Chris Calarco, Author at Glide Magazine

The Low Anthem: Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR 5/13/11

Chris Calarco May 18, 2011 No Comments

While “folk” may be the most apropos moniker for what The Low Anthem creates, the band is magnificently unique in the way members shuffle between instruments. All four members are adept at navigating the singing saw, a strange xylophone hybrid, pump organ, stand-up bass, hollow body guitar, banjo, clarinet, and brass. The unit radiated a passionate intensity with every plucked string and nimbly created exceptional warmth that few bands can muster.

Ocean Colour Scene – Moseley Shoals (1996)

Chris Calarco May 16, 2011 No Comments

Ocean Colour Scene is kind of a big deal in England. While five top ten albums and six top ten singles across the pond have made them a household name, after forming in Birmingham in 1989, the Brit-pop band never made noise in America and thus their musical high point, 1996’s Moseley Shoals, has gone relatively unheard in the states. Let’s remedy that. While an album that has sold over a million copies can hardly be thought of as a lost treasure, for most in America, Ocean Colour Scene will bring blank stares.

The Black Angels: Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR 5/11/11

Chris Calarco May 16, 2011 No Comments

By going full throttle and stomping through each track with the confrontational force of a back alley brawl between Black Sabbath and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Angels turned the Wonder Ballroom inside out. Throbbing with urgency the night felt like waking inside a Hells Angels Acid Test.

Sam Roberts Band: Collider

Chris Calarco May 4, 2011 No Comments

When recording their new album Collider, Roberts decided to challenge the band by moving the process to Chicago. Instead of recreating the searing rock n’ roll vibe of their live show, Roberts pushed forward in an attempt to expand and diversify the band’s sound. Califone percussionist Ben Massarella and Antilbalas woodwind player Stuart Bogie served as honorary band members during the recording process and allowed the band to branch out in search of a more refined, cohesive sound.

Dengue Fever: Cannibal Courtship

Chris Calarco April 28, 2011 No Comments

LA’s Dengue Fever is gaining momentum in music critic and indie rock circles thanks to their genre blurring. World grooves meet psych pop, new wave and a little classic rock as Cambodian singer; Chhom Nimol leads the charge in her quirky, Blondie-esque croon. The band drops Cannibal Courtship on Concord Records.

Marc Brownstein – Inspired and Expanding

Chris Calarco April 1, 2011 No Comments

Glide's Chris Calarco was able to catch up with Marc Brownstein, bass player for The Disco Biscuits and Conspirator when Conspirator played Portland, Oregon on Wednesday February 9th. After some BBQ Korean Tacos Calarco sat down with Marc, one of the most enthusiastic and accessible musicians you will ever meet.

American Babies: Flawed Logic

Chris Calarco March 31, 2011 No Comments

Tom Hamilton is an amazing and underappreciated songwriter. While his work in Brothers Past and American Babies has steadily produced memorable hook after memorable melody across a diverse range of musical styles (from electro jam to indie-electro brooding to pastoral country rock) his name is not particularly well known. Hamilton’s penchant for producing a majestic elegance inside all his musical voices is second to none and on his new American Babies release, Flawed Logic, he further cements his reputation as major talent.

Epigene: A Wall Street Odyssey

Chris Calarco March 21, 2011 No Comments

Bigler and Lykes deserve much respect for their ambition, creativity, and passion. Solid musicianship and production qualities make the record more than just a D.I.Y. declaration. Kudos for creating an interesting musical tour told through the journey of one man transcending our broken society and his selfish desires.

Band of Heathens: Top Hat Crown & The Clapmaster

Chris Calarco March 14, 2011 No Comments

There is a collaborative, one for all spirit on Top Hat and if you like the new wave of Americana acts like Deer Tick and Dawes you will have a soft spot for Band of Heathens. Its not a perfect album, there are lulls in the generic country rock of opener “Medicine Man” and the blues bounce of “Enough” but it is abundantly clear this is a group of focused songwriters and tour hounds, a unit to be reckoned with. “Gris Gris Satchel” ends the album solemnly with each vocalist taking a turn on the slow cooking chorus. Feel this.

Papercuts: Fading Parade

Chris Calarco March 11, 2011 No Comments

Jason Robert Quever's friends and former teammate Beach House has made a massive splash with their version of modern dream pop and the genre continues to gain steam in the mainstream. While Fading Parade is artfully constructed its power does not last, literally wilting from a lack of punch as the album plays on as perfectly fine background music for a rainy day. This is lush vicodin pop but it’s a little gloomy, a little hollow.

Chris Calarco

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