Music
Essays, blog posts, playlists, and more focused broadly on music. For more playlists visit my Spotify profile.
- Lil Wayne “Prom Queen” ()
Though it serves as the lead single from Lil Wayne’s forthcoming Rebirth, if “Prom Queen” were released by anyone but Weezy, it simply wouldn’t matter. But it is, and as such it matters. Regrettably continuing the trend of the ‘MC rock record,’ “Prom Queen” is, at best, an utterly boring stab at the lowest level […]
- Dan Auerbach “Keep It Hid” ()
Written during the recording sessions for the Black Keys’ 2008 album Attack & Release, Keep It Hid marks the first solo release for the band’s guitarist and singer Dan Auerbach. With five group albums already under his belt, Auerbach takes on a much more diverse role with Keep It Hid, performing the majority of the instrumental roles throughout the […]
- Nashville Pussy “From Hell To Texas” ()
Recorded at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studios, Nashville Pussy’s From Hell To Texas continues the band’s perennial themes of gettin’ drunk, gettin’ high and gettin’ laid. And helping suck every last drop of gravel-throated growl from lead singer Blaine Cartwright is producer Daniel Rey (Misfits, Ramones), who last worked with the band on their 2005 release Get Some. Amongst […]
- The Police vs. Duffy mashed by Mighty Mike ()
With “Mercy for Roxanne” French bootlegger Mighty Mike takes two songs which have been greatly over-mashed on their own, and perfectly combines them into flowing track that puts Duffy’s “Mercy” into a more fitting context of 1978. The producer has been on a tear the past few months, with one of his best mashups, “Beggin’ […]
- P.O.S “Never Better” ()
Fresh off the heels of a self-titled release by the entire Doomtree crew, group member P.O.S. branches out for his first solo album since 2006 with Never Better. While it is a solo record, writing and production credits from Doomtree Members Sims, Dessa and Lazerbeak give Never Better the feeling of being a family affair. The CD version […]
- Robyn “The Cherrytree Sessions” ()
Originally recorded for the web program “Live at the Cherrytree House,” The Cherrytree Sessions captures renditions of a few tracks from Robyn’s most recent self-titled album. Coming nearly four years after Robyn was initially released in her native Sweden, the EP captures bare-bones versions of “Bum Like You,” “With Every Heartbeat,” and “Be Mine!” Coinciding with the announcement of […]
- Chamillionaire “Venom” ()
One of the best self-promoters in rap, Chamillionaire’s third major label release, Venom, follows a string of four official mixtapes including three new entries in his ongoing Mixtape Messiah series. For the release of Venom the self-proclaimed “Best Rapper Alive” surrounded himself with a hearty supporting cast of talent with guests such as Ludacris and Good Charlotte contributing to tracks. […]
- Gary Louris/Mark Olson “Ready For The Flood” ()
Serving as Mark Olson and Gary Louris’ first official album together since Olson’s departure from the Jayhawks in 1995, Ready for the Flood is a record full of tracks reflecting the duo’s deep-seated Americana roots. Produced by the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson, the album’s 13 tracks showcase the duo’s ability to harmonize over chugging back-porch jams and […]
- Lil Wayne, Jim Jones, Twista & NOE “Swagger From Us” ()
So much hype was given to Lil Wayne’s The Drought Is Over Pt. 6 (The Reincarnation) late last year, most of which was aimed at a mixtape that had more gaps in it than Weezy’s baby-momma’s grill (yeah, I said it). The mix more than made up for its lulls with massive bangers however, such […]
- Chamillionaire “Best Rapper Alive” ()
As if it were ever a meaningful boast, calling yourself the “best rapper alive” has now become hip hop’s equivalent to saying that your restaurant’s BBQ is “world famous.” All the same, Chamillionaire might very well be the best rapper alive (in Houston), and he’s set a release schedule over the past few years so […]
- The Prodigy “Invaders Must Die” ()
Time has a tendency of changing a lot of things. Time can warp friendships and distance what was once very close. Time can also mend old wounds and rejuvenate what was once thought to be dead. Such is the case with The Prodigy as Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and Maxim Reality have reconciled their differences, […]
- Ecid Critics’ Pick ()
In the second-to-last performance of his month-long residency, Kristoff Krane will be returning to The Depot in Hopkins Saturday night for another all-ages show along with gritty, introspective MC Ecid. Aside from the full-bodied lineups that have already accompanied Krane at The Depot, including performances by Big Quarters, No Bird Sing, and Ill Chemistry, January has been […]
- William Elliott Whitmore Critics’ Pick ()
William Elliott Whitmore has a voice that echoes a soul far older than his years, with a sound ever on the brink of cracking. It’s a voice that can be heard throughout the nation as he continues to tour in support of his forthcoming album, Animals in the Dark. The record will be his sixth full-length, but […]
- The Map and the Territory Critics’ Pick ()
While the group’s self-assessment of “strange loops & the infinite regress” might be a little off the mark, it’s hard to dismiss the appeal of the atmospheric reach behind the Map and the Territory’s songs. The band has a gentle approach, characterized by the flowing cohesiveness between the rhythm section and Jeramy Cain’s lead guitar. A […]
- Dead Man’s Bones “In The Room Where You Sleep” ()
