I was trying to convince a friend to check out Belle and Sebastian’s If You’re Feeling Sinister recently. He tried several times to make it through the album, but couldn’t handle Stuart Murdoch’s vocals. I remembered a similar response the first time I heard them, so for the past couple months I’ve carried […]
Brian Wilson’s Smile was the best album of last year. Hands-down. The performance of Smile, accompanied by his 18-piece band, at Denver’s Paramount Theater last October was absolutely fantastic. So it pains me a little bit to portray Brian in anything but a genius light. But his interviews are such a […]
I don’t know what to make of this. Today, Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan) took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune with the title “A Message to Chicago from Billy Corgan.”
For over 17 years I have been proud to represent Chicago as an artist through my words and music, and […]
Everyone’s favorite Duluth, slow-core, Mormon, husband-and-wife duo Low were interviewed last week on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Alan and Mimi thoughtfully talk about the intellectual origins of the band’s sound, Alan’s recent emotional instabilities, and their family relationship. It’s an interesting interview, but Terry (arguably radio’s greatest interviewer) lacks her typically […]
I really enjoyed Aiming for Your Head, the 2004 release from the exciting young New Zealand, err, Austraila, err, English band, Betchadupa. The CD combined the instantly recognizable melodic sense (and voice) of leader Liam Finn - son of Split Enz / Crowded house frontman Neil Finn - with wild youthful energy and […]
Mission of Burma, the Pixies, Gang of Four. What essential band will join the reunion bandwagon next? Stryper.
After a 10 year hiatus, Christian heavy metal band Stryper is planning a new studio release for August, currently titled Reborn. Also check out this 8-track version of their seminal album, To Hell […]
How does an unsigned band from Denver find national critical and radio coverage? Denver’s world punk outfit Devotchka has figured it out - put out vibrant, interesting music and live the “hip unsigned band” honeymoon as long as possible.
The eclectic quartet performs an energetic mix of Eastern European and South American music […]