Dropped by their major label, the Indigo Girls are determined to prove that this pair of folk-rock veterans isn’t an oldies act just yet. Their new disc uses pop elan to fight for their continuing relevancy. Continue reading
Category Archives: 2009
Review: Chris Cornell’s ‘Scream’ Howls For Electro-Pop Stardom
Once upon a time, ex-Soungarden and Audioslave singer Chris Cornell was the ’90s equivalent of a heavy metal golden god. Now desperate to get his solo career off the ground, Cornell has tracked a new album that ditches heavy rock for Timbaland-produced electro-pop. Find out if the gamble does the trick. Continue reading
Review: U2’s ‘Horizon’ Hints At Group’s Creative Sunset
For its last two records, U2 set as the group’s primary musical objective to prove that these middle-aged rock legends are still the best band in the world. The group’s new album, “No Line On The Horizon,” finds the Irish combo in a new era and with a far fuzzier purpose. Continue reading
Review: Van Morrison Revisits, Reworks ’60s Masterpiece On Live Disc
His lyrics harken back to the poetry of the Romantics and often drift back to the Belfast of his youth, but Van Morrison is a notoriously unsentimental musician when it comes to playing his greatest hits. This makes his decision to release a live album celebrating his most mystical, beguiling record more than 40 years after he first recorded it all the more intriguing. Continue reading
At Halftime, Springsteen Summons Rock’s Redemptive Power
With only 12 minutes of camera time to wow millions watching the Super Bowl, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band unleashed their greatest hits and the Boss’ well-honed stage act to energize this year’s halftime show. Continue reading
Preview: Springsteen To Sound Triumphant At Halftime
When Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band take the stage Sunday during the Super Bowl halftime show, viewers should prepare to finally hear from a Boss who wants to give them a lifeline of hope instead of one who’s handing out pink slips. Continue reading
Review: Animal Collective Discovers Pop Formulas As Latest Experiment
After years of dizzying eclecticism and experimentation while eking out an existence on the indie-rock periphery, New York avant-garde rockers Animal Collective have hit upon a form they’ve yet to explore: pop music. The group’s latest disc is a revelation and should propel them to the forefront of the rock underground. Continue reading
Review: Devendra Banhart Continues Free-Spirited Wanderings On New Disc
Too long surrounded by an army of like-minded longhairs, singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart is beginning to outgrow his handle as the prophet of “freak folk.” His new album documents a maturing artist who has grown into a songwriter and performer of surprising utility. Continue reading
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