Although AFI doesn’t have an official keyboardist, the instrument takes center stage on synth-rich single “Love Like Winter.” Hand claps and multitracked loops abound, giving it enough new-wave appeal to slip between A Flock of Seagulls and Missing Persons during ’80s night at the roller rink. A simmering chorus rides backing vocals pumped up […]
“American Idol” alumna Kimberely Locke has scored five hits on adult contemporary radio, including No. 1s “Jingle Bells” last December and “Up on the Housetop” a year before. Wisely, the new single from her upcoming sophomore project focuses on that core, albeit with enough of a contemporary edge to indulge her youthful profile — […]
It’s been a while, and UGK has a lot to say! Underground Kingz is a special 2 CD set! Not only that, folks celebrating UGK’s return are a veritable who’s who of the inner circle, and they lined up to lend their talents for UGK’s eighth. They include Three 6 Mafia, Lil Jon, Scarface, […]
There were some nights during his triumphant starring run as the villainous Gaston in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast when Donny Osmond’s mind was racing. No, he wasn’t trying to remember his next line; rather, he was thinking about the album he was in the process of recording. Backstage. In his […]
British soul singer and songwriter Joss Stone’s third album, “Introducing Joss Stone,” is an electrifying mix of warm vintage soul, ’70s-style R&B, Motown girl-group harmonies, and hip-hop grooves. The album is the one that Stone describes as “truly me. That’s why I’m calling it Introducing Joss Stone,” she says. “These are my words, and […]
As the title indicates, Mary Karlzen’s fifth album finds her covering a lot of territory–in terms of theme, memory, and musical expanse. On both the opening “For One Moment” and the closing “Stay Forever,” her vocal intimacy backed only by a solo piano makes her sound like a graduate of the Joni Mitchell school […]
Hayley’s third solo album is a very personal collection of classical arias, Irish and Maori folk songs - representing treasured people and places on her remarkable musical journey. Recorded in Dublin, Ireland, Hayley’s third solo album is a very personal collection of classical arias, Irish and Maori folk songs - representing treasured people and […]
On My Name Is Buddy, Ry Cooder revisits, in a new set of original material, the sound and feeling of the “dust bowl songs” he first explored more than three decades ago on such groundbreaking albums as his self-titled 1970 debut and 1971’s In The Purple Valley. In fact, he’s joined by old friends […]
Some bands like to thwart expectations, and Air is one of them. “Spacemaker,” the opening of Pocket Symphony, sounds like a cousin to their instrumental retro-lounge “La Femme D’Argent” from 1998’s Moon Safari, right down to the electric bass break in the middle. But this isn’t a return to their breakthrough sound. “Spacemaker” really […]
Five albums into Son Volt’s career–and a pair into the band’s rebirth following leader Jay Farrar’s several solo ventures–it’s time to bury the encumbering “alt-country” moniker that has dogged Farrar since his days in the genre-setting Uncle Tupelo. While the inexhaustible songwriter relied on guitars to drive 2005’s rock-heavy Okemah and the Melody of […]
As a songwriter and performer, Mary Chapin Carpenter has long since transcended the traditional notions of genre and style, finding widespread acclaim for her poetic, elegantly - observed compositions. The Calling, her first release for Zoë/Rounder, is the most topical album she’s made in her twenty-year career. While it unequivocally addresses issues both public […]
The thoroughly excellent sophomore release by the two best-looking members of Luna should make any fans who bemoaned that group’s demise happy as hell with its lovingly crafted cocktail hour visions. Back Numbers offers up perfect rainy day music on every graceful, laconic song. The album recalls the sophisticated, decadent sounds of Lee Hazlewood […]
Who but Nick Warren could be tapped for Global Underground’s landmark 30th release, a journey through downtempo trippiness, silky minimalism, and sparkly house, set against the backdrop of the City of Light? After all, the Bristol spinner had already been at the controls for no fewer than six GU releases, and his last outing […]
Though the esteemed guitarist hasn’t released an album since 1990–leaving his career as a recording and touring musician to study violinmaking–David Bromberg’s feel for folk and blues tradition and his encyclopedic command of it remain undiminished. This is a back-to-basics affair, just vocals and guitar, as Bromberg puts his own stamp on material from […]
