Label: Viper Bite Records Released: May 19, 2008 Nice melodies, good hooks and the edges of its punk rock roots smoothed out, Paper the Operator’s sound seems like any of a thousand pop punk bands on paper. But there’s a little something else here. The title track has a punchy undercurrent that could sneak its way into the heart of… Read more »
Label: Free News Projects Released: November 18, 2008 Having grown up in the 80s, the current indie pop obsession with Casiotone pop is more annoying than charming. Of course, some bands pull it off and some don’t. Master Slash Slave is, overall, the former, but not without keeping at least a foot in the latter. The 80s pop-tronics of the… Read more »
This one sounds kinda fun. Go to www.SingWithTheKing.com and record your own duet of “Blue Christmas” with Elvis. And I always thought all those Elvis sightings were just crazy talk…
Label: Jagjaguwar Released: November 4, 2008 Over the years, the term art rock hasn’t had a real solid definition, but it has consistently included bands that push creative limits even if some sacrifice the raw ability to rock in the process. To not call Wilderness an art rock band would be a mistake, but to limit them to the trappings… Read more »
Song: GazzelloniArtist: Eric DolphyAlbum: Out to Lunch It is a testiment to both the Beastie Boys’ greatness and my stupidity (not to mention my short-term memory loss) that when this song began, I thought it was one of the Beastie’s instrumental tracks. Eric Dolphy was an incredible musician, and if you think flute is lame, just listen to what he… Read more »
Label: self-released Released: July 19, 2008 What would happen if the unabashed rock of the Who and the spunky power-pop of Cheap Trick took a drive down the twisting sharp turns of post-punk? Lanterns. If there is one quality that persists their Apocaplypse Youth EP, it would loud. Loud in the way mastered by big rock bands like the aforementioned… Read more »
HOPELESS RECORDS NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION SUB CITY ANNOUNCES THE 2009 TAKE ACTION! TOUR- WITH HEADLINER CUTE IS WHAT WE AIM FOR- ALONG WITH MEG & DIA, BREATHE CAROLINA, EVERY AVENUE, AND ANARBOR THE ANNUAL CHARITY TOUR ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE WORLD AND WILL AGAIN BENEFIT NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DOSOMETHING.ORG TOUR DATES, TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE… Read more »
Label: Columbia Released: 9/16/2008 A cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” is on Live From Boston, so I figured I’d skip right to that track and see whether Carlile and her band managed to do right by Johnny’s spirit. They did. What more do you want me to write? If that doesn’t make you go listen, nothing will. RatingsSatriani:… Read more »
A Thanksgiving tradition!
Song: Give Your Body Up to the MusicArtist: Billy NicholsAlbum: Larry Levan’s Classic West EndThis song might not cause you to rethink your opinions on disco, but if it doesn’t at least make you tap your feet, you’re probably dead.