review Archive
04 Aug 2010
Bootleg Bin: The 101ers feat. Joe Strummer: Cleopatra’s, December 20, 1975
“No Beatles or Rolling Stones in 1977!” Yeah, right. That famously provocative quote has been attributed to The Clash. And while it’s true that mid-70s punk in its various forms […]
03 Aug 2010
Album Review: Maple Mars – Galaxyland
Intelligent, well-produced powerpop generally draws its inspiration from a rather short list of influences. While the most mediocre powerpop tends to chase its own tail – serving up predigested, overly […]
02 Aug 2010
Album Review: the Orlons – The Wah-Watusi / South Street
Another in the current series of re-releases from the Cameo-Parkway vaults, this Orlons twofer The Wah-Watusi / South Street is a delight. More than simply a smooth R&B-pop vocal group, […]
30 Jul 2010
Album Review: Frank Royster – Innocence is Bliss
Since we’re such close friends, dear reader, I’ll reveal something about myself. I always get a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye when I watch Tom […]
29 Jul 2010
Concert Review: Paul McCartney – July 28 2010, Charlotte NC
Though I did my best not to, as the July 2010 Paul McCartney concert in Charlotte kicked off, I already had in my head a couple of ideas I thought […]
29 Jul 2010
Album Review: Los Lobos – Tin Can Trust
Chances are, if you only know one thing about Los Lobos, it’s that they’re a band of Mexican American heritage. If that’s all you know, 2010 is a great time […]
28 Jul 2010
Album Review: Various Artists – Soul Revival
For the reviewer, multi-artist compilations are a curious beast. How to measure them? What factors to consider, and how to weight them? Sometimes comps are a cash-in on a flavor-of-the-month […]
26 Jul 2010
Album Review: The Stone Foxes – Bears & Bulls
Among those who view the mid 1960s as something of a Golden Age for rock music, consideration of the period 1976-1989 is sometimes greeted with a grimace and a shrug. […]
23 Jul 2010
DVD Review: Paul McCartney Really Is Dead – The Last Testament of George Harrison
To the Irish author Brendan Behan goes the attribution of a quote which reads in part, “There is no such thing as bad publicity…” In light of the possible status […]
22 Jul 2010
Album Review: Deer Tick – The Black Dirt Sessions
The Black Dirt Sessions virtually defines the terms moody and atmospheric. With hints of everything from Americana (of the [Canadian] Band variety, as it so happens) to a dialed-back Roky […]