AltWeeklies Wire
Caltrop's Ten million years and eight minutesnew
When it's exciting, Ten million years is a reminder of the energy to be found at the borders of hard rock and heavy metal. (Holidays for Quince)
Neo-mod Brit Brats the Arctic Monkeys are Slowing Down, Growing Up and Branching Outnew
A crusty British music scribe whose name I am unable to recall recently theorized that no one likes the Arctic Monkeys—until they actually listen to one of their records. But as soon as they were built up as the saviors of British rock music, they were knocked down.
Montreal Mirror |
Erik Leijon |
12-11-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Mumiy Troll, One of Russia's Biggest Bands, Looks to Make Comrades in the U.S.A.new
Earlier this year, the group released its latest Russian-language work, Comrade Ambassador, via American distributive channels. Mumiy plans to release an English album before long; in the meantime, the band hopes to win over a new audience with its U.S. shows.
The Pitch |
Ben Westhoff |
10-20-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
After DJ Nights and Day-Glo, the Band-Band Makes a Comeback in Baltimorenew
This "new" breed is influenced by groups as disparate as uncompromising postpunk band Shellac, psych-pop favorite Animal Collective, and Baltimore's own art-aggro trio Double Dagger, but they don't sound like them, or, for that matter, each other. And they're churning out a sound as exciting and unbound as early Dan Deacon-in-a-warehouse -- as un-retro as the Wham City scene, but working with the DNA of far more deeply rooted music.
Baltimore City Paper |
Michael Byrne |
09-08-2009 |
Music
Gospel Claws' Debut EP is Well Worth Your Currencynew
The five-piece from Tempe, Ariz., plays straightforward rock with the occasional soul flavoring -- somebody's been listening to a whole lotta Motown -- and damn, they're good.
Boise Weekly |
Brandon Nolta |
07-02-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Gospel Claws, rock music
Wilco's Latest is a Necessity for Wilco Lovers Old and Newnew
Wilco (The Album) doesn't provide listeners with anything truly groundbreaking but instead is more a blend of their recent material with sounds from their distant past.
Boise Weekly |
Mathias Morache |
07-02-2009 |
Reviews
Wilco's Latest is Soulful and Gorgeousnew
Full of radiance and subtleties, Wilco (The Album) is an ambitious yet confident record from a band at its peak, an 11-song odyssey that trades skillfully between tension and elation.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
07-02-2009 |
Reviews
The Church's New Album is an Indistinct Effortnew
Although Untitled #23 contains a couple of marvelous tracks and has received glowing reviews, it's mostly a return to the cluttered, swirling, noncommercial sound that The Church has long specialized in.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
07-02-2009 |
Reviews
Taking Back Rock: The JFP Interview With Joan Jettnew
Rock icon Joan Jett talks about growing up with rock 'n' roll, and what it takes for women to make it real.
Jackson Free Press |
Neola Young |
06-26-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Tinted Windows' Is Harder Than It Looksnew
The veteran lineup of Tinted Windows isn't a guarantee of power-pop success, which requires genuine emotional depth.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
05-11-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Tinted Windows, rock music
Los Lobos Leaves Disney to Reembrace Their Aztlan Rootsnew
Los Lobos are nothing short of a national treasure. Maybe their blend of norteno, cumbias, boleros, blues, country, funk, soul and good old rock and roll is not the signature sound for all of America, but it certainly is for that part which some view as "Aztlan," which includes both Texas and the band's East L.A. home turf.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
04-28-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Los Lobos, rock music
The Life and Times Hits the Road with a Joyful New Albumnew
The band proves that three dudes from the Midwest who grew up on Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin can produce music that, while not as commercially successful as their idols', is no less transcendent.
The Pitch |
Jason Harper |
04-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Fifteen Years After Kurt Cobain's Death, Would-Be Nirvanas Share His Broken Crownnew
Ever since Kurt Cobain, Seattle's seminal grunge hero, shot himself in the head, slews of would-be successors to Nirvana's sonic throne have come and gone.
Phoenix New Times |
Niki D'Andrea |
04-08-2009 |
Music
Kelly Hansen Joins 'Hot Blooded' Rockers Foreignernew
After more lineup changes than the average Astros season, Mick Jones reconvened Foreigner in 2004 and enlisted Kelly Hansen, formerly of the '80s L.A. heavy-metal band Hurricane, to sing lead.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
04-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Just Like Heaven': Pleasant Enoughnew
This compilation is fun, if a little lightweight, and serves as a reminder of the power of the pop song, Cure-style.
Tucson Weekly |
Kristine Peashock |
03-26-2009 |
Reviews
