AltWeeklies Wire
Joan Baez Gets By with a Little Help From Friendsnew
At the age of 67, Joan Baez has a stunning collection of recordings that rivals anything she has ever done.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
10-09-2008 |
Reviews
'All Hope Is Gone' is a Return to Form for Slipknotnew
Forget what the Bible has to say regarding hellfire and brimstone: Slipknot has now redefined the term.
Tucson Weekly |
Jon Hobson |
10-09-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: All Hope Is Gone, Slipknot
Bang Camaro Takes the Best of the '80s and Makes it Their Ownnew
The secret ingredient in Bang Camaro is its infectious group vocals that call to mind the spunky rock choruses pioneered by such acts as Bon Jovi and Def Leppard.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-09-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Bang Camaro
Castanets Built This 'City' on Rock 'n' Rollnew
Castanets nomadic mastermind Ray Raposa, no stranger to fusing his freak-folk with dissonance, noise or near-emptiness, is at his logical conclusion on Refuge. All his signature elements are incorporated, but the spare, hushed nature of his work is intensified.
New York Press |
Greg Burgett |
10-09-2008 |
Reviews
Love is All Tries to Keep the Embers Burning with its Second Albumnew
With A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night, the success of the previous album was in the back of the band's mind. "It's an impossible task to make a second record after the first one has been well received."
New York Press |
Christine Werthman |
10-09-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Frisco Freakout Makes a California Scenenew
Our state may be flush with wild guitar tamers, but the factors cementing a true sonic landmark -- connections among bands, clubs, and labels defining a specific sound -- are lacking in the Bay Area.
Ani Difranco's Latest is Overproducednew
Red Letter Year is a string of songs that, more often than not, sound heavy instead of layered, muddy instead of nuanced, and bury Ani's trademark percussive finger picking and vocal flexibility.
C-Ville Weekly |
Laura Eve Engel |
10-08-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Ani DiFranco, Red Letter Year
Giant Sand's Howe Gelb on His Band's Ever-Evolving Soundnew
"Whatever I've been a party of, music-wise, has been positive erosion," Gelb explained from his home in Tucson, his voice raspy and a little sly. "I think improvisation is too kind of a word, because it indicates talented people playing within a jazz structure."
East Bay Express |
Tom Chandler |
10-08-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Birdmonster, Tamednew
Norah Jones' producer ushers the San Francisco rockers into acoustic terrain.
East Bay Express |
David Downs |
10-08-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Pandora Boxes for Its Life in Congressnew
How the internet radio king harnessed an army of fans to beat back the broadcast radio industry and stay alive.
East Bay Express |
David Downs |
10-08-2008 |
Music
Is Yung Lyricist the Future of San Diego Hip-Hop?new
In a San Diego scene that has all too often focused on blunts, balling and bitches, Yung clearly represents that new breed of MC like Kanye West, Common and Lupe Fiasco with emphasis on issues of the heart rather than hos.
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
10-08-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Santogold is Showing Up Everywhere Right Nownew
You probably are digging her music -- but just don't know it -- when you're playing FIFA 08 and NHL 08, or watching Entourage, Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl (dude, I can't believe you watch Gossip Girl!), or when you’re glazing over during halftime of the Chargers game and those Bud Light Lime commercials come on.
San Diego CityBeat |
Nathan Dinsdale |
10-08-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Santogold
Crooked Fingers' Eric Bachmann Talks 'Forfeit/Fortune'new
Bachmann decided to release Forfeit/Fortune himself, and while he is using internet outlets such as iTunes, the record's only available at specifically chosen indie retailers, not the big-box stores the masses might look to first. He insists he's just being practical.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
10-08-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Crooked Fingers, Forfeit/Fortune
Emma Jean Branch's Songs in the Key of Strifenew
By the time she wrote her first song, Branch teetered on the cusp between typical hormonal drama and total breakdown. Although she grew up on the local stage performing alongside Mandy Moore at the Civic Theatre of Central Florida, Branch never found her personal comfort zone.
Orlando Weekly |
Justin Strout |
10-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Emma Jean Branch
New Anthology Resurrects One of South Florida's Most Revered Rockersnew
The case of Charlie Pickett is one of rock 'n' roll's classic stories of almost-was.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Lee Zimmerman |
10-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
