AltWeeklies Wire
Detroit Hip-hop Heads Look Back on the 'Hip-Hop Mayor'new
When Michigan Democratic House leader Kwame Kilpatrick was elected mayor of Detroit in 2002, he was readily identified as, for all intents and purposes, a member of the hip-hop community.
Metro Times |
William E. Ketchum III |
09-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Beardcore Pioneer Matt Kadane Enjoys a Moment of Optimismnew
Kadane avoids harmonies -- well, maybe an octave here or there -- on the New Year's self-titled album, just released on Touch & Go. Its delicate arrangements and thoughtful lyrics recall his former band Bedhead, which was often associated with the "slowcore" non-movement.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
09-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: New Year
Industry Heavyweights, Top-level Talents Descend on Durango Songwriters Exponew
Singer-songwriter Ashley Raines recalls the first time he went to the Durango Songwriters Expo, back when it was actually held in Durango. "One of the biggest impressions I remember was watching grown men cry."
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
09-30-2008 |
Music
Solange Knowles Tries to Seperate Herself From Her Sisternew
While Beyonce's primary persona is fiercely independent, domineering, and largely overconfident, her little sister presents as fragile, unsure, and in need of male protection.
Baltimore City Paper |
Raymond Cummings |
09-30-2008 |
Reviews
Daptone Captures the Mississippi of Right Nownew
Though it currently has a population of just about 1,300, Como, Miss., holds a large place in music history. Blues greats such as the amazing Hemphill family and Junior Kimbrough lived very close, up in the Mississippi hill country that lies between the Tennessee border and the Delta.
Baltimore City Paper |
Mike McGonigal |
09-30-2008 |
Reviews
Maryland Blues Label Severn Records Celebrates 10 Yearsnew
If it can't match the budgets and stars of the biggest blues labels--Alligator, Blind Pig, Rounder, Delmark, Telarc--it has emerged as a major presence on the second tier.
Baltimore City Paper |
Geoffrey Himes |
09-30-2008 |
Music
Think You've Seen it All? Wait 'Till You've Seen Kansas City's The Klangsnew
The sound of guitars, bass, drums and keyboards would be enough for most bands to get their point across. New KC outfit the Klangs does a little more to help the audience visualize the scenes in its songs about robots and alien wars.
There's Genius Below the Gross-Out Surface of 'Live at the Platypussery'new
The fact that Blowfly (born Clarence Reid) likes to rap about wet pussy, old pussy, fat pussy, and smelly pussy is not news. What's clever, however, is the way Blowfly takes already established standards on this disc and turns them into his own freaky-deaky platforms.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Jonathan Cunningham |
09-30-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Blowfly, Live at the Platypussery
'Brass Knuckles' is Nelly's 'Thriller'new
Brass Knuckles shows an artist who, having been deemed irrelevant, has come back hungry, utilizing every name in his Rolodex and teaching himself some new tricks.
Toubab Krewe Fuses Western With West Africannew
Yes, Toubab Krewe can, strictly speaking, be called a jam band. It plays the requisite outdoor fests, and it fuses Western rock with world music. But consider this band a moment before you dismiss it as just another draw for the drum-circle crowd.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Andy Mulkerin |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Toubab Krewe
Get Grebo With Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reactionnew
Anyone remember "grebo"?
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Manny Theiner |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Julie Fowlis Brings Gaelic Tradition into the Pop Worldnew
The story of Scottish singer Julie Fowlis neither begins nor ends with that of Angus Alick MacAulay. But, as is the case with all traditional music, to truly understand the tale, one has to dive into the river mid-stream.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Justin Hopper |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Cuilidh, Julie Fowlis
Ben Lee Has Earned His Place as a Youthful Elder of Indie Popnew
Lee was the kid fronting lo-fi garage rock teens Noise Addict when they were signed to a record deal by the Beastie Boys; eventually he rose to international acclaim via a series of stunning yet unpretentious solo records.
Artvoice |
Donny Kutzbach |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Ben Lee, The Rebirth of Venus
Raphael Saadiq Brings It Back to the Past With His Current Releasenew
Saadiq worked on The Way I See It for two years while creating singles for other performers. Like most of his music, it contains a sound reminiscent and respectful of the music he grew up listening to on the streets of Oakland.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Craig D. Lindsey |
09-29-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Raphael Saadiq, The Way I See It
Rewiring Hot Chipnew
After releasing their third LP, Made In The Dark, seven months ago and completing one sold-out headlining tour supporting it, Hot Chip are at that point where most bands hit auto-pilot until it's time to make the next record.
NOW Magazine |
Jordan Bimm |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Hot Chip, Made in the Dark
