Although choppy at times, Best Reason to Buy the Sun is a solid and mind-expanding piece of post-modern art. The funky yet heavy, groovy but hectic delivery shines bright, and with it, a certain appeal that will move feet, bob heads and entertain ears.
Butler is single-handedly jolting the roots-rock genre back from the hollow, complacent wasteland for pretty boys, callow songwriting and fluffy lyrics it
Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, who make up the husband and wife duo of Over the Rhine, have endured their share of heartache. Drunkard’s Prayer, is a back to basics effort, recorded after the band’s mini-break to energize their souls.
Angelique Kidjo, along with her husband, Jean Hebrail, Kidjo penned 13 original songs in a variety of indigenous Caribbean styles, including salsa, calypso, meringue and ska on her latest release – Oyaya! The album was produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, String Cheese Incident) Kidjo sings the numbers in English, French and African languages Yoruba and Fon.
Look for Kidjo performing in select U.S. cities this May, before returning to Europe for more dates abroad. Current confirmed U.S. tour dates include:
Sun May 08 – LebanonNH Lebanon Opera House
Tue May 10 – Philadelphia PA World Caf
Among the efforts to save landmark New York punk venue CBGB is a collection of limited-edition treats from Gotham candy store Chocolate Bar. The confectioner is introducing the $25 CBGBs Punk Rock Box, a 16-piece truffle collection that includes a postage-paid petition to save CBGB, a steel logo keychain and a collection of CBGB stickers.
For the budget-minded yet concerned punk, there are $3 CBGB Retro Bars wrapped in a limited-edition CBGB keepsake package that includes the postage-paid petition. Both items will be available in May, but can be pre-ordered through the store’s Web site or by calling 800-481-2462. All proceeds will benefit the club’s campaign to keep its doors open.
CBGB owner Hilly Kristal is embroiled in a dispute with the non-profit Bowery Residents’ Committee, which owns the club’s East Village building and operates a homeless shelter above it. In addition to back rent, Kristal’s negotiations with the BRC to extend his lease past its August expiration have stalled over the subject of a substantial rent increase.
Source billboard.com.
Oasis, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, Weezer and the Black Crowes are among the acts confirmed for Japan’s Summer Sonic festival, to be held Aug. 13-14 in Tokyo and Osaka. Kasabian, the Roots, the Arcade Fire, Teenage Fanclub, TV On The Radio, Ian Brown and Louis XIV will also perform, as will famed U.K. rock act the La’s, which will be making its first live appearance since 1991.
The lineup is rounded out by Yellowcard, Boy, the Departure, Hal, HIM, Little Barrie, the Little Flames, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Mew and Rooster. Tickets are on sale now.
Source billboard.com.
