review Archive
18 Jan 2013
Concert Review: The Machine, 10 Jan 2013 Asheville NC
My firsthand experience with tribute bands is quite limited; in general, the concept doesn’t do a lot for me. While there are quite a few acts touring (quite successfully, I […]
17 Jan 2013
Album Review: The Outlaws – Anthology (Live & Rare) 1973-1981
Southern rock is easily mocked: its notable qualities often include a reliance on three – count ’em, three – lead guitarists, a hopelessly macho worldview, and an unfortunate celebration of […]
16 Jan 2013
Capsule Reviews: January 2013, Part Two
Here’s another installment in my occasional series of capsule reviews, this time covering new releases by indie/self-released artists. My self-imposed limit for this particular exercise is 150 words on each […]
15 Jan 2013
Album Review: Dickie Goodman – Long Live the King
File this one under Guilty Pleasures. Back in the early 70s when I was a kid, the novelty records that Dickie Goodman put together were a cultural touchstone. A trash-culture […]
14 Jan 2013
Album Review: Various Artists – Who Are You
I’m cool with the concept of tribute albums. Hell, I play in a cover band, so I get it. Paying respect to a group or artist is a worthy goal, […]
10 Jan 2013
Capsule Reviews: January 2013, Part One
Here’s another installment in my occasional series of capsule reviews, this time covering new reissues and compilations. My self-imposed limit for this particular exercise is 150 words on each album. […]
09 Jan 2013
Album Review: A Fragile Tomorrow – Be Nice Be Careful
As baseball boffin / bowtied blowhard George Will likes to begin especially forceful pronouncements, “It is axiomatic.” What exactly is axiomatic in this case? That big-label backing does not always […]
04 Jan 2013
Book Review: 101 Essential Rock Records
I’m predisposed to like a work such as Jeff Gold‘s new book, 101 Essential Rock Records: The Golden Age of Vinyl from The Beatles to the Sex Pistols. Anything that […]
02 Jan 2013
Album Review: Cleaners from Venus – The Late District
On The Late District, Cleaners From Venus (the nom de pop of Martin Newell) depart ever-so-subtly from their winsome brand of pastoral, homespun pop. Newell dials back (but certainly doesn’t […]
20 Dec 2012
Album Review: Bert Jansch – Heartbreak
While American folk music has never had an especially deep resonance with me, the British Isles variant has long spoken to me somehow. There’s something about the European traditional flavor […]