Sat 18 Sep – Pavement, Jenny and Johnny

The title might be a hyperbole, but seeing Pavement, the band that defined high school for me (along with the Replacements), but broke up before I even know who they were, was the day I've waited for all year. And it did not disappoint at all, with Pavement delivering an epic, high energy 28 song set that touched on the vast majority of their albums, except for their final Terror Twilight which was barely represented. Their trendsetting debut Slanted & Enchanted was most represented, but the shaky lo fi of that…

Some bands and artists sell many records and have critical acclaim. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and U2 are all examples, among many others. Some have little critical acclaim but sell many records. Matchbox Twenty, Phil Collins, and Nickelback are all examples.
Some bands have critical acclaim and a devoted following, but little sales. Here are the three best in my opinion:

3). Big Star The recent, tragic death of lead singer/songwriter Alex Chilton at 59 made me appreciate this brilliant band even more. Started by Chilton in the early 70s after a brief spell as a hitmaker with The Box…

If you ever decide to pick songs to play at your wedding, these are not the best choices…
1). Under My Thumb This Stones classic is about a controlling woman who gets a taste of her own medicine when the man in the relationship controls her; she is now "a squirming dog who's just had her day". It's a telling (and creepy) song for either the bride (and especially) the groom to pick and is likely to cause wedding attenders to want to leave.
2). Every Breath You Take This song, seemingly about a guy stalking his ex-girlfriend "you belong…

Sat 11 Oct – TV on the Radio, The Dirtbombs

I cannot believe that I am writing the first review for this nearly three month old concert, as it was truly amazing. The Dirtbombs started right at 7:00. They were a bit too loud (but what do you expect with two drummers and two bassists) but they put on a raucous, raw rock and roll show that was a perfect way to start the evening. After finishing by 7:50, 40 or so minutes passed before TVOR came on stage, starting with an exquisite rendition of the slow building, melancholy soaked…

Here's a brief list of my favorites of the year, styled after the Grammys.
Best Song of the Year: Ghost Under Rocks
Best Record of the Year:Lover's Day
Best Rock Song by a Duo or Band: Slapped Actress
Best R&B/Soul Song: Golden Age
Best Acoustic/Folk Song: Librarian
Best New(ish) Artist: Ra Ra Riot
Best Pop Song: Pork and Beans
Best Rock Album:
Stay Positive
Album of The Year: Dear Science

Here Comes a Regular[track
I Want to Know Your Plans
Macy's Day Parade
Only In Dreams
Blues From Down Here
Two Headed Boy Part 2
Shoot The Singer
Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye
Kiss Me On The Bus
No One Else
Casimir Pulaski Day
Gravity Talks

So, this is a personal list; does anyone else have songs that remind them of autumn, either because they listened to them in the fall or the songs' mood/lyrics etc. evoke that time of year? I'd like to hear them

There are some albums that just sum up all the feeling that adolescents face. They could be silly and juvenile, frantic and haunting, nostalgic and longing, or depressing and confused. Here are the five best albums that for whatever reason bring to mind the teenage years, in my humble opinion of course.

5.) Take Off Your Pants and Jacket Blink 182 actually sounded like they were 15, even though they were in their mid 20s on this 2001 release. Tom Delongue's nasally angst ridden vocals mesh with amateurish but universal lyrics about dates, concerts and cynical feelings about Christmas. Key…

List top ten artists:
1.) The Replacements
2.) Pavement
3.) Bob Dylan
4.)The Who
5.) R.E.M.
6.)Sufjan Stevens
7.) The Beatles
8.) Red Hot Chili Peppers
9.) Radiohead
10.) Neutral Milk Hotel

1. What was the first song you ever heard by 6?
Chicago
2. What is your favorite album of 2?
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
3. What is your favourite lyric that 5 has sung?
"I'll take you over, there
I'll take you over, there
Aluminum, tastes like fear
Adrenaline, it pulls us near" complete with great backing vocals by Patti Smith

4. How many times have you seen…

There are just some songs that just emotionally resonate with us. Whether it has heartbreaking lyrics, a relatable subject or even just the way the lyrics are sung. Here's a personal list of 11 songs that move me every time I hear them.
(2nd Draft: Edited 11/16/07 7:41 PM)

11.)Mother John Lennon is one of my all time favorite singer/songwriters and he could sing "Happy Birthday" and I would be moved. But his first official solo album after the avant garde Two Virgins and The Wedding Album is on a whole other level. The rawness of the vocals and…

No band or solo artist is safe from the occasional bad song. Here's a list of the 10 Worst Songs Ever From a Good Artist (In My Humble Opinion)

10.)Promises As mean as it is to say, Eric Clapton is one of those musicians who became boring after they gave up drugs. Now, it's great that Clapton kicked his heroin habit, but musically, not so much. He hasn't made a truly classic album since Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. He recorded a series of MOR, tedious songs in the mid to late 70's. This is one of…