While Pearl Jam has always had a strong pop sensibility to its arena-ready hard rock sound, Brad, the side project co-founded by Pearl Jam rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard, delivers full-on pop music, albeit with an intelligent, psychedelic edg
Call him over the top, call him excessive or even arrogant, but one cannot fault Rufus Wainwright for not trying hard enough and delivering with musical aplomb. The difference with Out Of The Game, however, is that he’s provided a cohesive work that exemplifies his talents, for the most part excises his overindulgence, highlights his sharp wit and exceptional musical skill.
Harmonicraft isn’t paint by numbers hard rock, but it also isn’t breathing life into arena rock at the moment.
he Lumineers is an incredibly impressive opening statement from a band with a lot to say, but who is determined to say it with a level of emotional integrity that is bound to resonate across genre.
With a show and a new album that is melodic, delicate and slightly odd in places, the members of Chairlift are fantastic performers, especially for how long they've been in existence, and their music manages to be accessible and 80s vintage without being cheesy.
Blue October vocalist Furstenfeld is a poet how does not hide his emotions, he does not run from them and he certainly doesn’t consider them to be private. By sharing his experiences he can possibly change a person’s life.
The North Mississippi All-Stars seemed right at home during the second night of their two show stay at Brooklyn Bowl. While Williamsburg is a far cry from Hernando, the love of southern fried electric delta blues is universal, noted by the varying ages and races of the fans in attendance.
After passing the last three weeks playing in the south, Yonder Mountain String Band set their sights on returning to their comfort zone: the mountain towns out west. In Flagstaff, Yonder holds a history of playing their brand of high-energy bluegrass to electrified crowds and this Orpheum show was no different. Yonder arrived on stage around 8:30 pm as Jeff Austin greeted the crowd enthusiastically. “Nice showing Flagstaff, and it's a Tuesday!”
In the five years since his debut EP, CB Radio, Chris Burns has transformed from a loop pedal-wielding solo musician to front-man The inherent risk in such a change is to go from a raw, intimate sound to overproduced pop alchemy. In the case of Burns’ full-length debut, Out of the Well, those pitfalls are largely avoided.
Constantly experimenting with a mélange of sounds and styles, Aufheben finds the band cooly combining an instrumental hybrid of modern garage rock, moody electronics, eastern-influenced dub-lite, and Velvet Underground cool.
