Zooey Deschanel (She) is best known for her roles in Elf and Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, while M. Ward (Him) is regarded as a guitar vitruoso amongst the new-wave of indie rockers. Volume One, their debut album as She & Him, is a throwback to old country and pop that reflects in Jenny Lewis’ recent old timey project with The Watson Twins.
Tokyo Police Club has nailed the atmospheric dynamics, ringing guitars and emo sentiments confidently, but they are still way away from making serious dents in critics' ears.
What is it about festivals these days? How come every-time I visit a music related blog that’s not hyping Vampire Weekend, they are announcing another festival whose lineup card is bragging “my lineup can kick your lineup’s ass.” And more likely than a $5 bottle of Aquafina, that lineup will include Flaming Lips, NIN and Wilco.
Although most music fans are only familiar with Claude Coleman Jr. as the drummer for Ween. Little do they know that he’s created an intriguing body of work with his soul-rock group Amandla. The band’s sophomore release, The Full Catastrophe, is the result of a four year journey for Coleman following a 2002 horrific car accident that left him having to reacquire his abilities and motor skills to play instruments again.
Trouble In Dreams, Destroyer's eighth or ninth album (nobody knows for sure) hits on the same elements of 2006’s Destroyer’s Rubies. From the sharp angular rock of “Dark Leaves Form A Thread” to the dripping bass of “The State” and the howling guitar crescendo of “Introducing Angels,” the recording runs across diverse themes.
Scorsese proves there are moments where the Stones’ have slowed down in their old age and other moments where they can easily kick Coldplay’s ass. As the first rock band to age before our eyes, Shine a Light, big pay days aside, shows why the Stones have lasted longer than any other rock band.
Some artists communicate either through slashing guitar riffs, confessional lyrics, hydraulic drumming, catchy two part harmonies or long winded jamming. L.A. based Dengue Fever chooses to communicate by taking a psychedelic ride on the Cambodian pop sounds of the 60’s.
When you have the fluke hit of the decade, the threat of running into the curse of the “sophomore slum” is an understatement, particularly if you’re the psychedelic soul duo of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green. However, if you’re one that appreciate albums as song-cycles verse explosive pop nuggets, than Gnarls Barkley’s The Odd Couple has something going on.
Daniel Hunter is just 18 and he cuts class on occasion (“My Attendance is Bad”) and likes Jello (“Jello”). The brains, voice, producer, and one-man band behind PlayRadioPlay! appears to also love Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service), as he’s a dead ringer for the Seattle artist’s emo voice and gentle beat filled electronic pop.
It’s easy to complain that the Keys should play a little bit longer….after 70 minutes they were hitting that peak. But although the show was short with little stage banter, their bygone swamped up rock still knocks em dead loud & live.
