ortland, Oregon’s The Decemberists recently shocked their devoted fan base when they bolted from long time indie label, Kill Rock Stars, for the mainstream industry giant known as Capitol Records. The Crane Wife signifies a big middle finger to the rules of what is and what should be an indie major.
As the stakes have gradually risen, and potentially reached a boiling point on a west-coast tour with the Benevento/Russo Duo, the group surprised many members within its camp by deciding to take time off from the road, and indulge in some hard-earned down-time.
The Motet fuse together the Latin with the funk, the new break beats with the experimental sax-laden jazz. Through this fusion of sound and cultures, Boulder, Colorado’s darlings have been worldly instrumentalists since 1998. With the release of their new album, Instrumental Dissent, the experimental sextet has further stamped their claim to a sound that has become trademark The Motet.
Following a series of impromptu jam sessions, The Wood Brothers recorded Ways Not To Lose, a stripped down explosion of folky-blues built around Chris’ distinct bass rumblings and Oliver’s road weary voice and simple, yet soulful guitar. Produced by John Medeski, the brothers’ debut album, was released on Blue Note Records, March 7, 2006.
Having gone from being an unknown Brooklyn band playing in bowling alleys, to selling out major clubs in every corner of the country, the group has recently emerged with a new album that’s been listed in Rolling Stone as the number one college album in the country.
Before most people ever heard of Pete Yorn there was one single drumbeat and one quirky movie, Me, Myself and Irene. The drumbeat evolved into an opener for the track, “Strange Condition” and as for the drummer…six years later and a full trilogy released, this singer-songwriter continues to hold listeners captive.
Sharing the anchor spot with Bill Kreutzmann will undoubtedly by his most notable achievement, but it's far from Mickey Hart's only contribution to music, history and even science.
It is uniquely fitting that the man who is being called the voice of Generation X uses cultural debris the way a flasher uses a trench coat.
It’s been seven years and four albums since Dan Messé first heard Sally Ellyson’s voice, as they would soon form the New York based Hem. With an elegant tone and silky vocals, Hem is crafting intimate southern songs that bite.
Twenty-two years into their career, Yo La Tengo are still at the top of their game. Their genre spanning latest – I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass might be the best "mix" CD of the year
