CD Review: Bobby Bare Jr. — A Storm – A Tree – My Mother’s Head; Playing The EARL, September 21

Bobby Bare Jr.
A Storm – A Tree – My Mother’s Head
Naked Albino Recordings

By Micah McLain

The majority of Bobby Bare Jr.’s recordings take a while to really get into your head and settle in, and his latest album is no exception. Although he stays mostly within the realm of alt-country, his lyrics and subject matter range from unique to flat-out weird. The one constant in Bare Jr.’s music is that it’s all pretty damn catchy once you spend some time with it. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Paloma Faith — Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?

Paloma Faith
Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?
SIN / Sony UK

By Giles Turnbull

Press play and the room transforms into a lively jazz-era dance hall, complete with house band. Onto the stage comes Paloma Faith, a British singer-songwriter, bringing with her a stylish infusion of pop, trip hop and soul, cutting through the atmosphere like lime in the gin.

These are big songs with big stories. It’s a wonderfully heady mix from start to finish, and it’s easy to see why this debut album hit the UK Top 40, staying there for over 40 weeks, and has already gone platinum. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Lakes — The Agreement

Lakes
The Agreement
Self-released

By Giles Turnbull

“Life? Don’t talk to me about life!” says Marvin the Paranoid Android, repeatedly, in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I harbor a suspicion that Marvin might have co-written many of the lyrics on Lakes’ debut album, The Agreement.

Admittedly it’s been a summer full of exceedingly, in some cases excruciatingly, cheerful songs. It can be quite refreshing, then, to have something a touch more melancholy; a band that’s not afraid to go out and play in the rain. It has to be said, that you can hear this even in Lakes’ attempts at being cheerful; like they’ve peeked around the corner and have seen that it’s all going to end in tears. And now they’re going to tell us about it, and enjoy doing so. … Continue Reading

Picture Book: Billy Idol, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, August 31

By Matthew Smith (www.shadowboxerphoto.com)

Full gallery after the jump

… Continue Reading

CD Review: Jenny and Johnny — I’m Having Fun Now; Playing the Fox Theatre on October 30

Jenny and Johnny
I’m Having Fun Now
Warner Brothers

By Al Kaufman

Those who complain that Rilo Kiley does not  have enough Jenny Lewis will have the same problem with Jenny and Johnny. Jenny and her flame, Johnathan Rice, basically trade songs on their coming out disc, relegating the other person to back-up harmonies and oohs and aahs. But they are both incredibly strong songwriters who sound sweet together. And the photo on the back of the disc is simply adorable (as opposed to the artsy, and over-red cover photo). This is two people in love having in love, so forgive them their trespasses. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Darker My Love — Alive As You Are

Darker My Love fans who have come to expect reverb-filled psychedelia are going to be grossly disappointed in Alive As You Are, their third release. However, those who mourn the pleasing harmonies and jangly guitars of the now defunct Americana darlings, The Jayhawks, may have found a new band to follow. … Continue Reading

Picture Book: Tears For Fears at Chastain Park Amphitheater, August 26

By Matthew Smith (www.shadowboxerphoto.com)

Full gallery after the jump. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Oranjuly — Oranjuly

Oranjuly
Oranjuly
Self-released

By Lizzie Burnham

When Oranjuly was delivered to my inbox, the fleeting hope that they were from The Netherlands came to mind.  Even though they are not the Oranje, they are not to be written off.  This power pop quintet, whose name consists of orange and July, hails from Boston, Mas., and could successfully brought bubblegum pop back to the forefront of the music world today with the release of their self-titled debut album. … Continue Reading

Picture Book: Juliette Lewis at Smith’s Olde Bar, August 24

By Susie Ceruto

Full gallery after the jump…

… Continue Reading

Live Review: Ray LaMontagne and David Gray at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, August 23

Review and photo by Jeremy Frye

If you count the bats circling the night sky, Chastain Park Amphitheatre was over capacity. It was a “rock” setup, with rows of chairs down front replacing the usual tables. This meant there were no fancy picnics, no tablecloths, no wine, and no cheese platters. Instead, every seat was packed with almost 7,000 people there to see the most sublime folk-rock pairing since Kenny Loggins first laid eyes on Jim Messina. Sadly, Ray LaMontagne and David Gray would not be teaming up to perform together. Rather, under a beautifully clear sky and a full moon, the two distinct and talented performers co-headlined an evening of Adult Album Alternative radio hits. … Continue Reading