Going solo is the escape hatch for every frontman frustrated by the confines of band life. But what do you do when your solo debut flops? Soundbytes weighs in whether the second solo albums by Ben Folds and former Toad The Wet Sprocket singer Glen Phillips are worth a second chance. Continue reading
After years of wallowing on the edge of obscurity, Minnesota trio Low is posed to claim a bigger slice of the indie rock pie with a new label and a new sound. Continue reading
How does a long-struggling heavy rock band follow their breakthrough success? If you’re Queens Of The Stone Age, you chuck their trademark sound out the window before recording your new album. Soundbytes gives an estimate of the damage. Continue reading
The Grammys are this Sunday and Soundbytes puts on his swami hat to give a rundown of who’s likely to walk away with the music industry’s most prestigious awards. Continue reading
The Game is hip-hop’s hottest property. Sponsored by Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, the West Coast rapper has a debut album that soared to the top of the charts and he’s compiled an impressive list of headlines on MTV.com for the verbal scuffles that he’s had with some of rap’s biggest names. Soundbytes clues you on whether his record is worth the accompanying hype. Continue reading
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
Soundbytes Music Column 