Shane Handler

Red Hot Chili Peppers/ The Mars Volta : Glendale Arena, Glendale, AZ 8/21/2006

Shane Handler August 27, 2006 No Comments

There are few bands that can throw a full-on arena spectacle, charge a days paycheck amount for a ticket and leave their fans begging for more. Count U2, Green Day, Radiohead, The Beastie Boys and The Rolling Stones amongst those heavyweights. The Red Hot Chili Peppers who tour once every three or four years, have the big budget to throw a hockey shed spectacle amongst the best of the pre-mentioned acts. Their show during early stages of the Stadium Arcadium at the Glendale Arena, proved this Southern California four piece have continually expaned their sound from their young cock sock days.

M. Ward: Post-War

Shane Handler August 15, 2006 No Comments

Two words usually come arise when describing neo-folk troubadour M. Ward

The Devil and Daniel Johnston: Directed by Jeff Feuerzeig

Shane Handler August 13, 2006 No Comments

The Devil and Daniel Johnston, is a raw documentary on the life of Johnston, the youngest of five in a Christian household who goes from an aspiring cartoonist to a cult favorite that sparked Kurt Cobain to continually wear a Johnston t-shirt during Nirvana’s early ninety’s hey-day.

Sufjan Stevens: The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album

Shane Handler August 7, 2006 No Comments

With The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album, Stevens presents 21 tracks, including three versions of

Golden Smog: Another Fine Day

Shane Handler July 31, 2006 No Comments

Fans of Golden Smog

Steely Dan/Michael McDonald : Cricket Pavillion, Phoenix, AZ 7/18/2006

Shane Handler July 26, 2006 No Comments

On the evening of a dust storm following a 110 degree scorcher, there was enough empty lawn space at the Cricket Pavillion to set up a par 3 golf hole. The show was clearly undersold as opener Michael McDonald delivered his gray haired/blue eyed soul. Through his work with the Doobie Brothers and his solo catalogue, McDonald has one of the most recognizable baritones in rock history, as you can’t walk into a supermarket without hearing him play through the PR.

Thom Yorke: The Eraser

Shane Handler July 24, 2006 No Comments

When Thom Yorke sings, people listen. For that reason alone, Yorke making a solo album, makes perfect sense. On his solo debut, The Eraser, Yorke’s gnarled voice work its magic alongside an assortment of synthesizers, drum machines, loops.

Sonic Youth: Rather Ripped

Shane Handler July 7, 2006 No Comments

After a 25 year career producing 20 albums of splendid white noise, Sonic Youth has nothing left to prove. Though somehow their 21st album, Rather Ripped, keeps us wondering if the band

Tesla/Skid Row : Fort McDowell Casino, Fountain Hills, AZ 7/03/2006

Shane Handler July 5, 2006 No Comments

Playing the casino circuit is about the equivalent of the county fair tour, but with cars lined up on the side of the "Beeline" highway, and about eight thousand fans in attendance for the twin billing of Skid Row/Tesla at the Fort McDowell Casino, you’d think it was 1991.