Everyone's a Critic
Let’s assume he’s serious. Simplifies matters. And unlike his previous, Seeking Major Tom, this one has no well-known originals to brain-sprain yourself over. He’s by turns polemic, stumbling, provocative, gravely. You need his grit, too, …
Macaulay Culkin’s Pizza Underground turned out be exactly what everyone had expected — an over-hyped, under-talented group of friends who got stoned and took an inside joke (which should have worn off with the weed) …
A career retrospective of sorts, Elvin Bishop’s show at Belly Up Tavern was a reminder that Duane Allman and Dickey Betts had another Southern boy hot on their heels. Bishop’s intricate dual guitar harmonies (co-guitarist …
What happens when a notable ’90s post-rock band gets in a head-on collision with a pile of synthesizers, you ask? The album Rave Tapes, by Scottish mainstays Mogwai. The first release by the group since …
Recording as Sun Kil Moon, Mark Kozelek’s new album, Benji, walks a fine line between tear-jerk confessionals and R. Kelly–style stream-of-consciousness stories. The everyday recollections of “Ben’s My Friend” feel kind of like Kozelek’s own …
Never heard Tacocat before. First impressions of “Bridge to Hawaii”: (1) I’m getting impatient with the song’s two resounding opening guitar chords, cringing at the prospect of overdramatized, underwritten music...is there going to be a …
Pianist/composer Carla Bley, 77 years old now, knows outrage and energy; her early masterwork Escalator Over the Hill ends with repetition infinite — or at least, until the needle punches through the lock groove at …
In a nondescript church with high ceilings, listeners assume a wide variety of positions; some sit cross-legged on the floor and some lie on their backs, some close their eyes and some stare catatonically. Other …
Wondertwins James Mercer (the Shins) and Danger Mouse (recent producer of every band in the universe) have once again transformed into Broken Bells to deliver full-length number two to their eager listeners. Unfortunately, this one …
The Casbah’s 25th anniversary, celebrated throughout the month of January, featured some of San Diego’s best bands from years gone by, playing the way we remember them: a little too fast, a little too sloppy, …
This is Rosanne Cash's first collection of original material in eight years. The daughter of country-music royalty, Cash is done writing songs about her rebellious youth and her traumatic marriage to Rodney Crowell. Although she …
Thud! Thud! Monstrous footsteps echo throughout the room. “Oh no, can it be,” singer Eric Bloom’s voice quivers. “Rising out of the Pacific Ocean, he lurches his way toward San Diego!” The footsteps grow louder …
The Griffin was packed for Johnette Napolitano’s Friday night date. We arrived after the opening acts, so fans had their spots staked out — as usual, big and tall “gentlemen” stood up front. We saw …
California native Stephen Malkmus has added a deep-cut notch to his indie-rock belt with the release of Wig Out at Jagbags. Jagbags is SM’s sixth release with the Jicks and it reveals a certain comfort …
Hundreds of crust-punk enthusiasts showed up to Tijuana’s El Tigre bar for a night of total destruction. The bands DLT, New Breed, and Pornoestereos, from Tijuana and Mexicali, started the show before punk quartet Anti …
Hopefully Liam Gallagher wasn't serious when he claimed Beady Eye would be "bigger than Oasis." He must realize he’s pissing in the wind with that one. While their debut album was a decent collection of …