CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Japandroids, Jerry Cantrell, Joy Oladokun, Karate, Jean Dawson & More
You probably see that we write something like this every week, but we always mean it when we say we cooked up a good one here at the old Caustic laboratory. We sprinkled a little bit of pop experimentalism, blended it with farewell albums from unforgettable indie acts, and threw in a bit of genre-pushing […]
Deep Friday Blues: Memphis Slim’s “Everyday I Have The Blues” Showcases Blues It Its Most Elemental Form
Memphis Slim is perhaps most famous for composing “Everyday I Have The Blues,” a song covered by a plethora of artists, including BB King, Elmore James, and T-Bone Walker (as well as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton). But in leading bands including saxophones, bass, drums, and piano, the man born John Len Chatman also helped popularize the jump […]
60 Years Ago Today- The Rolling Stones Released Their Second Album ’12 X 5′
Golden Age Thursday: Organized Konfusion’s Dark Sonics & Hypnotic Wordplay Shine Via “Numbers” (Live 1997)
Organized Konfusion has seamlessly integrated into the most underrated groups of all time conversation. The duo of Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po were lightyears ahead of their time when they released their self-titled debut album in 1991, which introduced the duo as rapid-fire spitters who were more interested in exploring the jazzy roots of Hip-hop […]
30 Years Later: Jamiroquai Drops Masterclass In Disco-Funk With ‘The Return Of The Space Cowboy’
There are a lot of elements that build the colossal legacy of Jamiroquai and the band’s frontman, Jay Kay. Whether it’s the iconic horned silhouette that graces his album artworks, hearing one of his many hit records echo from a car driving by, or becoming a full-fledged member of his dedicated and unwavering fanbase, there […]
Japandroids Strike Back With Revved Up ‘Fate & Alchohol’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
With the surprise announcement of a new album, Fate & Alcohol, the Japandroids reinvigorated their fanbase. Then, they immediately deflated it by saying the group was over, and this would be the last musical statement from Brian King and David Prowse. Who knows if that holds true—forever is a long time—but if it does, the […]
Spiritual Jazz Shapeshifters Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few Take Final Bow Via Socio-Political ‘The World Is On Fire’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
It seems like we were just getting to know the young spiritual jazz force Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, who are calling it quits after an eight-year run and three albums. Their awareness level has never been higher, as evidenced by a full-length piece in The New York Times earlier this month. Yet saxophonist […]
Aaron Parks Returns to Blue Note With Tight, Semi-Fusion Quartet On ‘Little Big III’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Little Big III is pianist/composer Aaron Parks’s sixth album as a leader and his second for Blue Note. Between his groundbreaking 2008 Blue Note debut, Invisible Cinema, Parks has issued a solo piano, two trios, and two albums with his Little Big quartet. Parks cut his chops with Terence Blanchard in the early 2000s and made a […]
LISTEN: Pop Cautious Blends Infectious Grooves With Moody Emo Tones On “Two Weeks”
Pop Cautious is an indie alternative rock artist known for blending catchy melodies with introspective lyrics. Based in LA, their music explores themes of vulnerability, self-discovery, and the complexities of modern life. With their debut album, Troubadour, on the way, Pop Cautious has garnered critical acclaim and a growing fanbase, establishing themselves as a fresh […]
LISTEN: Eddie Navega’s “Note to Self” is Breezy Folk With Bright Melodies and Gentle Vocals
Eddie Navega has been delivering an array of folk/folk-rock-inspired singles over the past few years, crafting a sound that is all his own yet instantly recognizable. His latest single, “Note To Self,” is an offering from the artist’s upcoming debut album, The Far Side, and adds to his catalog of nostalgic folk-tinged releases. Looking back […]