Shades of raw Buzzcocks in spirit and this distinguishable brand of Interpol-Strokes scenester amalgam in recurring riffs—adjusting their own description to account for the requisite self-romanticizing inherent in any young new band’s internal visions of their portrait—that’s Bad Cop more or less.The trio’s debut E.P. is grinded-down polish. Anarchy on synthetic drugs. High-gloss Stratocaster punk… Continue reading Bad Cop | Light on | New Music Review
Maybe I’ve grown jaded and all, but lately the gimmicks and ploys and artificial soul spewing from some of these up-and-comers in the ‘industry’ (loose interpretation) have been dancing on nothing short of exhausting. Too much self-awareness, far too little genuine appreciation for the necessary steps on the ladder to iconic reverence. Folks wanna be… Continue reading JJ Grey & Mofro | This River | New Music Review
It means “My Country”—Mon Pays, that is—to the native Malian, Vieux Farka Toure. According to the guitar virtuoso, the album is a tribute to his home, produced during a period of ethnic and religious strife that has brought unrest to the landlocked West African nation. The hope and zeal behind these songs is tangible.Mon Pays… Continue reading Vieux Farka Toure | Mon Pays | New Music Review
One obvious advantage to living in New York City is how spoiled we are musically. Every major musical act plays shows here, small acts you might not get the chance to see elsewhere, week long residencies, combinations of musicians you won’t ever see play together again. The sheer amount of great music any given night… Continue reading Kenny Endo & Hiromitsu Agatsuma | Japan Society | NY, NY | Review
Rage. Rest. Repeat. This was the motto printed on flyers around Boulder promoting Umphrey’s McGee upcoming Red Rocks show, and it was the one the band adhered to faithfully on Friday night. Mixing in a high-energy varied set list with their unique, dynamic musicianship, Umphrey’s proved why they are one of the best live bands,… Continue reading Umphrey's Brings The Thunder to Red Rocks
The Silent Comedy is no laughing matter. Set to release the six-track EP Friends Divide on June 10th, The Silent Comedy has been fermenting nicely in San Diego’s local bar scene. Their previous album Common Faults sold over 14,000 copies. They have been accumulating a cult-like following, impart due to their ruckus live performances which… Continue reading The Silent Comedy | Friends Divide | Review
To start, Camera Obscura introduces Desire Lines with a brief, sweeping overture (simply, “Intro”) that hints at the structured dreamscape to come—not that any future tracks on the record revisit the string arrangement procured here; I mean to say that this short, overwrought musical construct belies the band’s aspiration to sublime grandeur in obvious subtext.… Continue reading Camera Obscura | Desire Lines | New Music Review
I remember back a couple years ago I was spending New Year’s Eve at this little ski hill pub up in New Hampshire, and there was a live band heading up the evening from a corner stage. They were good too, playing your standard classic rock fare of the Stones, Petty, and the like. Every… Continue reading The 4onthefloor | Spirit of Minneapolis | Review
Singer-Songwriter Rachel Brown made her appearance in a weekly residency at the Darby in NYC last Thursday night and if you’re looking for a slam-dunk date spot idea, look no further. Never having been to the Darby before, I was very impressed at what I found: a chill, elegant spot with a modern, more youthful… Continue reading Rachel Brown | The Darby | New York, New York | Review
About 40 devoted fans stuck it out through two very mediocre bands to hear Filligar on a Tuesday night at Larimer Lounge. The rock quartet is made up of three blond brothers: Johnny, Teddy and Pete Mathias with their childhood friend Casey Gibson. They formed in Chicago in 2000, and have released 4 albums.They’ve been… Continue reading Filligar | Larimer Lounge | Denver, CO | Review
