I’ve never really been inculcated into the cult of Fountains of Wayne, but this compilation is a good view into the band (even if none of these tracks have been on one of their proper releases). The band has really maintained a coherent and distinctive sound over the last decade, as the only thing that really divides tracks from the beginning of their career (such as Janice’s Party) with the…
Dynamic production duo, J-Radical and Kool Kojak-AKA Urban Legend-is back on the scene with Tropical Techniques-the follow-up to their critically-acclaimed debut, Tranqulidad Cubana-the aftermath of a dizzying trip to Havana, and numerous red-eyed recording sessions lasting until the break of dawn. The debut EP earned 4 CMJ Top 5 hits with countless spins on tastemaker radio, including KCRW and KPFK. But who the f*** is Urban Legend? THE GENESIS OF…
Cruel Hand is excited to announce a three week long East Coast tour with Trapped Under Ice and Forfeit. The tour kicks off in Syracuse on New Years Day, and takes the band down the coast and back until the middle of January, serving as a perfect start to 2010. Cruel Hand’s sophomore full-length, Prying Eyes, was released in October 2008, and grabbed the attention of the press with Punknews…
It is a little hard to get into the type of music that For Those Lost start off “This is Our Fight†with. The first track is “I Smile At Your Terrorâ€, and it blends a very straight forward type of hardcore music with a set of guitar that would work better with either a sludge metal or a seventies metal band. The type of music that ultimately issues forth…
In the fall of 2007, around Apse’s 8th year as a band, Michael Gundlach and founding member Bobby relocated to the quiet shores of outer Cape Cod, Massachusetts and began living in virtual isolation. A few months into the move and for various reasons the 2 brooklyn based members of the band were no longer in the picture, leaving only Bobby, Michael and their faithful touring bass player / contributing…
Comedy visionaries Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong announce their 2010 North American Tour, Cheech & Chong: Get It Legal, partnering with the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) to promote policy change through laughter. The Live Nation-produced tour will kick off on January 16, 2010 in Boulder, Colorado at the Macky Auditorium. Tickets for this must-see comedy tour of the year go on sale in select markets beginning at 4:20 p.m. on…
After so many years of reviewing more popularly-oriented music, it seems as if a few more classical and jazz-oriented releases have been coming my way. It is a never a problem to review any of these, but I find myself more often without words than during any other review I’ve written. Still, Anat Fort is an Israeli-born pianist, and this marks the 8th year since the release of eir first…
In this very special concert, Jim will introduce fans to Beautiful World plus a few of his favorite holiday songs from classic to contemporary. Jim’s evening of dazzling solo piano, vibrant vocals plus warmth and humor with very special guests. Jim promises that upcoming tour dates will showcase some brand-new music blended with some fan favorites. “I know you’ll enjoy hearing all the hits, new songs that I know will…
Slayer. Megadeth. Two names synonymous with fierce, crunching power. Two bands whose histories are inevitably intertwined in defining the thrash/metal genre. Individually, their respective prowess and accomplishments are impressive; but together, they’re brutal and unstoppable. Megadeth and Slayer will join forces to co-headline “American Carnage,” the most blistering, the most explosive, and the most eagerly-antcipated mega-tour of the winter – and you do not want to miss it. “American Carnage”…
Slated for a February release, The Motion Sick and Golden Bloom join forces to cover each other’s songs on an upcoming split 7 inch. Golden Bloom will cover The Motion Sick’s “30 Lives†which was featured in the video game, Dance Dance Revolution, while The Motion Sick will cover Golden Bloom’s “Doomsday Devicesâ€. Why the covers? The Motion Sick’s front man, Mike Epstein, states, “’Doomsday Devices’ is an obvious and…
The Format makes another strong step forward with the first track on this EP, “Janetâ€. The similarities to Rivers Cuomo and New Radicals are coupled with a solid bass line and a jangly guitar that will make residence in a listener’s brain for weeks. The inclusion of a synthesizer really imbues the track with a fullness that is unrivaled; everything just bursts in one’s ears, just like The Rocket Summer,…
Akron/Family will bring their transcendent, engaging live show to the Southern United States this February. Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free, the band’s 2009 LP triumph, continues to be Akron/Family’s bold new chapter in their always-evolving and ethralling sound. Akron/Family’s live spirit is best described by Time Out New York: This “everyone’s invited” attitude is the crux of Akron/Family’s performance philosophy, and it seems to work; word-of-mouth enthusiasm about its…
“The Right Time” is here and now…These are the words that drive award winning smooth jazz artist Rob Tardik. A 2010 Guitarist of the Year nominee for the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, his newest album, The Right Time, is a personal statement and glimpse into his life’s current musical direction, further showing the world his passion for life, music and the guitar. If you enjoy instrumental music then expect Rob’s…
Curiously enough how I was introduced to The Format first was through their first single, “The First Singleâ€. While I’m not sure examply if the title of that track is prescient or just bragging, the track mixes the best of the New Radicals, U2, Midnight Oil, and makes the track sound intensely familiar without being completely clichéd. The sound on “Interventions and Lullibies†is masterfully crafted, allowing for a perfect…
Boston-based ICHABOD is one of those “secret bands” that has been engulfing fans both live and on record for three previous full-lengths over the past decade; expanding musically on each release, and tapping into new territory – both on the road and on tape. The hard working, hard rocking, and more importantly hard to ignore quartet in the underground rock/stoner/cerebral musical scene – who are already heroes in widespread stoner…
Hot on the barrels of his sold out “Insania” red wine signature blend, Queensryche front man Geoff Tate has announced a new collaboration with Walla Walla, Washington-based Three Rivers Winery (www.threeriverswinery.com) for a white wine blend of the same name. The new “Insania” — an artfully balanced offering that shines with honeydew melon, pear and apricot — is a classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc (78%) and Semllion (22%) that will…
A heady concoction of ’60s and ’70s-tinged rock, twanging Americana, Brazilian pop, Philly soul and so much more, AM’s sophomore album, Future Sons & Daughters, will be released February 9, 2010 via Filter US Recordings. This release follows the L.A.-based artist’s acclaimed debut, Troubled Times, which was declared one of the “Best Albums of the Year,” by iTunes and earned him the title of “Best Singer Songwriter of The Year,”…
It is true that Forgive Durden starts off their “Wonderland†CD slowly, but after the first few minutes, individuals can see the beauty of the band. The band has a viewpoint that allows them to see the entire field; while individuals might clamor for an immediate gratification, Forgive Durden knows that they can do much more if they can build on structures. That is what they do with the first…
The band’s s/t EP is their first release in over two years, and finds the group expanding on their blend of technical punk and hardcore. Picking up where 2007’s Career Suicide left off, A Wilhelm Scream showcase their ability to shred on new cuts such as “Skid Rock†and “Bullet Proof Tiger,†while “Australias†and “Fun Time†are destined to become live favorites with big sing-along verses and choruses. With…
Taintstick, featuring radio host Jason Ellis and Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden, have released their video for the track “Monkeys Of War” online at www.myspace.com/metal. The track is the latest single from Taintstick’s debut album,””6lbs of Soundâ€, which debuted at #120 on the Billboard Top 200. Quite possibly the best thing to hit rock n’ roll since the Beatles, Taintstick is a once-in-a-generation explosion of heavy metal ecstasy. The band arouses…