2004 had something for everyone. Hip-hop’s hottest producer cut a record where he rapped as much about praising the Lord as he did scoring. Some longtime music veterans got the makeover treatment this year, and released records that were surprisingly strong. And a new crop of indie rockers thrive while flying under the mainstream radar. David gives a rundown of what you should have bought during 2004. Continue reading
Persevering through years of power plays, name-calling, and assorted legal threats, the long-gestating Nirvana box set has finally hit store shelves. “With The Lights Out” is a big Christmas gift for Nirvana fans that has arrived just in time to stuff the stocking of the Gen-X-ers on your list. Continue reading
Their every album sells millions of copies. Their songs dominate the radio airwaves and their videos are unmovable from MTV heavy rotation. Their every public statement and appearance is news around the world. Can anything stop the multi-million dollar machine that is U2? David tells why their new album might trip up their global reign. Continue reading
Chicago’s ever-evolving alt-rockers Wilco have hit the road again brandishing a new musical philosophy, a cache of new songs and yet another new lineup. David reviews whether these changes are for the better. Continue reading
Fate seemed to be against Interpol during their recent concert stop in Minneapolis. Technical problems, poor sound mixing, sloppy playing and stiff competition from their supporting acts kept the New York band from living up to their promise and potential. Keep reading. Continue reading
A once-in-a-lifetime list of classic rock god have joined forces for “Vote For Change” tour to raise money for and rally support for Democratic candidates. At the tour’s Minnesota stop, the “stars” literally aligned and with the help of surprise guest, left the audience exhilarated and wipe out. Read our Soundbytes review. Continue reading
The new documentary about the making of Metallica’s latest album is a backstage pass to dysfunction. For two hours, fans and lay people alike can watch metal’s prevailing band wrestle with allusive creativity, substance abuse, epic ego clashes and talk about their tender-est feelings to unintentionally make one of the most entertaining music movies ever. Continue reading
Wilco returns with a fiercely experimental album. But can the Chicago-based band’s new record trump their much-praised breakthrough. Continue reading
At a concert in Minneapolis on Sunday, Albuquerque’s the Shins demonstrate onstage why their taking the underground rock world by storm and why they’re more than the sum of their parts. Continue reading
Soundbytes reviews a pair of albums from some ’80s punk veterans that have awakened from their decades-long slumber with the aim of restarting their careers and shedding light on their nearly-forgotten legacies. Continue reading
Soundbytes Music Column 