CD Review: The Low Anthem — Oh My God, Charlie Darwin; Playing with Blind Pilot at The EARL November 4

CD Review: The Low Anthem — Oh My God, Charlie Darwin; Playing with Blind Pilot at The EARL November 4

The Low AnthemOh My God, Charlie DarwinNonesuch By Al Kaufman The Low Anthem recorded Oh My God, Charlie Darwin in a log cabin in the middle of a harsh Rhode Island winter. And while it is bleak at times, it is also riveting, loud, and, best of all, never boring. In fact, it is downright […]

CD Review: Elise Witt — Valise

CD Review: Elise Witt — Valise

Elise WittValiseEMWorld Records By Al Kaufman Elise Witt is one of those local treasures that nobody knows about. The multi-linguist from Switzerland, who has called Atlanta home since 1977, has been a cultural ambassador to South Africa, China, Italy, Nicaragua and Switzerland, represented Georgia for the Kennedy Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration, has studied under Bobby […]

CD Review: The King Khan and BBQ Show — Invisible Girl; Playing Star Bar November 4

CD Review: The King Khan and BBQ Show — Invisible Girl; Playing Star Bar November 4

The King Khan and BBQ Show Invisible Girl In the Red Records By Bryan Aiken Once and current bandmates Arish Khan and Mark Sultan have made a rich and respected history of historically-accurate rock ‘n’ roll thuggery. Since their graduation from the '90s punk outfit The Spaceshits, the Canadian duo have reformed and refashioned into […]

CD Review: R.E.M. — Live at the Olympia

CD Review: R.E.M. — Live at the Olympia

R.E.M.Live at the OlympiaWarner Brothers By Al Kaufman For most people outside of Georgia, R.E.M. stopped being relevant around 1997, when drummer Bill Berry left the band. Also around that time, Michael Stipe's lyrics went from oblique imagery to blatant rants and whines. But even more importantly, R.E.M. stopped rocking and started droning, and each […]

CD Review: Matt Morris — When Everything Breaks Open

CD Review: Matt Morris — When Everything Breaks Open

Matt MorrisWhen Everything Breaks OpenTennman Records By Al Kaufman You can only hang in circles for so long before you release your inevitable CD. Matt Morris wrote five songs for Christina Aguilera's Stripped album, and has also had his songs recorded by heavy hitters like Kelly Clarkston, Reba McEntire, and good buddy Justin Timberlake. He […]

CD Review: The Flaming Lips — Embryonic

CD Review: The Flaming Lips — Embryonic

The Flaming LipsEmbryonicWarner Brothers By Al Kaufman There are two sets of Flaming Lips fans. There are the ones who went out and bought extra CD players so that they could play all four CDs of Zaireeka simultaneously, as they were meant to be played. And then there are those who like the band's just accessible enough […]

CD Review: Drummer — Feel Good Together; Playing The EARL, October 16

CD Review: Drummer — Feel Good Together; Playing The EARL, October 16

DrummerFeel Good TogetherAudio Eagle Records By Micah McLain Apparently not content to allow his Black Keys band mate to have all of the side-project related fun, Patrick Carney has joined forces with four other drummers from his native Ohio to form the aptly-titled Drummer. The percussion super group retreated to Carney's studio in North Akron […]

CD Review: Erin McKeown — Hundreds of Lions; Playing Eddie’s Attic October 28

CD Review: Erin McKeown — Hundreds of Lions; Playing Eddie’s Attic October 28

Erin McKeownHundreds of LionsRighteous Babe By Al Kaufman "You can't deny me my kingdom" asserts Erin McKeown on "You, Sailor," a hushed ballad that recalls early Suzanne Vega. And while the song deals in more of a maritime theme, one can't help think that the line serves as a metaphor for McKeown's musical career; as […]

CD Review: Lou Barlow — Goodnight Unknown

CD Review: Lou Barlow — Goodnight Unknown

Lou Barlow Goodnight Unknown Merge By Scott Roberts Don’t let the urgency of “Sharing,” the opening cut on Lou Barlow’s new solo CD Goodnight Unknown, fool you. This track’s incessant beat, provided by The Melvins’ drummer Dale Crover, and Barlow’s washed-out and tension-filled vocals may lead you to believe that you, my naïve listener, are […]

CD Review: Supercluster — Waves; Playing The EARL October 22

CD Review: Supercluster — Waves; Playing The EARL October 22

Supercluster Waves Studio Mouse Productions By Scott Roberts NOTES: In the world of astronomy, superclusters are large groups of smaller galaxy groups and are among the largest structures of the cosmos. In the world of music, Supercluster is a relatively new aggregation of Athens musicians who have just released their debut CD Waves, and with […]