With 50 years experience in music, Johnny Cash has earned his place as a founder of rock ‘n’ roll and a legend in country music. His latest album, however, proves that his musical evolution hasn’t stopped nor are all his glories behind him. Continue reading
As a rule, musical supergroups are typically a disappointment. Soundbytes was at the first show of Beck’s tour with his new backing band, the Flaming Lips, and he has the answer as to whether this pairing is as exceptional as both artists’ latest music. Continue reading
The Flaming Lips have made a career of doing what’s not expected, and after years in the trenches, the Oklahoma trio is now getting the credit they deserve. Soundbytes talks with the Lips about their recent success, their penchant for perverse artistic choices, the mysteries of pop music, their preoccupation with people dressed as animals, and their upcoming tour as Beck’s backing band. Continue reading
Beck Hansen’s eclectic recording career has rightfully earned him the reputation as pop music’s man of 1,000 faces. His newest offering, “Sea Change,” goes behind the dabbler and finally and firmly establishes where the musician’s true strengths lie. Continue reading
With Ozzy on TV, Nickleback’s Chad Kroeger scoring a huge hit single and System of a Down done headlining this summer’s installment of the always successful Ozzfest tour, metal is back in the popular consciousness like it has never been before. But are metal’s young turks releasing music that rises to the occasion? Soundbytes gives a peek Continue reading
They’ve had to overcome record-company politics and the loss of a key band member, but Wilco’s biggest challenge might be proving whether they’re as good a live act as they once were. If the group’s concert Tuesday night is any indication, they’re better than ever. Continue reading
Paul Westerberg was loose but in command during Saturday night’s concert in front of his hometown crowd at Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater. Continue reading
Soundbytes gives a listen to some of the summer’s heavy hitters and lets you in on who scores and who struck out. Continue reading
Soundbytes weeds through three master songwriters’ latest records to see who’s still got it. Continue reading
Wilco recorded their bravest album yet and got dropped by their record label for their effort. Now, their terrific new album, “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” headlines a batch of band-related projects hitting music stores. Continue reading
Soundbytes Music Column 