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
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
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
Consisting of only a couple of French guys toying with a few guitars and keyboards, you wouldn’t expect electronica innovators Air to be a great live act. You’re wrong. Continue reading
Blame it on Phil Spector. Ever since the architect of the “Wall of Sound” melded string accompaniment with rock’n’roll, every band sooner or later develops ambitions to take their music to an epic scale. Two new releases feature just such audacity, including one boasting contributions from the infamous producer himself. Continue reading
Proclaimed the Jackie Robinson of rock music, Living Colour not only opened the door for black musicians, it also succeeded in threatening the glam-metal establishment long before “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” A decade later, an interracial group like Sevendust is among metal’s most prominent outfits, having benefited from Living Colour’s example and their influence. Unfortunately, the band’s new album proves they are just as apt as their musical heroes to stumble. Continue reading
Still frequently compared to the fellow male-female rock duo, the White Stripes, Denmark’s the Raveonettes proved at their recent Minneapolis concert Tuesday that they rock as hard — and as loud — as Detroit’s finest. Continue reading
While the hip-hop mainstream is still artistically languishing — under the sway of homogenous artists that extol the same-old false glories of gross materialism and a thug’s life — genre-jumping artists like Atmosphere and Bubba Sparxxx have come out with two of the best rap albums this year. Continue reading
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