CD Review: Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra – Theatre Is Evil, CD Release Tuesday, September 11th

Review by Ellen Eldridge A strong well-spoken woman with a curse word for a middle name stands out as a woman I want to love. I’ll admit that I never heard The Dresden Dolls; my first introduction to Amanda Palmer came from her cover of Nirvana’s “Polly,” and my intense curiosity grew out of the […]

CD Review: Matisyahu – Spark Seeker

By Ellen Eldridge The chanted beginning of Matisyahu signals a fresh and inspiring take on rock-reggae. The significance of the album title, Spark Seeker, presents itself in the line, “These lies have got me tired; I’m free-falling, I’m done stalling,” that references the idea that music made inspires despite the music maker’s own struggle for […]

CD Review: Everest — Ownerless

Everest Ownerless ATO Records By Al Kaufman Success in the rock world is a crap shoot. For every Coldplay and Linkin Park that make it big, there are thousands of bands that have more talent but never make it. Is Everest a great rock band? No, but they’re just as good as any of these […]

CD Review: The Bright Light Social Hour — New Year’s Live; Play Masquerade May 10th

The Bright Light Social Hour New Year’s Live self-release By Al Kaufman Austin, Texas has more than earned its reputation as The Live Music Capital of the World. So when a band takes an unprecedented six trophies from last year’s Austin Music Awards, they must be onto something. The fact is, Bright Light Social Hour […]

CD Review: jENNiNGS — Take It or Leave; Playing Smith’s Olde Bar, April 17

jENNiNGS Take It or Leave Emerging Artists Music By Al Kaufman Singer/songwriter/pianist Mary Jennings is pretentious. A singer cannot use such a capitally-challenged moniker and not be thought so. She only enhances that perception on her live album, Take It or Leave. She includes an intro on every song because, you know, it’s like, important […]

CD Review: Tumbledown House — Fables and Falsehoods; Play Twain’s, April 19

Tumbledown House Fables and Falsehoods Silent Coyote Music By Al Kaufman Welcome to the Roaring ’20s, in all its sexy, boozy, violent glory. Montana’s Tumbledown House are so fresh and exciting because they do old so well. Vocalist Gillian Howe and jazz guitarist Tyler Ryan Miller have surrounded themselves with all sorts of cool cats, […]

CD Review: Birdy — Birdy

Birdy Birdy Warner Brothers/14th Floor By Al Kaufman America is not the only country that makes huge stars out of televised music competitions. Birdy (whose real name, Jasmine van dem Bogaerde is a little more difficult to articulate) is a 15-year-old phenom from the UK who took the grand prize on Open Mike UK at […]

CD Review: Fanfarlo — Rooms Filled With Light; Playing Vinyl, March 10

Fanfarlo Rooms Filled with Light Atlantic Records By Al Kaufman The indie-pop world took notice when Fanfarlo released their debut, Reservoir, in 2009. Now, three years later, Fanfarlo has gone back about 30 years to create their new sound. In listening to Rooms Filled with Light, one would not be unreasonable to believe the band […]

CD Review: Heartless Bastards — Arrow; Playing The EARL, March 2

Heartless Bastards Arrow Partisan Records By Al Kaufman Heartless Bastards answer the all important question: What if Adele was backed by a Texas band? Erika Wennerstrom, the vocal storm behind the band, has penned 11 songs that show off all her abilities. The soulful “Marathon” is followed by the poppy “Parted Ways,” until the song […]