Roughly a week ago, I watched the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall for the first time. And in it, Jason Segel’s character writes an absolutely ridiculous vampire rock opera (to be performed by puppets, no less). To my surprise, however, the songs somehow work within the context of the movie. Furthermore, they reminded me of the […]
- Kyle “El Guante” Myhre and Jessica Rosenberg Interview ()
On January 23, the Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis will host Hip Hop Against Homophobia, a concert sponsored by Culture Bully, Twin Cities arts collective/record label Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records, and activist organizations Join the Impact Twin Cities, OutFront MN and the Twin Cities Avengers. Artists include Toki Wright, Maria Isa, Kredentials, Alicia Leafgreen, See More […]
- The Wailers Critics’ Pick ()
This past October, Liz Phair returned to First Avenue; her celebratory tour marked the 15th anniversary of what may be her finest album, Exile in Guyville. That night Phair performed the album in its entirety, and her performance was given a reception that reflected the audience’s respect and admiration for the singer-songwriter. Taking that into consideration, and not […]
- A Benefit for Chad Weis Critics’ Pick ()
It wouldn’t be entirely absurd to expect a few unannounced guests to show up at First Avenue’s Benefit for Chad Weis, especially given the ridiculous list of talented musicians he’s worked with during his career. The current lineup of announced guests includes Mason Jennings, Cloud Cult, Trampled by Turtles, Haley Bonar, and the Pines, but the list of artists Weis […]
- Charlie Parr Critics’ Pick ()
Duluth-based country-blues musician Charlie Parr returns to Minneapolis, playing Lee’s Liquor Lounge this Saturday night. The one-off show comes in preparation for his forthcoming tour of the U.K. and Ireland this spring. His efforts overseas will be in support of Roustabout, his most recent album, which will see international release next month. Unleashed in November, the album was recorded on […]
- Antony and the Johnsons’ “The Crying Light” Review ()
Despite the adulation generously thrown at Antony and the Johnsons for 2005’s I Am A Bird Now, the album is far from easily accessible. And up until the release of last year’s Hercules and Love Affair album, to which Antony Hegarty contributed, I stood firmly by my initial reaction to his music. Upon the first […]
- The Lemurs “Yours, Mine, Ours” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Here, guitarist and vocalist Mitch Billeaud dissects “Yours, Mine, Ours” from The Lemurs’ latest album Million Little Bits. On “Yours, Mine, Ours”: Though […]
- Annuals Interview ()
Initially lauded as standouts amongst a pool of grimly labeled “blog bands,” Raleigh, North Carolina’s Annuals are now relative veterans amongst a continually shifting indie rock landscape. Following a string of EPs, the band released its full-length sophomore album late last year, entitled Such Fun. The album signaled a shift in direction for the Annuals, […]
- Chin Chin “GG and the Boys” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Here, the guys from Chin Chin break down the circumstances that led to the creation of the first single from their forthcoming album […]
- Background Noise Crew “Funk Yo Monk (We Red Hot)” (Influenza) ()
The Single Series (Friends With Benefits) by Background Noise Crew feat. Phaust Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Here, Phingaz of Minneapolis’ Background Noise Crew dissects the group’s interpretation […]
- Magic Black Pumas; the Mevissens Critics’ Pick ()
This Wednesday night, St. Paul’s Big V’s is showcasing a pair of local alt-rock holdouts, Magic Black Pumas and the Mevissens. No matter how cool the thought of a performance piece that somehow combines the flavor of the Black Panther Party with the creepiness of David Blaine‘s Street Magic might be, Magic Black Pumas do not fit such […]
- James Buckley Trio Critics’ Pick ()
No stranger to the Dinkytown venue, James Buckley is returning to the Kitty Cat Klub Tuesday, bringing with him one of the best modern jazz acts in the Twin Cities. Following the strong reception to 2007’s Stitches, the James Buckley Trio has been continually performing throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul—the consistent lineup of J.T. Bates, Bryan Nichols, and Buckley solidifying […]
- A Paper Cup Band Critics’ Pick ()
From the backwoods of Wisconsin comes A Paper Cup Band, an acoustic-based group that, for better or worse, performs music that lands somewhere close to folk, or “bastard-folk,” as the band calls itself. Occasionally kissing the sound with a base of electronics, the group will be hosting a release show this Friday at the Hexagon […]
- One for the Team “Best Supporting Actor” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Here, Ian Anderson of Minneapolis’ One For The Team dissects the spiral of thoughts which formed the theme to one of the group’s […]
- Eminem “Crack A Bottle (Number 1)” ()
“Crack A Bottle” was first dropped on Big Mike & DJ Neptune’s 4th Quarter Pressure Part 2 mixtape last month as “Number 1,” but a few days ago a cleaned-up version of the track leaked, sans mixtape shout-outs. Presuming that Relapse comes out before October, Shady is going to be 36 when it drops. Oh, […]
- Anya Marina “Two Left Feet” ()
In addition to being a singer-songwriter and one-time aspiring actress, Anya Marina is a radio DJ in San Diego, California. It would make sense then that Marina’s forthcoming release, Slow & Steady Seduction Phase II, reflects the great range of exposure to culture she’s had in her life. The album sways between styles using Marina’s […]