Music
Essays, blog posts, playlists, and more focused broadly on music. For more playlists visit my Spotify profile.
- Guante and Big Cats! at One Day in July (Minneapolis, MN) ()
Photos and video of Guante and Big Cats!‘s set at the July 25, 2009 One Day in July festival in Minneapolis’ Warehouse District, featuring performances of “Bring Out Your Dead,” “Dragons,” and “Old English Letters.” [This post was first published by Culture Bully.]
- Gay Witch Abortion at Grumpy’s (Minneapolis, MN) ()
Video of Gay Witch Abortion‘s July 25, 2009 set at Grumpy’s features performances of “Action Cop,” “Your Own Militia,” “Girl Pop Soda,” and “Biocation.” [This post was first published by Culture Bully.]
- Sonic Youth at First Avenue (Minneapolis, MN) ()
Stepping up to the mic a few songs into the performance, guitarist Lee Ranaldo briefly dropped a disclaimer that the band would be playing a lot of new songs; he was right. As the first chords of “No Way” began to reverberate throughout First Avenue, Sonic Youth immediately set a trend that would remain consistent […]
- 10,000 Lakes Festival Critics’ Pick ()
This year’s edition of the 10,000 Lakes Festival promises four days of music and camping, but a closer look at the at the actual roster of acts proves the event to be so much more. Before bands such as Tool, Radiohead, and Nine Inch Nails co-opted headlining spots at Bonnaroo, that event held the distinction of being one of the best […]
- The Dead Weather Critics’ Pick ()
Supergroup the Dead Weather, featuring members of Queens of the Stone Age (Dean Fertita), the Kills (Alisson Mosshart), the White Stripes (Jack White) and the Greenhornes (Jack Lawrence), immediately captured the interest of music fans by releasing their first single alongside a cover of Gary Numan‘s “Are Friends Electric?,” both lending a raspy blues influence to a sonic parade. Having now released a full-length […]
- Obits Critics’ Pick ()
In grunge’s wake, Sub Pop now rarely releases music that recalls the Seattle label’s heyday. And even though they don’t have the same bass-heavy, plaid-clad mystique, Obits reflect the same energy that once fueled the label’s phenomenal roster. With a sound reminiscent of the tinny, under-produced alternative (when “alternative” meant an actual alternative to the mainstream) bands […]
- The Flaming Lips at Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL) ()
At times, the world is a beautiful place; one of life’s better reminders of this is a Flaming Lips concert. The Lips’ performance at the Pitchfork Music Festival was one of the most entertaining sets I’ve ever seen—even if it was entirely predictable, it was the good kind of predictable. Spinning a few rarely played […]
- The Walkmen at Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL) ()
Though missing the set’s opener, “The Sky Above,” my Walkmen experience was best summed up by the following songs that the band played. Trailing one of my favorite’s by the group, “In The New Year,” was “Red River,” which made surprisingly good use of a triangle player, “Postcards From Tiny Islands,” and “Canadian Girl,” which […]
- Pharoahe Monch at Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL) ()
DJ Boogie Blind of the X-Ecutioners kicked off Pharoahe Monch’s set with an extended hype-session that prepared the crowd for the energy that would eventually exude from the stage. After announcing that there would be an upcoming Organized Konfusion tour–Monch’s group with Prince Po that recently reformed after disbanding in 1997–the emcee hit the stage […]
- Matt and Kim at Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL) ()
If you’ve ever seen any of Matt and Kim’s music videos, you probably have a good sense of how much energy the Brooklyn-based duo has. That energy is only amplified when the duo is performing live—and further intensified when there’s been some drinking going on. It might have been the multiple missed cues, or when […]
- Black Lips at Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL) ()
Despite an extended soundcheck, Atlanta’s Black Lips came to the Pitchfork Music Festival to do one thing: party. “We got here this afternoon, and we’re going to party here tonight.” Within moments of the first song guitarist Ian Saint Pé proved that statement true as a chord into the band’s first song he took it […]
- MF Doom at Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL) ()
With DOOM’s less than stellar reputation for being prompt to his live performances (or for showing up at all, for that matter), running 10 or 15 minutes late is practically like DOOM showed up early; which is exactly what he did. (Rumors later ranged from the believable: sound problems—which is how it appeared from the […]
- Fucked Up at Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL) ()
From start to finish, Fucked Up’s set was a blur of sparkling eloquence. Psych. Vocalist Damian “Pink Eyes” Abraham chewed on beach balls, strolled shirtless through the crowd and made fun of other bands on the festival’s bill. As Kip Berman of the Pains of Being Pure at Heart later recalled, “We got some good […]
- The Jesus Lizard at Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL) ()
Though it’s far too early to even begin to estimate which performance can be deemed the wildest of the 2009 Pitchfork Music Festival, David Yow of the Jesus Lizard immediately notified the crowd that his band would be in contention as it took the stage Friday night. Prior to sinking his feet into his first […]
- Beyoncé Critics’ Pick ()
Having previously sold some 50 million records as a member of Destiny’s Child, this past decade has seen Beyoncé Knowles separate herself from the image of a girl-group diva and rise up as a full-blown renaissance woman. Singer, songwriter, actress, fashion designer, model, spokesperson, philanthropist, activist: All these titles address aspects of Beyoncé’s multi-faceted persona. But one single […]
