A review of Calexico’s Carried to Dust (2008) And while I’m busy clearing the backlog of “CDs I must mention on my blog,” here’s a definite contender for 2008 Record of the Year. Calexico is an Arizona-based outfit that makes … [read more]
A review of Lambchop’s OH (Ohio) (2008) Despite the recording industry’s continuing contraction (not unlike the financial system’s), the world is full of beautiful music that’s worth hearing. One result of the long tail economy has been that there’s so … [read more]
A review of Ben Harper’s Lifeline (2007) Ben Harper plays a stylish blend of rock, reggae and old-style r’n’b, like a subtler, less flashy version of Lenny Kravitz. These are well-crafted, well-rehearsed songs, recorded in just seven days in a … [read more]
Bryan Ferry is a classic crooner in the same sense that Frank Sinatra was – he can sing anything and imbue it with his own style, interpreting it meaningfully and casting it in a new light. Starting in the 70s, … [read more]
It’s odd – sometimes there’s an artist who, despite my best efforts to take an inclusive view, slips through my fingers for years. I may know about them but – for whatever reason – I’ve never really listened to them. … [read more]
I love this band. They’ve gone through many changes over the years, but there’s always something musical and inspiring to discover in their records. I’ve never seen them play live, but their 2005 live album, Alive and Wired, suggests they’re … [read more]
Mirrors on the ceiling | Pink champagne on ice | And she said, “We are all just prisoners here, of our own device.” This is a confession of sorts. I really like the Eagles. I know I’m not supposed to. … [read more]
So I think this is my first album of the year (not that ‘albums of the year’ mean anything around here). But Sons & Daughters‘ new record, This Gift, really resonates with me – and did so right out of … [read more]