Tom Waits is indeed one of those artists, whose enigma runs parallel to his creative aura. And Waits’ stage presence – consisting of porkpie hat, vintage suit, board-stomps and colorful megaphones dappled around the stage, did little to distract from his almost literary persona.
Covering their entire catalog from “10:15 Saturday Night” off 1979’s Three Imaginary Boys, to the new single “The Only One” from their forthcoming album, The Cure visited all eras of their 29 year career.
ust when you the thought the dance-rock thing had hit overkill, Foals tries to one-up the angular, jangly guitar movement. The Oxford quintet lists Steve Reich, Public Image Ltd and Afrobeat as key influences, but Gang of Four rings hard on their debut – Antidotes.
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.
