CD Review: R. Garcia — Resurgens

R. Garcia Resurgens Nophi By Ellen Eldridge The thing to like most about Resurgens, after the swelling with pride of discovering another Atlanta-based gem subsides, is simply the outstanding complexity of the layers and variance among tracks. When I first listened, I jumped around through the tracks a bit. Others may also feel a bit […]

CD Review: Kevn Kinney & The Golden Palominos — A Good Country Mile

Kevn Kinney & The Golden Palominos A Good Country Mile Redeye Label By Ellen Eldridge The opening to “Never Gonna Change,” with its harmonica calling like a name in the wind, recalls Blind Melon until Kevn Kinney starts singing; at that point something that may sound like Drivin’ N Cryin’ cries out with the stylish […]

Live Review & Picture Book: Groove Stain, Pasadena, Beauregard at The Masquerade, January 6

Review and photos by Ellen Eldridge The resilient, Atlanta-based band Groove Stain played a packed show in The Masquerade’s Purgatory room Friday night. The show began a southeastern tour with Maryland-based Pasadena. The band’s loyal and fun-loving fans danced all the way up to the edge of stage so that trombonist Sam Szpendyk had to […]

The EARL Presents Carnivores on January 20 for its 7-Inch Series

By Ellen Eldridge On Friday January 20 Carnivores will play The EARL’s 7-inch release series where fans can come to hear Carnivores, The Coathangers, and Frank Boyles of Balkans for $5, and take home a limited color vinyl 7-inch. Caitlin Lang (keyboards) and Ross Politi (drums) of Carnivores said, “This is our first time releasing […]

Picture Book & Live Review: Staind, Man Made Machine at The Tabernacle, December 18

Review and photos by Ellen Eldridge Full gallery at the bottom of the post. Anyone who read my review of Staind knows that the new material returns to the earliest days of angst-driven rock. But even fans of Aaron Lewis’s solo country-style material enjoyed the rescheduled show at the Tabernacle on Sunday night. After opening with […]

CD Review: The Cure — Bestival

The Cure Bestival Sunday Best Recordings By Ellen Eldridge The immediate warmth of the bittersweet opening paragraph to “Plainsong” opens the two-CD set with, “‘I think it’s dark and it looks like rain,’ you said/’And the wind is blowing like it’s the end of the world,’ you said/’And it’s so cold it’s like the cold […]

CD Review: Korn — The Path of Totality

Korn The Path of Totality Roadrunner By Ellen Eldridge Korn came through Atlanta headlining for the Mayhem Festival in 2010, and again this fall to play Wild Bill’s. As soon as the opening track, “Chaos Lives in Everything,” started with its hi-hat beat and techno feel. Deeper into The Path of Totality the sound recalls […]

Live Review & Picture Book: Puscifer at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, November 30

Review and photos by Ellen Eldridge The key to success as a musician, over a period of a decade or more, lies in the need to constantly reinvent oneself. Everyone seated in the Cobb Energy Centre on Wednesday night understood the principles that Maynard James Keenan follows for his art, especially once his video montage […]

Picture Book & Live Review: Tori Amos at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, November 29

Review and photos by Ellen Eldridge Tori Amos spoke to me when I was 16. Not directly, but from the stage when another fan shouted, “I love you Tori!” Her return quip, “Where were you when I was 16?” instantly won me on her personality. Her persistent passion guided me through my own formative years, […]

CD Review: Nickelback — Here and Now

Nickelback Here and Now Roadrunner By Ellen Eldridge Nickelback surprises me with how controversial they’ve become lately. The protest against their scheduled Thanksgiving Day performance in Detroit seems far too overdramatic for what I always considered a pretty decent pop rock band. Front man Chad Kroeger and the rest of the band have not responded […]