Music Blurbs, Vol. 22

Lamb of God
Formed in Richmond, Virginia, heavy metal band Lamb of God is most certainly not a religiously-themed group. Instead, the group fronted by vocalist Randy Blythe trades in a hard-charging brand of music that draws from groove and thrash sub-styles. Coming to the forefront of metal’s early 2000s resurgence, Lamb of God earned their first Gold record with 2004’s Ashes of the Wake. The group has racked up numerous accolades for their work, including recognition by the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, the Metalstorm Awards, Revolver Magazine Awards, and no less than five Grammy nominations. Over the decades, Lamb of God has maintained a stable lineup: Blythe, lead guitarist Mark Morton, rhythm guitarist Willie Adler and bassist John Campbell have all been with the group since 2001, drummer Art Cruz joined in 2020. The group was the subject of a well-received 2014 documentary film, As the Palaces Burn. Lamb of God released their 10^th studio album, Into Oblivion in March 2026.

DEVO
DEVO are that rarest of creatures: pop music artists who are also culture jammers. Look beyond the surface of the band’s sound and visuals, and discover an off-kilter and ironic perspective informed by serious art, social change and political unrest. So while DEVO scored hit singles with “Whip It” (No. 14 in 1980) and a cover of Lee Dorsey’s “Working in the Coal Mine” (charting in four countries) plus a succession of popular videos on MTV, there’s much, much more to the group from Akron, Ohio. DEVO was formed in 1973 by brothers Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh plus brothers Gerald (Jerry) and Bob Casale along with Alan Myers. From the start, the surreal troupe were pioneers, both in music and in the field of music video years before MTV began. The band’s wickedly deconstructed cover of the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” unleashed their deliberate madness upon an unsuspecting world. Nearly 60 years later, DEVO are most definitely not – as one of their best songs suggests – through being cool.

The Mother Hips
Formed in 1990 in Chico, California, The Mother Hips have resolutely charted their own unique musical path. Early releases showcased an indie-rock take on psychedelia, emphasizing a laid-back vibe that delivered rich emotional texture in a seemingly effortless, unhurried manner. Critics sometimes compared the band to overrated acts (Grateful Dead) and criminally underrated ones (Moby Grape). The truth lies somewhere in the middle, as The Mother Hips don’t draw overtly from the sound or character of any specific musical forebears. Shades of everything from rockabilly to funk to blues to power pop – all delivered with a Bay Area jam band aesthetic – show up in their original music. The band has been as prolific as it is eclectic, releasing more than a dozen studio albums and four live sets. The latest from The Mother Hips, 2024’s California Current simultaneously leans into a rootsy Americana vibe and an improvisational approach; those twin values provide an idea canvas for the band’s upbeat, sunny-disposition tunes.

Los Tigres Del Norte
San Jose, California-based Los Tigres del Norte are a major force in the Spanish-speaking musical world. Seven-time Grammy (and 12-time Latin Grammy) Award winners, the group has built and cultivated a loyal following. From a 1965 beginning in Sinaloa, where Jorge Hernández founded the group, Los Tigres del Norte has combined traditional Mexican musical textures with relatable and modern lyrics. The band’s distinctive corridos (narrative ballads) and romantic tales are showcased throughout its deep catalog, numbering more than 50 albums. The band’s lyrics don’t shy away from controversy: narcocorridos about the lives and exploits of figures like Pablo “El Jefe” Escobar have set the group apart from other modern-day norteño artists. And in 2024 the group’s members signed an open letter titled “Enough is Enough.” That letter – signed also by Paquita la del Barrio, Alejandro Fernández, Maná, Chiquis Rivera and 20-plus other Latin artists – took a strong stand against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s stridently anti-immigrant rhetoric. The prolific and beloved group’s latest release is a 2024 EP, Aquí Mando Yo.

The New Pornographers
While it’s quite common for jazz players to assemble in ad hoc ensembles, the concept of a supergroup is largely unique to the rock world. And while the most acclaimed supergroups – lineups featuring members who have already established their reputations elsewhere – Cream, CSN&Y, Led Zeppelin, ELP, Eagles, Asia – had their heydays decades ago, today’s musical landscape feature the New Pornographers. An assemblages of top singer-songwriters, the Canadian group boasts Neko Case, Carl (A.C.) Newman, Todd Fancey, Kathryn Calder and John Collins; each made their name as a soloist or key player in another indie rock band. Even the three auxiliary touring members (Nora O’Connor, Adam Schatz, Josh Wells) bring impressive pedigrees to the band. Right out of the gate with their 200 debut Mass Romantic, the band became a critics’ favorite with their brand of power pop-inflected tuneful rock. The New Pornographers released their tenth and latest album, The Former Site Of at the end of March.