Archive: 2014

Following a run of shows that sold out in San Francisco, Portland, Reno and Spokane, Tool has announced six more shows in the west and southwest U.S.  The dates are listed below with on sales happening later this week. Tour Dates Friday, March 14: Fresno, CA @ Selland Arena – Saturday, March 15: Las Vegas, […]

A far-fetched pop fantasy involving the collision of ‘Girls’ and ‘Mad Men’ is surely something that exists. Thankfully, such a fantasy is somewhat indulged in this week’s episode — though not lightly.

This solid (if unremarkable) mid-season premiere offers few shocks but some nice character development.

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood are set to release their third studio album Phosphorescent Harvest on April 29 via Silver Arrow Records. The band–Chris Robinson (lead vocals, guitar), Neal Casal (guitar, vocals), Adam MacDougall (keys, vocals), George Sluppick (drums) and Mark Dutton (bass, vocals)–will also hit the road in conjunction with the album’s release.  The tour […]

Thievery Corporation will be releasing  their seventh studio album, Saudade, their first record devoted entirely to the Brazilian-born genre that first connected the duo. The album will be released on April 1st via their own ESL Music label. “Depth of My Soul,” the first track from the new album is embedded below…   Saudade borrows […]

“I’m going to come over to your place and dance naked in the shower.” That is what Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge joked about doing as soon as the band’s Second annual Moody Blues Cruise returns to port this spring. The only remaining original member in the legendary British band, Edge’s sense of humor is […]

Spanish dance rockers Delorean returned with Apar,  their first album in three years last September  The 10-track recording, which includes a collaboration with Chairlift’s Caroline Polachek, has been described as a bit of a comedown album from 2010s boisterous and blessed out Subiza. Frontman Ekhi Lopetegi is quick to admit this time around, they were […]

[rating=8.00] It was an equally brave and honorable gesture Paul Rodgers made with The Royal Sessions. Offering homage to those artists, like Albert King, Sam, Dave and Otis Redding, that strongly influenced him to develop a career that included singing for “Free,” forming “Bad Company” and fronting the remaining members of “Queen,” one of the […]

The Flaming Lips and Sean Lennon teamed up for Beatles Week.

“One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley Music is an important part of our culture and zeitgeist for a plethora of reasons.  It relieves anxiety, serves as a deserved release from the stresses from everyday life and offers one an opportunity to express themselves through one’s relation […]

[rating=10.0] As Jay Farrar, Jeff Tweedy, and Mike Heidorn piloted their battered touring van up the eastern seaboard in the midst of an Arctic-like winter to Boston’s Fort Apache Sound, it’s doubtful they envisioned themselves as heartland saviors or inventors of newfangled musical genres. Sure, they were driven and motivated to make good on the […]

311 has premiered their brand-new single, “Five Of Everything.” “Five Of Everything” is the lead single from new 311 album STEREOLITHIC, set for release on March 11th (“new 311 on 3/11!”). The album arrives via 311 Records and is being distributed by INgrooves, making it 311’s first truly independent release since their early days as […]

The Chili Peppers may have mimed during the Super Bowl, but…who cares?

In early 2014, Fleetwood Mac announced that McVie would be rejoining the band after a long hiatus. There are plans to tour; some are even hoping for a new record. In the spirit of McVie’s return, let’s revisit fifteen of her most accomplished, most enduring contributions to Fleetwood Mac, and remind ourselves of what an integral strand she is in the band’s superstar DNA.

[rating=7.00] The honesty in John Butler’s songwriting comes through in his storytelling, both lyrically and instrumentally; it’s a component of his music that is very experience based.  In live performance, a cornerstone experience like “Ocean” is something that is transmitted from Butler into anyone who is actively listening.  The newest release from the John Butler […]

David Crosby came down from his Santa Ynez ranch to play a very special concert at the Lobero Theater in downtown Santa Barbara, CA. The recently renovated Lobero Theater was the perfect backdrop for what was billed as a warm-up concert for his new mini tour to promote his first solo project in twenty years. […]

Yesterday, UK-based trio Fear Of Men dropped “Alta / Waterfall,” the lead single off their debut album Loom, which is out April 22, 2014 via Kanine Records. The song also acts as the first two tracks from the album. “Alta / Waterfall” evokes the dark melancholy of the 90s through textured guitars, thoughtful lyrics and […]

Sasquatch! has released its 2014 lineup holding true to its promise of two weekends with two separate bills. Booking one weekend and repeating it, as Coachella does, is tough enough, but Sasquatch! has managed to pull big names for both May 23-25, its Memorial Day weekend first round, and July 4-6. It will be the […]

The Old 97’s have confirmed the April 29 release of their new album and ATO debut, ‘Most Messed Up’ – a revealing, 12-track meditation on 20 years in music that finds them at their raucous, boozy best. It’s “a rock opera, a way-off Broadway musical about a musician’s life, loves and lubrication,” says music critic […]