Punk, Interrupted
Sire Records cofounder Seymour Stein entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the strength of big discoveries like Talking Heads and Madonna, but buried in his resume was a lesser-known find called Radio Birdman. In relative isolation in Australia this sextet’s proto-punk was a true DIY effort, although slack management and sales thwarted them in the mid-1970s. Well-received one-off reunions and a 2001 Sub Pop compilation helped a new generation discover them, yet after a 25-year layoff their new Zeno Beach album could have been anything from a textbook case of striking hot iron to a fantastic and abominable sellout. Read more…
By Adam Blyweiss Posted in Reviews
In Rock, Veritas
La Rocca took its name from a bar in Bristol, England, but its music is not a booze-soaked affair like The Pogues, having more in common with fellow Dubliners U2. Originally from Ireland and England (singer-guitarist Bjorn Baillie, his brother bassist-singer Simon Baillie, keyboardist-guitarist-singer Nick Haworth and drummer Alan Redmond), the band transplanted to Los Angeles to record its debut album, The Truth, one of the best pop-rock albums of 2006. Read more…
By Desiree Guzzetta Posted in Reviews
Over a year after its originally intended release date in the summer of 2005, the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s final album will finally be released. Titled A Son Unique, the album will hit shelves November 7th coinciding with the 2-year anniversary of the rapper’s untimely death.
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By Matthew Kiel Posted in News
Gnarls Barkley members Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse have already begun working on demos for a second album, thanks to the surprise success of the debut, St. Elsewhere. Says Danger Mouse, “We want to make the record sooner than later.” Read more…
By Alyssa Fried Posted in News
Nellie McKay’s sophomore album created enough of a divide between the artist and her label, Columbia Records, that she left her contract and label behind. Nine months later, McKay has announced a release date of October 31 for Pretty Little Head–the version for which she fought–in all of its lengthy glory. The album will contain twenty-three tracks spread over two discs and include a forty-four page color booklet. It arrives in stores via her own label, Hungry Mouse. Read more…
By Alyssa Fried Posted in News
Amy Lee’s New Favorite Record
Chaotic Resolve shows Plumb’s originality and her massive talent as a singer, while unfortunately revealing her formulaic approach to songwriting. She is also the clear pioneer of an entire genre of female emo singers. Read more…
By Brendan Welsh Posted in Reviews
Space, The Final Frontier
The four members of Akron/Family (Seth Olinsky, Miles Seaton, Dana Janssen and Ryan Vanderhoof) are back, this time with a space-age rumination on life, love and spirituality. This interstellar voyage entitled Meek Warrior is a short venture through rambunctious free jazz and beautiful near-folk ballads. Read more…
By Raymond Flotat Posted in Reviews
On November 14h, a four-disc box set filled with rarities from the tragically cut-short career of Sublime. Simply titled Rarities, the box will contain three discs of demos, accoustic versions and a few unearthed gems. The fourth disc will be a DVD of concert footage and music videos. This box continues the reissue campaign that began in August with the expanded and remastered version of their 1996 self-titled album. Read more…
By Matthew Kiel Posted in News
The brave souls that dared to leave their homes during Los Angeles’ 2006 “storm of the century” and made their way to Sunset Blvd. were treated to an energetic show featuring the unlikely pairing of Rock Kills Kid and Electric Six. Even the unusually wet weather outside couldn’t dampen the spirits of the preternaturally rain-shy L.A. crowd inside The Key Club and the room was filled to capacity for these up-and-comers. Read more…
By Robert Black Posted in Features
Darwin’s Pride
What’s in a name? Pretty Girls Make Graves adopted theirs from a Smiths song/ Jack Kerouac quote in 2001, and have wisely titled their latest album êlan Vital. Referring to the philosophy of an evolution-causing force, êlan Vital showcases a shift in maturity and style experimentation. Read more…
By Danielle Reicherter Posted in Reviews
