California freak-folk ambassadors Vetiver might be one of underground rock’s best kept secrets, but the quintet’s concert on Tuesday night proved this shouldn’t be the case for much longer. Continue reading
With the release of their terrific last record in 2008, it was uncertain if Philadelphia retro-rockers Dr. Dog were really a stupefying, sometimes exhilarating mishmash of ’60s tribute bands who had unexpectedly struck gold or if they were something more. The band is now road testing a batch of new material in a short preview tour of North America and the new tunes only deepen the mystery. Continue reading
Two years after knocking the pop world on its ear with a jaw-dropping debut, Vampire Weekend has returned with a new record that likewise seeks to find a fusion between power-pop and African and Caribbean musical styles. The only problem: the band forgot to include the pop. Continue reading
Looking to cash in your iTunes gift card from the holidays? Soundbytes’ David Hyland has recommendations where to spend it. Continue reading
Ten years after he reconvened his E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen now seems ready to indulge in a little nostalgia as he salutes the high points and long-overlooked gems of his discography during a concert Sunday night in Milwaukee. Continue reading
Boasting members with rock-star resumes impressive enough to pique any fans’ curiosity, Them Crooked Vultures and their debut album ultimately fulfill the supergroup moniker — albeit largely for the wrong reasons. Continue reading
Eclipsed by Nirvana’s ascendency to superstardom, alternative-rock pioneers Dinosaur Jr. saw little return despite their years of wowing the underground. On Tuesday night’s concert in Madison, Wis., the newly reunited band used high volume and their cache of bludgeoning riffs to conquer the audience. Continue reading
Indie-rock visionary Sufjan Stevens’ eccentric songs and his garage-band approach to orchestration might suggest he’s an advocate for creative spontaneity. His concert in Madison, Wis., on Monday night gave a different impression, offering a sneak peek at his creative process as he tried out a batch of new baroque-pop songs. Continue reading
Seven years after the death of their iconic frontman, Seattle’s Alice In Chains has reformed with a new lead singer and new album. But despite the changes in the band and the world at large since the grunge years, the new record picks up exactly where they left off. Continue reading
Six years after releasing its greatest album only to find many fans found that it did a better Radiohead than Radiohead, English alternative-rock trio Muse are still struggling to earn the success and respect its music warrants. The group’s new album takes a different tact to win new fans and convert suspicious holdouts. Continue reading
Soundbytes Music Column 