they deliver joyful melodies, inventive charts and the natural power of amassed brass—and for the last decade or so, Portland, Ore.'s MarchFourth Marching Band has taken the marching-band format in exciting new directions...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
01-19-2012 |
Reviews
Bombay Bicycle Club: A Different Kind of Fixnew
North London's Bombay Bicycle Club is like that kid in class who makes it all too easy to pick on him. Rarely do American bands get away with the sort of precious, earnest and affected evocation found on BBC's third studio album, A Different Kind of Fix.
Tucson Weekly |
Mike Prevatt |
01-13-2012 |
Reviews
Tags: Bombay Bicycle Club
The Tall Paul Band: Sleepernew
Blues guitarist Tall Paul Webner has been flying under the local radar for more than 20 years, playing off nights in bars often well off the beaten path. Yet, mention his name to any number of working musicians, and the response is often, "Man, that guy can play!"
Tucson Weekly |
Jim Lipson |
01-02-2012 |
Reviews
Faves From 2011new
Our music critics discuss the best music from the year gone by.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong, Sean Bottai and Jarret Keene |
12-30-2011 |
Music
Chris Isaak: Beyond the Sunnew
Chris Isaak was born to make this album, his tribute to the influential confluence of country, blues and rock 'n' roll created during the 1950s and 1960s at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tenn.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-30-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Chris Isaak
Jewish Soul Musicnew
Neshama Carlebach and the Green Pastures Baptist Church Choir want to give people something to hold on to.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-18-2011 |
Profiles & Interviews
Los Campesinos!: Hello Sadness (Arts & Crafts)new
A first listen to the sturdy fourth album by Welsh cadre Los Campesinos!, Hello Sadness, can be distressing. Gareth Campesinos! snarls uncomfortably naked lines; the music vacillates almost incongruously from overcharged to restrained; and the whole ordeal feels profoundly removed from the band's previous work...
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
12-15-2011 |
Reviews
Spirituality and Rhythmnew
Adrian Quesada and Martin Perna take Ocote Soul Sounds on the road.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-12-2011 |
Profiles & Interviews
Bard With Boozenew
The great Kinky Friedman arrives in Tucson, solo, to do some sellin' and singin'
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-12-2011 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Kinky Friedman
Sabra Faulk: Acoustic Angelnew
Those in the business of writing about music love to make comparisons; it makes the job easier. This makes it all the more challenging (and gratifying!)
Tucson Weekly |
Jim Lipson |
12-05-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: sabra faulk
