Jim James is up to his usual tricks on his second solo album, Eternally Even, and it’s just what humanity needs. The My Morning Jacket frontman looks to heal the world through his latest collection. …
November 18, 2016
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Stories by Matthew Craig Burke
Jim James — tackling violence and hatred with love and peace
Weyes Blood's spiritual wake-up call
Weyes Blood has created the perfect storm with Front Row Seat to Earth — a tropical storm, as there is a warmth coming from this harsh forecast that tears your guts out. Dancing piano leads …
October 14, 2016
The unpredictable Mild High Club
Skiptracing is a whiff of clear ’60s air, breathed out by Mild High Club. Their style is groovy psychedelia, with an indie sound that is soulful yet silly. The title and opening track peals with …
August 26, 2016
What is a bass player?
On night one of two evenings of sold-out shows consisting of four musicians comprising two bands, the Belly Up became a stage for dynamic duos. Warming up the crowd was the Irish acoustic guitar-and-drum bundle …
August 19, 2016
Radiohead: Dialed in at the Shrine
Shrine Auditorium has a gorgeous personality, a haunting elegance that paired well with Radiohead’s bipolar extravagance, as the English quintet performing 24 intimate songs to a sold-out crowd of 6300. The night looked like a …
August 11, 2016
Savages turn Observatory into a cauldron of punk-metal
What to say about Savages…these are some badass ladies. The English quartet is known for their fierce and eerie delivery. Atmospheric guitar feedback, constant rumbling of bass and drums, topped off by Jehnny Beth’s maniacal …
July 30, 2016
Buckethead — mad scientist of electric guitar
Without a live band, Buckethead kept the packed Music Box of hardcore fans salivating over his axe handling. A souped-up guitar capable of making you breakfast and doing the dishes, buzzed, ripped, soared, and dominated …
July 1, 2016
Claypool + Lennon = Delirium
The quirky darkness off Les Claypool (Primus) blended with the experimental flair of Sean Lennon creates the mind-altering experience of the Claypool Lennon Delirium — it sounds as if the Beatles and Pink Floyd had …
June 24, 2016
Impossible Kid worth the wait
The Impossible Kid hits harder than any other Aesop Rock record. The rapper adds to his vocabulary palate with the usual flow of intelligent well-executed rhymes, blowing any mainstream rapper out of the water. None …
June 10, 2016
The sloppy seduction of Parquet Courts
There is something awful and intriguing about Parquet Courts — they’re awful in the best way possible. They charm you with sloppy guitars, lazy vocals, and nonsensical lyrics, which drape the bands discography, and on …
April 30, 2016
Black Mountain rock
The Casbah is one of the few places in San Diego where you can pee next to rock stars and hang out with the band backstage, aka, the sidewalk. Vancouver band Black Mountain began their …
April 30, 2016
Yeasayer's latest like abstract art
Pink Floyd, is that you? “Daughters of Cain” eases you in to Yeasayer’s latest, with influences from Dark Side of the Moon. The echoing vocal harmonies and atmospheric gentleness morph into the jangling gypsy spirit …
April 15, 2016
Steven Wilson's back with 4 1/2
With over 30 years of relativity, Steven Wilson has become a household name in Progressive Rock world. Quality over quantity is irrelevant when it comes to this UK native because he offers both. Most known …
April 1, 2016
If you adore Savages, you might adore this
The sophomore album from London quartet Savages is a dark, powerful, estrogen-infused punk-rock experience. Opener “The Answer” sets the tone — “If you don’t love me, don’t love anybody.” As Jehnny Beth’s ghostly vocals trample …
February 12, 2016
Emotional Mugger makes for an unsettling, riveting experience
Emotional Mugger paints a picture of menacing clowns thrashing about in semi-trucks, a possible musical score to the demolition-derby video game Twisted Metal. Ty Segall inhabits a new persona on each record, and his latest …
January 29, 2016
Bowie's Blackstar closes the curtain
Ever so strange and always unique is David Bowie. After 26 genre-jumping albums spanning over nearly 50 years, the constant chameleon released his 27th and final album, Blackstar, which landed on his birthday, January 10, …
January 15, 2016
Ty Segall and the Muggers accost Belly Up
Ty Segall and the Muggers absolutely defiled the elegant Belly Up stage with a robotic sludge-rock display of psychedelia that they vomited into the crowd, causing a transfixed batch of humans to go haywire. Witnessing …
January 15, 2016
Silversun Pickups' electronic album
It’s been nine years since Silversun Pickups gained popularity with their guitar-layered single “Lazy Eye,” off of their debut record Carnavas. The band has drawn comparison to the Smashing Pumpkins, which is noticeable in their …
November 13, 2015
These are "Salad Days" for Mac DeMarco
Dipping down from the forgotten land of Canada, Mac DeMarco and his corky bandmates made an appearance at the Observatory North Park in support of DeMarco’s delightful “mini LP” Another One. Crowd-surfing, child-like banter, and …
October 30, 2015
Little change in the Dead Weather
The Dead Weather open up their third LP with "I Feel Love (Every Million Miles).” It’s a robotic but robust mixture of screeching vocals from Alison Mosshart (The Kills), and the repetitive rhythm from Jack …
October 2, 2015
Foals deliver London thunder on their latest
Foals have long departed the skeletal, math-rock sound that filled their 2008 debut Antidotes. On their latest release, the Oxford natives show maturity and growth, as What Went Down displays their current state; an abundance …
September 4, 2015
Dr. Dre is still in the game
You may wonder, What does a 50-year-old millionaire have to write and rap about? On his first album in 16 years, Compton, Dr. Dre realizes youth is behind him and doesn’t try to portray himself …
August 21, 2015
Another One by Mac DeMarco
Short and sweet is Mac Demarco’s Another One. Recorded in his New York apartment, you feel at home with melodic songwriting and romantic forget-me-nots. The eight-song “mini-LP” owns the typical joyful quirkiness of its predecessors, …
July 31, 2015
Tame Impala's new Currents
Back with John Lennon-esque vocals and dreamy, psychedelic overtones, Tame Impala returns with their third LP, Currents. The Australian natives have a knack for creating music that is both retro and remarkably modern and relevant. …
July 17, 2015
Sufjan Stevens on a neon platter
Sufjan Stevens made a rare appearance in San Diego in support of his seventh studio album, Carrie & Lowell. Playing the Copley Symphony Hall, a gothic-revival-style theater downtown, Stevens captivated the audience during his generous …
June 12, 2015