CD Review: Seth Glier — The Next Right Thing; Playing Eddie’s Attic, February 22

CD Review: Seth Glier — The Next Right Thing; Playing Eddie’s Attic, February 22

Seth Glier The Next Right Thing MPress By Al Kaufman The late Chet Baker and Jeff Buckley had them. Rufus Wainright and KD Lang have them. We’re speaking of voices that transcend gender in their beauty. They are gorgeously androgynous voices that make you want to sleep with their owners regardless of your gender or […]

CD Review: Wild Nothing — Gemini

CD Review: Wild Nothing — Gemini

Wild Nothing Gemini Captured Tracks By Al Kaufman Jack Tatum, the man behind Wild Nothing, loves his anguished ’80s synth-pop. After disbanding his punk band, Facepaint, he made a bit of a splash as Wild Nothing covering Kate Bush’s “Cloudbursting.” On Gemini, he digs a little deeper and unearths the likes of New Order and […]

CD Review: Young the Giant — Young the Giant; Playing Vinyl, March 12

CD Review: Young the Giant — Young the Giant; Playing Vinyl, March 12

Young the Giant Young the Giant Roadrunner By Al Kaufman Young the Giant conjures up the melodic grandeur of The Killers in their prime. Although Sameer Gadhia’s vocals do not resonate with quite the same authority as those of Brandon Flowers’, there is no denying the band’s music is captivating and, at times, downright thrilling.

CD Review: The Dirty Guv’ners — Youth Is in Our Blood; Playing Smith’s Olde Bar, January 15

CD Review: The Dirty Guv’ners — Youth Is in Our Blood; Playing Smith’s Olde Bar, January 15

The Dirty Guv’ners Youth Is in Our Blood By Al Kaufman Most band members aren’t exactly known for their academic intelligence. Make it a bluesy, southern rock band and the odds are even greater. Make it a good southern rock band and it’s a pretty safe bet that Dirty Guv’ners is the only such band. […]

CD Review: My Chemical Romance — Danger Days; Playing The Tabernacle, May 11

CD Review: My Chemical Romance — Danger Days; Playing The Tabernacle, May 11

My Chemical Romance Danger Days: The True Lies of the Fabulous Killjoys Reprise By Al Kaufman It’s been four years and numerous personal problems since My Chemical Romance released their last studio CD, The Black Parade. During that time, My Chemical Romance have grown and matured. Guitarist Frank Iero said when the band started out […]

CD Review: Black Mountain — Wilderness Heart; Playing The EARL, November 12

CD Review: Black Mountain — Wilderness Heart; Playing The EARL, November 12

Black Mountain Wilderness Heart Jagjaguwar By Al Kaufman Seventies’ rock will never die. At least not as long as folks like Stephen McBean are around. McBean has dabbled in everything from folk-rock to noise (with bands Jerk with the Bomb and Pink Mountaintops, respectively), but seems to have found a home with classic rock. Wilderness […]

CD Review: Never Shout Never — Harmony; Playing Center Stage, November 9

CD Review: Never Shout Never — Harmony; Playing Center Stage, November 9

Never Shout Never Harmony Loveway/Sire By Al Kaufman Christofer Drew, the brains and talent behind Never Shout Never, is a good hippie. He writes lyrics like, “So trade your guns and fire with dove/We fight for love, and peace will find us with harmony.” He even supports the American Community Garden Association by inserting paper […]

CD Review: One EskimO — All Balloons; Play Smith’s Olde Bar, November 2

CD Review: One EskimO — All Balloons; Play Smith’s Olde Bar, November 2

One EskimO One EskimO Shangri-La By Al Kaufman There is more to One EskimO than their breakthrough single, “Kandi.” Sampling from Candi Staton’s “He Called Me Babe,” the song is reminiscent of Primitive Radio Gods’ “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand,” in which the B.B. King sample was better than […]