If we had heard the Low Stars’ self-titled debut album when we were in high school, we would have had orgasms all over it. With a pair of ratty Chuck Taylors on our feet and a backward newsboy cap on our head, we would have listened to it incessantly between…
These two renowned minimalist composers, though thematically dissimilar, have always stood at the vanguard of what rock guitar could accomplish in a classical setting. Chatham is much less academic than Branca, preferring power and pulse to Branca’s somewhat dour embrace of cacophony and drone, although both have influenced the likes…
From an album whose singles intro’d pretty much any MTV or VH1 show, Bloc Party has officially matured out of the vague-means-accessible indie-dance-punk amalgam of Silent Alarm into a brilliant discussion of urban kid confusion on Weekend in the City. Kele Okereke bravely waves his flag of schoolboy crush in…
Hannibal Raheem, Tree and Oneself Salaam are brothers in the strictest definition of the word. Sure, they’re “brothers” in the way that a lot of musical groups claim fraternity. They create music together as Verbal Seed and share a common vision for the group. But they also share the same…
Despite a bad name (which was changed due to threatened legal action from the equally awful the Broke Down), this Los Angeles quartet is a pleasing amalgam of styles and influences that fully coalesce on their striking debut, I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On. Throwing together classic power pop…
According to not-quite-Paul-Bunyan-worthy legend, the first incarnation of the Lumberjack Fest was so named when organizers from Denton literary journal The Porch planned to have a chainsaw sculptor carve a new piece during the event as a tribute to blue-collar artistic ingenuity. The demonstration didn’t pan out, but the name’s…
While Lee Harvey’s front yard fire pits do little to remedy recent weather trends, be they “frigid frosts” or “arctic blasts,” the vibe inside remains warm and cozy. This is mostly because the place has the spatial capacity of a newly purchased tin of breath mints. But it’s the rotating…
The phoenix flight of instrumental rock outfit Red Sparowes continuously rises and falls, peaks and dismantles, with beauty and grace. The quartet, which features Isis guitarist Cliff Meyer, Battle of Mice and Neurosis member Josh Graham and Greg Burns of Halifax Pier fame, released one of the most breathtakingly beautiful…
Delegate rappers from the fine city of Arlington will make a neighborly campaign stop at South Side on Lamar this weekend as Victory Entertainment presents the Jump Off. The evening’s special host is accomplished Agg-Town microphone linguist and juicy booty aficionado, Da’Hitman. Seriously, visit the dude’s MySpace page. It’s like…
History will remember Ben Kweller with a tampon stuffed up his nose. The 24-year-old songwriter plugged in and rocked out during his Austin City Limits Music Festival performance this past year after his “allergies” induced a nosebleed that gushed blood on the keys and his guitar while he battled through…
Even thought he was a member of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers for more than a decade, Coco Montoya remains one of the most underappreciated old-school blues guitarists. Touring in support of his most recent disc, the fiery and soulful Dirty Deal, Montoya has always been an equal to genre heavyweights such…
After more than a decade and eight albums, everyone should understand and appreciate the underlying equation of Philadelphia hip-hop group the Roots’ Game Theory: Black Thought delivers socially conscious and soulful lyricism, old-school-style, the charismatic ‘froed one Questlove bangs some of the best beats in the game, while Hub, F…
The young men of Old Crow Medicine Show scored a minor hit in 2004 with “Wagon Wheel,” a reworked Bob Dylan outtake that easily ranks among the best country songs of the ’00s. With its wistful fiddle line, soaring harmonies and timeless refrain, the song easily established OCMS as one…
As reported on many blogs across the DFW musical world, the list of local bands accepted as official artists for this year’s South by Southwest festival came out recently. It was critically panned by bloggers, hipsters and everyone in between, and I gotta say, I’m right there with ’em. That’s…
Charity alert: Apparently, late winter and early spring is the season for altruistic music events. Take the just-announced Girl Parts show at Sue Ellen’s to be held Friday, March 16. The Girl Parts is three ladies (Liz Clark, Julie Loyd and Melineh Kurdian) who hee-haw and yee-haw their way through…
It’s messy outside. Despite the slick roads and freezing temperatures, foot traffic is relatively heavy in John Gasperik’s living room. Two shaggy hipsters return from a trip to the ATM and quickly exchange freshly dispensed cash for a snare drum and a guitar. As the hipsters head out, a father…
The music of Madeleine Peyroux can best be described as a timeless exploration of history, herself, collaboration and the spiritual force of music. Last year, the release of her third album, Half the Perfect World, found her at ease among all these themes. “I think that was very clear, that…
It’s Grammy night. Having just finished a rousing medley of the Police’s greatest hits, guitarist Andy Summers, drummer Stewart Copeland and bassist/vocalist Sting gather backstage to bathe in the afterglow of yet another reunion performance. SUMMERS: That felt good. COPELAND: Not bad. Not great, but OK. STING: You managed to…
Ladies and gentlemen, he’s your reality TV hunk of shorn head and 5 o’clock shadow. He’s the man who was hell-bent on making even the music of Cash and Manilow sound like that of a brooding “er” band. He’s your Am-errrr-ican Errr-dol, Chris Daughtry! After enduring Daughtry’s sordid takes on…
Mayor Ken Corley, the esteemed chief of Brazoria, Texas, called for a measure last month making the uttering of the N-word an offense, punishable by a hefty fine. As expected, this decree never got off the ground—something about amendments, the Bill of Rights and other general uselessness.Well, we believe that…
Wu Tang & Friends: Unreleased is almost exactly what it presents itself to be, though a more accurate title might be Friends & Wu Tang. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, RZA, GZA, Masta Killa and Method Man all turn out in some shape or form in this collection of…
Side projects, especially those featuring members of nondescript emo bands, are not usually known for being earth-shattering propositions. And despite a few moments of genuinely twisted vision, Cobra Starship is no exception. Fronted by Midtown’s Gabe Saporta, the band’s videos (including the title song from the overhyped mega-flop film Snakes…
