Violent Femmes’ Dark and Challenging Sophomore LP ‘Hallowed Ground’ Gets 40th Anniversary Reissue (ALBUM REVIEW)
When Hallowed Ground was released in 1984, Violent Femmes were already known for their self-titled debut’s raw, stripped-down punk-folk energy. But rather than serving more of the same, the band took a sharp left turn, delivering an album that is darker, more complex, and undeniably polarizing. With Hallowed Ground, the band embraced a more experimental […]
Leon Bridges & Hermanos GutiérrezCreate Thick Rhythmic Tones At The Anthem In Washington D.C. (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)
On a crisp November night, The Anthem in Washington, D.C., was packed to the brim for a sold-out performance by Leon Bridges, with Hermanos Gutiérrez opening. The venue nestled along the water, which set the perfect scene for an evening of inspiring and soulful music. By the night’s end, an intimate memory was sure to […]
55 Years Later: The Byrds Rewrite Their Script With ‘Ballad of Easy Rider’
Hearing Ballad of Easy Rider from a fifty-five-year perspective no doubt evokes the same reaction as it did at its original release: ‘This doesn’t sound like the Byrds!?!’ And indeed, with the only remaining original member, Roger, nee Jim, McGuinn, sharing lead vocals with his three bandmates and mere flashes remaining of the signature chime of that […]
55 Years Later: The Grateful Dead Make Early Definitive Live Statement With ‘Live/Dead’
With over a half-century retrospect, it’s altogether mind-boggling that Live/Dead is the first of what would subsequently become a plethora of concert recordings by The Grateful Dead. And, in the density of intelligent reasoning customary for the group, the rationale behind Live/Dead lies in the band’s aim to minimize recording costs while simultaneously capturing their stage sound with greater […]
LISTEN: Epsom Salts Navigate Dense Noise Rock With Unique Flair On “Burning Memory”
Breaking into Brighton’s music scene in 2022, Epsom Salts transcends genre boundaries to blend noise-rock fury with dreamy interludes and jolting melodies seamlessly. Since joining forces, the quartet has delved into a near era of technicality and continues to turn the dial into noisier terrain. Their freshest offering, “Burning Memory,” explores the emotions and tribulations […]
LISTEN: Kerry Charles’s “In A Minute” Brings Soulful Melodies To Infectious Pop
Blurring the lines between caricature and confessional, Kerry Charles isn’t quite certain where his act ends and reality begins. Sardonic yet sincere, abject but personal and indisputably groovy, Charles’s timeless pop recordings are as enigmatic as their author. Drawing influence from the likes of Prince, Hall and Oates, and Steely Dan, Charles’s obsessively produced tracks […]
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: The Bad Plus, Ab-Soul, Primal Scream, Yonder Mountain String Band, HOMESHAKE & More
This has been a weird week, to say the least. With social media exploding with opinions and think-pieces on the future, and while these discussions are important, it is equally essential to give yourself a break from it all. While the world around us falls into a divided and tense atmosphere, throwing on headphones and […]
Happy 75th Birthday Bonnie Raitt
Iron Maiden Honors ‘Somewhere In Time’ & ‘Senjutsu’ Albums At Transcending Worcester (DCU Center) Performance (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)
Iron Maiden, the legendary British heavy metal titans, once again proved their enduring power when their Future Past Tour stopped in Worcester, MA, on November 6th, With a captivating blend of classic tracks from their iconic albums, including Somewhere in Time, Fear of the Dark, and the more recent masterpiece Senjutsu, the show was a […]
‘Brothers’ By Alex Van Halen Serves Up Intimate Tales Of Rock’s Most Electric Band (BOOK REVIEW)
“Ed’s talent was an asset, not just to me but to him. It was an asset to our band; this thing that was bigger than us would be the vehicle for all of our dreams. Of course, the band was more or less imaginary at this point, but if Ed could play guitar like that, […]