CD Review: Bombadil — All That the Rain Promises

Bombadil
All That the Rain Promises
Ramseur Records

By Leila Regan-Porter

North Carolina’s Bombadil started out with a lot going for them. Signed to Ramseur Records as The Avett Brothers took off, they could pass as the Avett’s scrappy, just-as-breathtaking little brothers, and were quickly gaining well-earned attention with their own brand of genre-crossing powerful songwriting. The soul-stirring poetry, literary references, backwoods vibe and almost naive introspection won over everyone, especially with their first full-length, 2009′s Tarpits and Canyonlands.

But, as with the most compelling novels, health issues (namely singer/bassist/pianist Daniel Michalak’s nerve damage in his hands) put the band’s climb on hold back in 2009. Not much was heard from the band for a few years, and the possibility that Bombadil would go the way of many an indie band who never got to fulfill their potential grew and grew. Happily, with All That the Rain Promises, audiences can rest assured that this is not the case.

… Continue Reading

CD Review: Childish Gambino — Camp

Childish Gambino
Camp
Glassnote Records

By Justin Lyons

Childish Gambino’s (aka Stone Mountain native Donald Glover) underground works often stressed being different from the rest of the rap world. Camp, his first proper album, finds Childish Gambino in a class of upper echelon emcees and manages to balance influence with individualism. … Continue Reading

Picture Book: Thee Oh Sees, Total Control at The EARL, November 11

By Michael Koenig ( http://vacantmoon.viewbook.com/)

Full gallery after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Picture Book: Kid Rock at Center Stage, November 10

By Kent Maxey

Full gallery after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Live Review: Feist at The Tabernacle, November 6

Review by David Courtright; photo by Matt Smith

When Leslie Feist strolled out on stage with Vermont vocal trio Mountain Man in tow, holding a full wine glass, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion the evening would amount to something special. For Feist, an internationally-acclaimed pop star (whether she likes it or not), has nothing if not good taste. She hand-picked the indie darlings to be her back-up singers, and in making that decision, brought to her already stunning live performance some of the most startling female vocal talent out there today. It was no surprise that the vocals were tight, and an integral part of the experience. … Continue Reading

Picture Book & Live Review: Iron & Wine at Buckhead Theatre, November 11

Review by Justin Lyons; photos by Catrina Maxwell (www.catmaxphotography.com)

Full gallery after the jump.

Iron & Wine – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA – 11/11/11

By Justin Lyons

If you haven’t listened to Iron & Wine recently, you might assume two things about Sam Beam & co.’s live performance: a) a simple singer-songwriter style approach with just an acoustic guitar, b) a trademark bushy beard.

Iron & Wine’s first album The Creek Drank The Cradle certainly ushered in a tidal wave of acoustic narrating troubadours, but over the last nine years, the band transformed into multi-talented act. The flowing beard, while tamer than previous years, is still there, but as Iron & Wine releases have grown and diversified, so have Beam’s live experiences.  From Twilight-featured fame to collaboration with Arizona alt country act Calexico to funky, ’70s pop 2011 album, Kiss Each Other Clean, Iron & Wine’s gradual progression has been a welcome one.  … Continue Reading

Picture Book: Youth Lagoon, Young Magic at The Drunken Unicorn, November 11

By Matthew Smith (www.shadowboxerphoto.com)

Full gallery after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Picture Book: Sebadoh at The 40 Watt Club, November 7

By Michael Koenig (http://vacantmoon.viewbook.com/)

Full gallery after the jump.

… Continue Reading

CD Review: Minus Ned — Are We Finally Fitting In?; Playing The Nest, November 10

Minus Ned
Are We Finally Fitting In?
Nedhead Records

By Al Kaufman

When guitarist Ned Bridges decided to form a band with fellow Connecticut friends Zach Guglin (vocals/drums) and Michael Martens (guitar), he probably thought the band would just break up when he took off for college. Instead, the two remaining members recruited guitarist Mark Pinkert and bassist Trevor Raffauf before moving out to L.A. and adding female singer (and sometimes actress) Marissa DuBois. The band was all together; except for one. The name was obvious. … Continue Reading

Live Review: Foo Fighters at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, November 7

By Justin Lyons

Foo Fighters have a good problem on their hands: They can play soaring rock anthems for three hours straight.  It’s actually more of an issue for their fans that barely have time to catch their breath.  From start to finish, there was hardly a moment that Dave Grohl and company weren’t shaking their sweaty locks as they expertly enthralled the near sell out Gwinnett Arena crowd. … Continue Reading

Picture Book: Girl In A Coma, The Coathangers at Masquerade, November 7

By Ellen Eldridge

Full gallery after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Picture Book: Feist at The Tabernacle, November 6

By Matthew Smith

Full gallery after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Picture Book: Melt Banana at The EARL, November 5

By Michael Koenig (http://vacantmoon.viewbook.com/)

Full gallery after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Picture Book: Bands from the Chomp And Stomp in Cabbagetown, November 5

By Ken Lackner

Full gallery with Ballhog!, High Strung String Band, Spanky and the Love Handles and Steve Tombstone after the jump. Find your picture in our PhotoReflect gallery too!

… Continue Reading

CD Review: Ken Will Morton — Contenders; Playing Eddie’s Attic on November 13

Ken Will Morton
Contenders
Ghostmeat Records

By Ellen Eldridge

Listeners will hear Bob Dylan’s influence in the first note of the first song, “Broken Windows,” even before seeing the credit for Bob Dylan’s title and verse in “Swan on the River” later on the album Contenders. Connecting the obvious smoky style inspiration, patterned after greats like Dylan, to the willingness Morton maintains to explore music. The second track, “Que Lastima” translates to mean “what a pity” and though Ken Will Morton started his career in Athens, his open-mindedness to a Spanish-styled country keeps his music original. Blues and southern influences emerge from homespun stories told over the twang from mandolin and harmonica.  Songs like “Powder Keg” and “Rough and Tumble” pay homage to the title Contenders in keeping the idea of what could have been coursing through the songs. “Happy Enough” contrasts against its predecessor, “Que Lastima,” and pokes at the irony. The song was loosely based off a movie called Waitress (2007), which showcases an unhappily married, pregnant waitress’ grab for happiness from a relationship with a newcomer to town. … Continue Reading