Everyone's a Critic
For the fourth time in as many years, Milwaukee native Willy Porter returned to Acoustic Music San Diego and amazed and amused the receptive crowd. Touring in support of his How to Rob a Bank …
A song cycle, as I hear it, about an aspiring Jersey Girl — aspirant to Jersey City, at least, and Anything With Capital Letters Above All (Even If She Hasn't Thought That Through). She runs …
A lot of women like the Dragons — so many that even though I've staked out a prime spot, I regret running outside for a smoke — when I return, 10 minutes before show time, …
I'd like to think that everyone has moments of nearsightedness. That eases my chagrin at the knee-jerk wince evinced earlier this year when Crushed Stars were making waves with "99 Red Balloons." The wince was …
First, original LPD member Silverman came onstage to set up his modified keyboard and assorted, unidentifiable electrodevices. Cofounder Edward Ka-Spell joined him later with recent addition Erik. A buzzy speaker prompted a restart of show …
Between thick layers of glossy production, Kid Cudi delves into matters of the psyche untouched by mainstream rap. One can draw a comparison to Eminem's recent work in terms of rapping about drug addiction, but …
News out of Hollywood suggests that Tom Cruise is considering coming back for a Top Gun sequel. If that movie gets made, we'd all better hope it's nothing like the version Vince Vaughn and Kevin …
Home Video looks about to start. A film projects the sandstone of Horseshoe Canyon onto a sheet behind the stage — unusual imagery to introduce synthesized and guitar/drum amplification pumped so deep my blood cells …
From the moment she bounded onto the stage, KT Tunstall filled House of Blues with energy and thrilled the small crowd with stories and Drastic Fantastic music for about 90 minutes. She opened the set …
There are two worthy new versions of rock classics on Carlos Santana's latest compilation album: one is a tag-team take of Carlos on his soaring guitar and Rob Thomas on guest vocal, recapturing and possibly …
Six-time Grammy nominee and Concord recording artist, Nnenna Freelon brought her golden pipes to the Saville Theater at City College. Accompanying her was pianist Mike Garson (David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails) and locals …
On Elizabeth Cook's last album, Balls, she sang "Sometimes it takes balls/to be a woman" — the record's only good joke — and the Velvet Underground's "Sunday Morning," the record's only earworm melody, and it's …
After setting his axe down, Dirty Beaches' Alex Zhang Hungtai sticks a finger in his ear and wiggles it, blurting, "Fuck!" The feedback demons he's attempting to exorcise did little to deter paeans to empty …
Minnesota hip-hop duo Slug and Ant are back with a double EP of instrument-infused indie rap. On To All My Friends, Blood Makes The Blade Holy, Slug has become the Bruce Springsteen of the genre, …
So, we're walking around UCSD looking for the Loft in the airport-like Price Center and locate it tucked up among students tapping on laptops. Upon entering, the Loft continues the airport vibe, with an upscale …
of Montreal’s tenth studio album completes the third installment of an unofficial trilogy highlighting frontman Kevin Barnes's penchant for love, lust, loss, and all the sweat-soaked alleyways in-between. Enlisting producer Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Kanye …