CD Review: Rose Melberg — Homemade Ship

CD Review: Rose Melberg — Homemade Ship

Rose Melberg Homemade Ship K Records By Scott Roberts In the mid- to late-1990s, Rose Melberg was one half (along with Jen Sbragia) of the duo The Softies, a band who carved out their own brand of delicate, melodic music — whisper-pop, if you will — employing only quiet electric guitars and goose-bump inducing harmonies […]

CD Review: Whip It Soundtrack

CD Review: Whip It Soundtrack

Whip ItSoundtrackRhino By Al Kaufman "This soundtrack is my mix tape for you," writes Drew Barrymore in the liner notes for the soundtrack for Whip It, the film she directed about an indie girl in Texas who falls in love with roller derby. This collection sounds like Drew Barrymore. It's got fun, attitude, feminism, sappy […]

Sarah Pray Plays Two Shows in ATL

Sarah Pray Plays Two Shows in ATL

By Al Kaufman They're everywhere. Those people who like to say, "I saw REM in a small club before Chronic Town, before they even had a record contract." Music fandom is sometimes a competitive sport. It's important to be the first to notice somebody, to say that you saw someone before anyone else even knew […]

CD Review: They Might Be Giants — Here Comes Science

CD Review: They Might Be Giants — Here Comes Science

They Might Be GiantsHere Comes ScienceDisney Sound By Al Kaufman Since the band's inception in 1986, many have accused geek rockers They Might Be Giants (namely, John Linnell and John Flansburgh) of being a kids' band. Between silly songs, such as "Purple Toupee," they put songs about American history, like "James K. Polk," or social […]

The Big Rock Out to Pay Tribute to Slain Olympic Boxer Vernon Forrest

The Big Rock Out to Pay Tribute to Slain Olympic Boxer Vernon Forrest

The Big Rock Out, for those who don’t know, is a Vegas-style night of pure entertainment coming to Atlanta on September 19. There will be music from awesome rockers Cowboy Mouth as well as local lads Holdcell, and boxing matches between “Pretty Boy” Michael Jean Louis and Anthony “Ice” Greenridge. Sounds pretty exciting – and […]

Music Man–The Atlanta Sound?

Music Man–The Atlanta Sound?

The recent, well-deserved signing of Atlanta’s The Constellations to Virgin records made me think about the Atlanta music scene. On a national and international level, Atlanta is known best for its thriving hip-hop scene, and what an incredible scene it is. Within a two mile radius of my house there are a plethora of world-class […]

Live Review: The Constellations, Soulphonics & Ruby Velle @ The EARL, September 10

Live Review: The Constellations, Soulphonics & Ruby Velle @ The EARL, September 10

By Sam Parvin With The Constellations’ recent signing to Virgin Records, I anticipated a rather rowdy show at The EARL on Thursday night, and, girl, was I right! There was not one disengaged body in the bar – the performers would not stand for such allowances. Peaking around the corner through the back door to […]

CD Review: Mark Knopfler — Get Lucky

CD Review: Mark Knopfler — Get Lucky

Mark KnopflerGet LuckyReprise By Al Kaufman Mark Knopfler has come a long way since “Sultans of Swing.” The 1977 hit for Knopfler’s band Dire Straits created that trademark fuzzy guitar sound that would serve Knopfler well for the next 30 or so years. Yes, Knopfler has grown and changed over time. His music often has […]

CD Review: Chris Knight — Trailer II

CD Review: Chris Knight — Trailer II

Chris KnightTrailer IIDrifter's Church By Al Kaufman   Usually when an artist returns to the well that brought him success, the water does not taste as crisp. For Americana musician Chris Knight, that is most certainly not the case. When Knight released The Trailer Tapes, solo acoustic demo tracks he laid out in 1996 before he […]