AltWeeklies Wire
Siblings Overcome Rivalriesnew
For the past few years, Eleanor Friedberger and her brother Matt have recorded together as the Fiery Furnaces, making whimsical, shape-shifting music that has won many critical raves. But recently when Spin released its annual "Cool List," Eleanor ranked No. 39, all by her lonesome. Matt was nowhere to be found.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Nikhil Swaminathan |
10-21-2004 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Fiery Furnaces, Blueberry Boat
Composer Explores our Collective Recollectionsnew
Such early musical encounters are the launching pad for Harbison's newest composition for the Atlanta Chamber Players, Songs America Loves to Sing, scored for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Mark Gresham |
10-21-2004 |
Profiles & Interviews
Why Morrissey's Solo Albums are Better Than What He Did With the Smithsnew
Morrissey isn't trading on the legacy he created with the Smiths' between 1983 and 1987 because he doesn't need to. The cream of Morrissey's solo output is every bit as good -- if not better -- than what he recorded with the Smiths. But to believe or disbelieve, you have to listen to the records themselves.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
10-21-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Morrissey, You Are the Quarry
Group Makes Connections Not Originally Intended to Existnew
The group mixes sprawling shards of percolating percussion with burbling bass and hiccuping vocals, creating a micro-edited chaotic bliss. But where past material bristled, Connector bustles.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
10-14-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Mouse on Mars, Radical Connector
Live and Well Celebrates Parton's Recent Worknew
Recorded and filmed at her theme park Dollywood, the 23 tracks are loaded heavily with bluegrass, but Parton gives some time to the string of '70s and '80s era pop-country hits such as "Islands in the Stream" and "Here You Come Again."
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
James Kelly |
10-14-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Dolly Parton, Live and Well
The Faint Pads its Pants a Bit With Latest Releasenew
Wet From Birth, the third full-length from serrated synth-pop revivalists the Faint, is -- despite the title -- neither a birth nor rebirth for the Omaha-based quintet; it is a gestation.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
10-14-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: The Faint, Wet From Birth
The Stripped Sounds, Dry Wit and Humor of Liverpool's Clinicnew
Clinic's music is built from small shards of melody and rhythm cobbled together unhurriedly rather than slogged out in terse studio sessions. That is surprising considering the taut nature of many of the concise songs.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
10-14-2004 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Clinic, Winchester Cathedral
Reissues Reveal Troubled Brilliance of Brian Wilsonnew
Wilson has completed and finally released SMiLE (Nonesuch), his "teenage symphony to God" and an exercise in "modular" recording. Now the obvious question would be does SMiLE live up to its legend?
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
10-14-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Brian Wilson, Smile
Chaka Khan Keeps it Real About Life, Drugs and Musicnew
Chaka Khan gives the scoop on her wild twister of a life, including a long battle with drugs, and her music, since she's just released ClassiKhan, a new album of standards ("I'm in the Mood for Love"), show tunes ("Big Spender"), and movie themes ("Goldfinger").
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Craig Seymour |
10-14-2004 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Chaka Khan, ClassiKhan
Positive Message Lies Under Furious Guitar Riffingnew
Expansively tattooed songwriter/guitarist/ frontman Mike Ness still sings with his trademark lazy, nasal sneer, and the band's intensity remains fiery, if not quite as confrontational. The difference is that there's now a positive message under the furious guitar riffing and rousing Clash-styled stomp.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Hal Horowitz |
10-07-2004 |
Reviews
New CD Has All Ingredients to Make it Album of Yearnew
With the release of the recent full-length album, the Good Life is a showcase of different moods, from near-waltzes to theatrically flavored dramatic fare to all-out white-knuckled, emotional proclamation
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Nikhil Swaminathan |
10-07-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: The Good Life, Album of the Year
Acoustic Trio Expands Boundaries of Bluegrassnew
Nickel Creek is becoming one of the most popular acts on the bluegrass circuit. The act is blazing a new trail that travels beyond the traditional parameters that define the genre.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
James Kelly |
10-07-2004 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Nickel Creek
A Look at the Funny, Crazy, Scary Lyrics of the Pixiesnew
To sing-along to a Pixies song is to put aside a want for poignant prose. In a lot of cases, the words are chosen just to keep up with the dive-bombing rhythms. It makes for some childish, nasty, and even ridiculous word combos.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Nikhil Swaminathan |
10-07-2004 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Pixies
Seattle Duo IQU Gets its Groove Backnew
Now releasing Sun Q, after a nearly four-year hiatus, Oiwa and Swiggs have created a work of bricolage bop. The album is textured by the duo's keen ear for stitching disparate sounds, a reflection of their finely nuanced collaborative relationship.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
09-30-2004 |
Profiles & Interviews
Finally, an Album of Original Material from the Mulenew
Not only does it herald the arrival of new permanent bass player Andy Hess, but the once-proud power trio has expanded into a quartet with the addition of keyboardist Danny Louis. Both are talented and eclectic musicians who help diversify, but not dilute, Mule's established, bluesy hard rock.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Hal Horowitz |
09-23-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Gov't Mule, Deja Voodoo
