Archive: 2010

Mike Gordon Band @ Fox Theatre, November 13

There were lots of cold fingers in the air on Saturday as the first truly cold day of the year hit Boulder, the same day Mike Gordon brought his tour in support of Moss to the famously sunny and dry state of Colorado (ironically, moss usually grows best in shady, damp areas). Coloradans are pretty relaxed and don’t worry too much about being late to a show, but there was a line down the street before the doors opened for this one, and the floor was packed with crunchy, bearded people wearing beanie caps well before 9PM.

Fittingly, Cactus opened the first set with Can’t Stand Still, the catchy first track on the new album. Mike breathed a sigh of relief after this one, commenting on his love for The Fox Theater, and perhaps Boulder in general, as he gave us his first installment of what would be the theme for the night. “I’ve got one hand in my pocket, and the other one up for a high five.”

From there, it was the Party Time track Only A Dream, and the Bill Monroe/Peter Rowan tune Walls of Time, and Mike walked that bass line like a dog while guitarist Scott Murawski tinkered around on some country licks. Tom Cleary’s tune I Sure Miss My Mind jumped right on that energy. The hammy lyrics were, if nothing else, enjoyable, and the back and forth soloing between Cleary on the keys and Murawski’s guitar paved the way for the intricacies of Andelman’s Yard. Another round of high fives was passed, and then came Down To The Nightclub, on which Cleary again took the spotlight – removing his shoe and using it to replace his left hand. Murawski took lead vocals on Emotional Railroad, the Max Creek original, whose drawn out jam segued into Traveled Too Far.

READ ON for more thoughts on the MGB at the Fox…

Since we first wrote about Dawes, a little over a year and a half ago, the country and Americana-infused band has seemingly been on a non-stop tour promoting their HT approved debut album North Hills. The LA-based act, who are on tour through the end of the month, have been debuting a handful of new […]

Last week, mashup DJ master Girl Talk announced a massive tour that will take him from coast to coast over the first three months of 2011. Today, the artist originally born into this world as Greg Gillis has unveiled his latest full-length studio album, entitled ALL DAY, which is currently available as a free download […]

Dublin’s The Frames will visit Jimmy Fallon on Thursday night to promote their 20th Anniversary Tour which starts Friday in Philadelphia. Other late-night highlights this week include Sharon Jones & Dap Kings on Conan (Monday), Bruce Springsteen on Fallon (Tuesday) and a pair of apperances for Jay-Z (Letterman on Tuesday; Daily Show on Wednesday). Monday, […]

Blues Traveler playing the Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn NY 11.6.10.

John Prine is one of those songwriters that makes songwriting seem easy; his words never forced and his wit never ending.  Couple that with the simplicity with which he writes and I think most musicians would find his songs easily adaptable and ripe to be covered.

With their second full-length album, Distortionist, the Murdocks harness the raw power of grunge, the energy of punk and the hooks of indie pop while still remaining accessible enough for the modern mainstream.

As I listened to Kevin Lyman speak, I couldn’t believe that New Noise Santa Barbara was only in its second year.  His conference session was informative and entertaining, just like the others.  The founder of Warped Tour engaged his active listeners into the history of his famous tour, and stated that the current music industry is much like it was 15 years ago.

The Decemberists have announced the first leg of their 2011 North American Tour in support of The King Is Dead, their forthcoming Capitol Records album which will be released January 18. The 16-city run will kick off at New York’s Beacon Theater on January 25, and culminate with a hometown show at Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer […]

Michael Dorf announced today the first artists confirmed to play a special tribute concert to take place February 10, 2011, at Carnegie Hall, celebrating the music of Neil Young. The initial, star-studded lineup of musicians honoring the legendary songwriter’s music include: Patti Smith, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, DeVotchKa, Shawn Colvin, Bettye LaVette, Bebel Gilberto, Aimee […]