Remember back about a year ago when I said Mumford and Sons were your new favorite family? Well, if you don’t here’s a potent reminder. Fresh off a whirlwind week at CMJ, the boys have returned to London for some much needed rest. Announcing their new US home of Glassnote records last week and an [...]

The Bad Plus was formed in Minneapolis in 2000 by pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson, and drummer Dave King. Generally, and largely accurately, they are classified as a jazz trio. However, it’s in some sense limiting to try and fit them into any one genre. From the beginning, all of their recordings have featured [...]

here they are on fallon with the roots. new record in september.

 
THE HOLD STEADY COVER BRYAN ADAMS
Craig Finn shared vocals with former Arab Strap guitarist Malcolm Middleton on ’80s rock radio staple “Run To You” (along with Led Zeppelin’s “Your Time Is Gonna Come” and Malcolm’s own “Kiss At The Station”) in a recent live session on BBC Radio 1. The occasion was a celebratory send-off [...]

Just Awesome!

The Gaslight Anthem is a band from New Jersey that combines melodic punk (think Social Distortion) with the storytelling of Bruce Springsteen. While location is important for most bands, it is especially true for this quartet due to the comparisons they have drawn to Springsteen. To me, the major points of comparison lie in the [...]

Due to being in Detroit, being struck down by the flu, and the election, my focus on music has been somewhat diminished—and this is certainly uncommon for me. However, during my illness, I received Samantha Crain’s amazing EP, The Confiscation. This singer and guitarist is just 21 years old, but writes like a much more [...]

Femi Kuti has just released another fantastic album, Day By Day.  I usually leave the World Music things here to Megan, but this album really grabbed me.  The familiar themes are here – Justice, Unity, Equality and the dance grooves we’ve come to expect from traditional Afrobeat music.  What Femi does better than any other [...]

The NY band O’Death’s third LP begins ominously with the fingerpicked fiddle on “Lowtide” harkening the chaos about to ensue.  Its slow ride into the panicked melody to follow best characterizes this band that defies description.  They take the best of Old Crow Medicine show but offset that with the darkness and morose yet contemplative lyrics that [...]

Its been a few weeks so there’s probably a new Ryan Adams record out.  Let’s review it.  Why do I choose to finally review a Ryan record?  Well his band has grown up here – on Cardinology that is..  The lead track “Born Into A Light” shows a new level of restraint and the soft [...]

Hank III sounds today like what his grandaddy did 60 years ago.  The epitome of no holds barred, contrary to the mainstream beliefs and no fear of repercussions for saying exactly what he feels.  I’ve been enjoying his continued success and his latest, Damn Right Rebel Proud is no disappointment.  
He’s always hit you hard right out of [...]

So many words come to mind when I listen to The Sea and Cake.  For almost 20 years they have offered such pleasing songs to an otherwise less than pleasing world.  Moody, breezy, sparse or dense depending on the song…  Jazz for the non-jazz fan.  Jazz for the cred kid. Jazz for the indie rocker.  Jazz [...]

The new track from Mike Skinner aka The Streets is perfect B-Boy Brit-Rap.  Yes you heard that right.  Since his first record, Original Pirate Material, he’s cranked out sporadic bits of genius.  I’m not a huge fan of the current throw-away hip-hop that dominates airplay, record sales and the like, but even I can give it [...]

The new release from Cold War kids is finally out.  No sophomore slump here.  It picks up where Hang Me Out to Dry and the rest of Robbers and Cowards left off.  Lyrically and sonically, it travels in new directions as well.  This band knows no genre and are atop my list of wants for [...]

A good friend of mine sent this along under the heading, “You’re new favorite song.” Now I love ska as much as the next guy, especially the first and second wave variety, but this Partridge/Brady version left me in need of a shower. Enjoy at your own risk…

And if that wasn’t enough…
I’ll see [...]

haley bonar?
easy with the pronunciation there people. it rhymes with honor. regardless, she’s an amazing young talent from minneapolis via small town south dakota whose new album “big star” came across my plate via an agent friend. i love it and will probably bring her up for a show around her date [...]

That’s the new single from Kings of Leon, who I must admit disappointed a bit on their last studio effort.  This song, however, is KoL at their best – raw, electric, and the angst-filled vocals that force your toes to tap and make you start singing the chorus before you even realize you know the [...]

Love is noise is the incredible new single from Richard Ashcroft and his reunited gang. Stunning. A return to form and for me, a wonderful bit of news in a depressing time for reunions. Enough of the Journey comebacks people. This band is incredibly relevant and always have been. Shame [...]