The problem with many collaborations is that they often end up sounding like thrown-together vanity projects; and don’t really do a lot to expand the musical vocabulary of either of the participants. However, David Byrne has made a second career out of working with other musicians that some might argue pushes more boundaries than his […]
The first time I saw Deerhoof was at Nashville’s infamous stink-hole dive bar, the Springwater Supper Club and Lounge in 2000. They tore through seven songs in under twenty minutes, putting then-new guitarist John Dieterich through his paces. Drummer Greg Saunier’s lurching, powerhouse fills and bassist Satomi Matsuzaki’s child-like, sing-song lyrics were balanced perfectly by […]
I can’t deny it: Growing up I was a hardcore scene kid. Black band tees, black jeans, bandanas, hardcore dancing, straight edge, hair too long in the front and shaved in the back, and a Xanga page that would make Conor Oberst feel a bit better about himself. Still, as I’ve grown older, and my music tastes […]
I’ve never been one for Spring Fever. I’ve always been more of a Fall Fever guy. I look forward with relish to fiery red leaves and sweater weather, bonfires and heavy beers. I missed Nude Beach‘s second album, II, when the band self-released it this Spring, only to see it quickly sell out while on […]
That grinning-from-ear-to-ear feeling you get about a great record ends up doing two things: listening to said record over and over for months in classic binge fashion, and also bludgeoning your friends with it. I’ve spoken about this phenomenon before. Cary Ann Hearst and her partner in crime, Michael Trent make up the South Carolinian […]
You won’t find a review of Providence, RI’s Fang Island that does not quote the band themselves saying that their music is the sound of “everyone high-fiving everyone”, but don’t blame the critics. While this feels like the ultimate in Wikipedia-cribbing Criticism Lite, the fact remains that there’s simply no better way to describe the music that […]