2012

Ian Hunter & The Rant Band: When I’m President

Some of the greatest songwriters invariably have some of the greatest backing bands. Bob Dylan had the Band, Graham Parker had The Rumour, John Hiatt had the Goners (and now The Combo) and Ian Hunter has The Rant Band. The vibrancy with which they bring to life the material on When I'm President reaffirms why the former frontman for Mott The Hoople chooses to share headline status with them on his 20th solo album.

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George Thorogood Talks 30th Anniversary of Musical Rumblings (INTERVIEW)

It’s been a year since the release of George Thorogood’s last record, the highly acclaimed back-to-Chess-roots salute 2120 South Michigan Avenue, featuring snazzy rocking interpretations of songs by Sonny Boy Williamson, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, yet the guitar player remains on the road, playing songs that have been a part of his repertoire for many years. And this is the very reason that Thorogood has been able to lay these tracks down and do them justice. They are in his blood and a part of his inner chemical balance. His gravelly bad ass vocals with a 50’s kick come alive on such humdingers as “Help Me,” “Mama Talk To Your Daughter” and “Willie Dixon’s Gone.”

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Jane’s Addiction: Lyric Opera House Baltimore, Maryland 8/14/12

There was some polite banter, with Perry asking the crowd about their sex lives, but otherwise the guys kept it tight, moving from one classic JA song to the next. For true fans, this was a career-spanning, fan-based set, as heir energy was substantial, but they didn’t take any real risks either. Considering where they are in their career, this is understandable, if not expected: you’re not going find the pure adventurous spirit of a 1980s Jane’s or that of the early Pearl Jam, with the lead singer scaling scaffolding and leaping into the crowd

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Dan Deacon Unveils Innovative New Concert App

Inspired by audience-based cell phone interactive pieces Dan Deacon performed over the past several years in various settings from Baltimore to Carnegie Hall, this groundbreaking app truly makes the audience

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Dylan LeBlanc: Cast The Same Old Shadow

It’s hard to be critical of a young singer-songwriter full of promise and fanfare. However, the world already has plenty of artists who can deftly balance the sad sack act with other, more tuneful spins on the folk tradition. If LeBlanc wants to have staying power, he’d be wise to dial down the weepiness and give himself a more aggressive kick in the up-tempo direction. 

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