Posts by Shawn Donohue

Doggerel marks the Pixies’ fourth studio album since reconveying in 2004, this equals the same number of albums they released in their original incarnation. To say that levels of expectations have dropped significantly would be an understatement, but the band has delivered serviceable if unremarkable, rock in recent years and that workmen-like feeling continues throughout […]

On the newest release from Lambchop, titled The Bible, Kurt Wagner is as far removed from his late-night outcast Nashville days as he has ever been, both physically and sonically. Recorded in Minneapolis in 2021 the songs are ominous iterations of pandemic life. Working with predominately two main artists/producers, Andrew Broder (Piano, Arrangements, Programming, Electric […]

Past releases from Titus Andronicus have included, an overblown triple album punk opera based around depression (The Most Lamentable Tragedy) and a brilliant pairing of New Jersey millennial malaise and Civil War reckoning (The Monitor), thus proving they are never short on audacity. Main man Patrick Stickles digs into that adventurous spirit again, amping it […]

As the road warrior, Todd Snider states during one of his many wonderful stories on his newest release, Live: Return of the Storyteller, this album was recorded on his second-ever tour, the first started when he began playing live in 1994 and ended because of the pandemic. Snider only paused the touring life because the […]

The Joy Theater on Canal Street in New Orleans filled up early for the Friday night loud rock and roll show from the long-running Amherst, MA trio Dinosaur Jr. While the frivolity of the French Quarter was just a few blocks away, it was all reverb, pounding drums and glorious riffs blaring throughout the pristine […]

The newest release from the long-running, Los Angeles-based noise rock duo No Age has been percolating for a while and marks the first time the pair recorded and produced themselves without outside support.  The players, Randy Randall and Dean Allen Spunt, started recording People Helping People pre-pandemic but when the world shut down they lost […]

The newest album from the persevering Gogol Bordello, SOLIDARITINE, was written by frontman Eugene Hutz before the Russian invasion of Ukraine took place, but his songs directly connect as the artist has been writing about displaced people struggling in this world and coming together as humans for decades now.  The title of the album is […]

Rapscallion, the sixth album from the Melbourne-based outfit The Murlocs, dabbles in strong doses of 60’s garage, psych, and prog rock throughout the twelve tripped-out tracks.   The group is comprised of members who also participate in other prominent bands from the Melbourne scene. Ambrose Kenny-Smith (vocals, guitar, harmonica) and Cook Craig (bass) are members of King […]

The backdrop to the Market Hotel’s stage is a huge window that shows the rumbling M and J trains as the elevated subway hugs the second floor of this building at the Myrtle Avenue stop in Brooklyn. While anyone who has ever ridden NYC rails can attest, the noise can be deafening, but no screeching […]

The stalwart Celtic rock outfit Flogging Molly‘s newest release is a strong continuation of the band’s well-earned sound and style. Floating tin whistles and reeling fiddles mix with punk drumming and rock guitars as the Irish/American outfit deliver shout-along tracks that exemplify the album’s title, Anthem.  The six-piece’s first release since 2017 found the band […]

Something in the Water showcases the radiant talents of Jennifer Hartswick who is a force to be reckoned with on the trumpet and the microphone. While her playing is what originally brought her to national attention in the Trey Anastasio Band, it is her vocals on this solo release that steal the show.  Working with […]

There has been a recent trend of young rock bands looking to 90’s acts for inspiration and it is great to see one of the originators still in stellar form. On the loping drum and bass-driven “Rocksteady,” Doug Martsch sings the truthful line “I don’t know how to be anybody else” and then goes out […]

One of the premier outdoor concert venues in Manhattan, Pier 17, hosted world-class songwriters and performers on Friday night (9/2), gloriously kicking off Labor Day weekend in the Big Apple. Under perfect weather conditions, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit delivered their mix of Americana, folk, and Southern rock with the picturesque backdrop of the […]

The sophomore release from the Mongolian folk metal outfit The HU is a stomping, over-the-top offering that mixes up various intense styles as Rumble of Thunder rolls out.  The quartet of Galbadrakh “Gala” Tsendbaatar, Nyamjantsan “Jaya” Galsanjamts, Enkhsaikhan “Enkush” Batjargal, Temuulen “Temka” Naranbaatar, use traditional Mongolian instrumentation, including the Morin khuur, the Tovshuur, and Mongolian […]

The self-titled debut from Thee Sacred Souls is a collection of original “souldies”, throwing it back in smooth style as they gorgeously sing about love and life. The Daptone Records release contains that label’s vintage sound and rich production as the slick grooves and pristine, 1960’s inspired offerings, seep out.  The San Diego, California-based trio […]

In just over 24 hours Spoon announced a surprise intimate club show and then took the stage to deliver the goods at a sold-out Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn. The band was prepping for their upcoming tour with Interpol and delighted their fans on this hot and muggy Tuesday night (8/23) in Williamsburg.    The entrance […]

Modern music fans who jones for that big 70’s classic rock sound need to look no further than Marcus King’s Young Blood out on Rick Rubin’s American Records for their fix. The retro rocking eleven tracks here pull from all the legends of the past while allowing the young artist to put his own twist […]

Personal, raw, emotions are front and center on THICK’s newest strong offering Happy Now on Epitaph as the New York City pop-punk trio tries to remain positive while grappling with self-doubt, visceral pain, victim blaming, and questioning their place in their world around catchy riffs, bass thumps and drum blasts.  THICK, vocalist/guitarist Nikki Sisti, vocalist/bassist […]

Friday, August 12th was the fourth of five sold-out nights of the Public Service Announcement reunion tour featuring Rage Against the Machine and Run The Jewels at Madison Square Garden. Originally scheduled for 2020, fans had to wait an extra two years for the energetic event to kick off.  Opening the show to a slowly […]

The Austin, TX-based collective Golden Dawn Arkestra strapped on their dancing shows during the Covid lockdown, emerging with The Gold Album, eleven tracks that bump, shimmy, and shake with dayglo crispness.  Bandleader Topaz “Zapot” McGarrigle leads the charge coming out of the gate with the most complete offering, “Join As One”. The afrobeat-based, funk-laden joint […]