Posts by Joey Willis

Having a career spanning just over thirty years, Athens, Georgia-based R.E.M. have released a multitude of songs now considered iconic. Since “The One I Love” became a breakthrough single for the band off their 1987 album Document, Michael Stipe and Co. have gone on to not only sell millions of albums, but to be pivotal […]

After fifty years of making music, James Taylor has become one of the best-selling artists of all time. In 1970 he had his breakthrough with the song “Fire and Rain”, which he then followed up with his version of the Carole King song “You’ve Got a Friend”. The latter took him to No. 1 on […]

New York-based Olden Yolk could best be described as a folk-rock band with a penchant for psychedelia. This is no surprise considering the band is co-led Shane Butler from the Boston-based band Quilt and Caity Shaffer who collaborated and played with Molly Burch on Please Be Mine. Only a year out from releasing their self-titled […]

Over the past decade, Vancouver-based Black Mountain have never been afraid to experiment with their sound. While each of their past albums holds a nostalgic sound of the 70’s, each also has its own distinct personalities. Where their self-titled debut album referenced the music of early Rolling Stones and Jefferson Airplane, Black Mountain’s newest album […]

Big Search, the name given to the project by Matt Popieluch to his solo project, is releasing his sophomore release Slow Fascination. Having played with the likes of Cass McCombs, Glasser, and Sky Ferreira, Popieluch also used to front the band Foreign Born. While fronting the band they had the privilege to tour with Grizzly […]

With a career spanning over sixteen years, Cass McCombs has managed to make a name for himself in the indie-folk scene by infusing bits of punk and psychedelia into his works. After garnering critical acclaim with his 2009 album Catacombs, McCombs has continued to release consistently great albums and built up a steady following of […]

Girlpool, as a duo, has gone through quite a bit of transition, both personally and musically, over the past half-decade since releasing their eponymous debut in 2014. On a personal level, co-singer/songwriter Cleo Tucker came out as transgender and has started transitioning as his bandmate, Harmony Tividad, has been struggling with her mental health. As […]

After forming in 1994, The Dandy Warhols impressed so much that they were signed at their first gig. Though never quite hitting the heights that both they and their label thought they would, the band has stayed consistent and maintained a loyal following. Each album tends to lean heavy on different rock elements. Their debut, […]

[rating=7.00] Wilco front man Jeff Tweedy is no stranger to writing deeply personal lyrics. On the band’s 1999 album Summerteeth it took the form of deeply depressing lyrics packaged in catchy hooks and studio production. On the almost experimental 2007 effort Sky Blue Sky, they wavered between pessimism and optimism sung over beautifully played songs. On his […]

[rating=5.00] Austin-based singer/songwriter Molly Burch has been making a name for herself recently, opening up for acts like Grizzly Bear and Courtney Barnett among many others. Burch’s sophomore release First Flower follows in the footsteps of her debut Please Be Mine with its laidback and intimate songs. While there are times that Burch’s vocals are […]

[rating=7.00] The name Richard Swift may not ring a bell for most music fans, but many have heard Swift albeit without knowing it. Swift played with well-known bands like The Shins, The Black Keys and The Arcs, and helped produce and record many more. In between touring and producing over the past several years, Swift […]

The first iteration of Yo La Tengo started all the way back in 1984 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Over thirty years later and the trio are still creating great music together and continue to maintain a loyal following. The decades have seen quite a few albums from YLT and they all contain their signature blend […]

[rating=7.00] While there has never been a shortage of great rock bands coming out of Australia, this decade has seen a major influx of Aussie rockers. The psychedelic rock scene has been most efficacious in Australia recently. From the Tame Impala in Perth to The Baudelaires and King Gizzard in Melbourne, the psychedelic movement is […]

After the very successful release of 2015’s Multi-Love, Unknown Mortal Orchestra has garnered quite a following. The subsequent Sex & Food was released this year to favorable reviews. Most tracks on a UMO album are the kind that can only exist as part of a studio production. Clever production tricks and electronics come together to […]

[rating=7.00] In the decades following the dissolution of The Smiths it seemed that Johnny Marr was content to sit on the sidelines, offering his immeasurable talent to other songwriters. The past three decades have found Marr playing as a member of Modest Mouse, The Pretenders and many others.  However, until 2013 Marr had only put […]

[rating=8.00] After a 17-year hiatus, Mazzy Star returned with the release of 2013’s Seasons of Your Day. The well-received album showed fans that unlike some new releases from artists whose heyday was in the eighties and nineties, Mazzy Star have stayed true to their sound without succumbing to modern influences. For the past five years […]

[rating=9.00] Following the release of her debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Australian rocker Courtney Barnett was suddenly everywhere. Seemingly touring non-stop, she captivated new fans and old with her energy, witty lyrics, and characteristic deadpan singing style. Many wondered if she would be able to bring the same […]

Over the past decade and a half, Philadelphia-based Dr. Dog have been busy releasing albums every year or two and touring incessantly. 2016 saw both the release of The Psychedelic Swamp early in the year as well as a surprise online release of the mellow Abandoned Mansion. The former was a reimagining of the unreleased […]

Following a last minute cancellation of the festival in 2016 due to weather, Levitation (formerly Austin Psych Fest) took a year off to consider the best way to carry on. This year Levitation returned to Austin in an entirely new format. Instead of setting up on a large expanse of land with the option to […]

[rating=7.00] Over the past decade and a half, Philadelphia-based Dr. Dog have been busy releasing albums every year or two, and touring incessantly. 2016 saw both the release of The Psychedelic Swamp early in the year as well as a surprise online release of the mellow Abandoned Mansion. The former was a reimagining of the […]