- Keb’ Mo’ Critics’ Pick ()
Greatly influenced by the likes of the legendary Robert Johnson (so much so that he accurately portrayed the bluesman in the 1998 documentary Can’t You Hear the Wind Howl?), Keb’ Mo’ has taken the essence of the Delta blues and created his own sound, branching it with elements of everything from pop to African traditionals. Despite his three Grammy Awards for Best […]
- Sick of Sarah Critics’ Pick ()
As the old adage goes, it takes 20 years to become an overnight success. Though Sick of Sarah are miles away from catching a glimpse of that two-decade milestone (their five-year anniversary isn’t too far off, however), the five-piece all-female rock group may very well be on the verge of capturing that evasive status. A self-described mixture […]
- Old 97’s Critics’ Pick ()
In some circles it’s a beloved term that is welcomed with unequivocal praise, and one that is used only in an endearing light. In others it’s a tired label that refers to a style of music that has long since worn out its welcome. Regardless of your opinion of the genre, there’s no better way […]
- The Dead Weather “Horehound” Review ()
A select number of video editors make their living from re-cutting films into two minute promotional trailers. It’s their job to hook the viewer by presenting them with an excerpt of footage that will entice them to want to see more. Likewise, it’s the sign of a good marketer to do something similar with records […]
- Green Day Critics’ Pick ()
Developed out of a childhood friendship between guitarist and singer Billy Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt, Green Day went from a group of slumming teenagers playing punk to global successes while still in their early 20s. Falling out of commercial grace (which is relative, considering they still maintained sales figures and a solid following that most bands would kill […]
- Casiotone for the Painfully Alone Critics’ Pick ()
Chicago’s Owen Ashworth (a.k.a. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone) will stop in the Twin Cities in the middle of a 30-date tour in support of his two most recent releases, Vs. Children and Advance Base Battery Life (a collection of 7-inch singles released between 2004 and 2007). Now more than a decade into his career, Ashworth has employed his delicate vocals […]
- ToToM releases new album: “Dylan Mashed” ()
I don’t know what’s more impressive: a Bob Dylan-themed mashup album, or the fact that such a collection has been created by the traditionally gritty-sample leaning ToToM. After dropping his excellent trio of NineInchNails releases last year, by the name of Bootleg is Resistance, the French producer solidified himself (in my mind, at least) as one of the […]
- Fountains of Wayne Critics’ Pick ()
It would be nice to think that there aren’t songs that make music fans never want to hear a band’s name again, but sadly, such things happen. And typically, when they do, those bands are branded with the nefarious label of one-hit wonder. But sometimes a band is unjustly clumped in with the pack due […]
- The Roots Critics’ Pick ()
As far as Jimmy Fallon is concerned, the Roots are the best band in late-night. Though he’s a tad biased—they back him up each weeknight on his Late Night show—he’s also probably right. Not only that, the Roots are also possibly the best band in hip hop, and equally as refreshing in a live setting. While the group’s roots (sorry, that’s […]
- Elvis Costello & the Imposters Critics’ Pick ()
In the past year Elvis Costello has collaborated with a number of artists ranging from Fall Out Boy to Jenny Lewis, but in taking some time for himself, the legendary singer-songwriter recently released a collection of new songs, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane. The roots-based album sways between folk and country influences, the entire recording sounding perfect for a midsummer’s day cookout. […]
- Sunset Rubdown Critics’ Pick ()
There’s an unusually rich pool of talented and critically fawned-over bands that have originated in Montreal over the past decade, usually with a single degree of separation between them due to their heavy cross-pollination of band members. Call him the Francophonic Kevin Bacon: At the center of things is multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Spencer Krug. Aside from splitting the leadership role […]
- Rancid Critics’ Pick ()
For Let the Dominoes Fall, Rancid’s first album in six years, the band made a decision to approach the record in a way that they had never done before. Vocalist, guitarist, and chief songwriter Tim Armstrong reflected on the album in a recent interview: “We didn’t bring any songs, so it was just all of us back together, […]
- Raine Maida (of Our Lady Peace) Interview ()
Growing up in Canada, there now remains a short-list of bands that released music during my time there which will forever be burned into my mind. Groups like the Tragically Hip and the Headstones come to mind; but somewhere near the top of that list is Our Lady Peace. Now releasing its seventh studio album, […]
- Patterson Hood Interview ()
As one of three vocalists for the Drive-By Truckers, Patterson Hood shares the role of leading one of the most well-rounded Southern rock bands on the planet. In branching out with the release of his first studio recording, Hood is now reflecting on the past decade and a half of thoughts, songs, memories and stories […]
- The Offspring; Dropkick Murphys Critics’ Pick ()
After a four-year touring hiatus, the Offspring are hitting the road in support of last year’s album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace. They’re headlining the 40-date Shit Is Fucked Up Tour (yes, that’s seriously what it’s called), on which they’ll be taking a host of high-profile bands as supporting acts, ranging from Sum 41 to Pennywise to the Dropkick Murphys. […]