In my mind, there is no denying that The Grateful Dead is a classic, iconic American band. In my opinion, the Dead represented a true alternative to mainstream rock of the 60’s and 70’s and were in the forefront of blending rock, country, funk and even jazz into a concoction that few people knew what […]
Southside Johnny, Hearts of Stone under a Grapefruit Moon
Some 30 years ago, when Springsteen released his seminal Darkness on the Edge of Town, John Lyon, better known as Southside Johnny did the same with his Hearts of Stone. Though the album didn’t sell all that well at the time years later Rolling Stone magazine would vote it as one of the best albums […]
Tom Morello, The Fabled City
“The Fabled City†is Tom Morello’s second solo outing as the Nightwatchman. Though Morello admittedly performed a lot of these songs “amidst the tear gas attacks at the G8 protest,†there is, again, little common ground between this solo album and his work with Rage Against the Machine. Though in both projects Morello presents himself […]
New Music from Matthew Ryan
Matthew Ryan was kind enough to forward this astonishing new song, Some Streets Lead Nowhere.” It is an astonishing performance that highlights his ability to wrap emotional intensity in delicate arrangements. Equally impressive is Ryan’s essay about the song’s original and meaning, provided below. You can download “Some Streets Lead Nowhere” via iTunes. Matthew Ryan, […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Aug/Sept 2008, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Sunshine Lies, by Matthew Sweet “’cause we’re already good and we’re already evil, unfazed by a world of constant upheaval,” sings Matthew Sweet on “Let’s Love” from his latest release. It’s a moment that carries meaning beyond the song’s intended topic. In the nearly fifteen years since Sweet’s seminal Girlfriend, the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for July 2008, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Stay Positive, by The Hold Steady When Craig Finn preaches, “our psalms are sing-along songs,” in the opening track of their latest release, he might as well have revealed the band’s musical mission. Whereas previous albums have focused on the characters living in Finn’s imagination, this go-around spotlights the rock anthems […]
The Swingin’ Medallions
I first became familiar with the Swingin’ Medallions when I bought the Rhino Nuggets boxed set, a continuation of the infamous ’75 double LP with liner notes by Lenny Kaye, guitar player for the Patti Smith group. The box was filled with one-hit wonders and obscure R&R trail blazers I had never heard off. Though […]
3827Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Saving Grace, by Scott Kempner Long-time Dictator and former Del-Lord Kempner steps out for only his second solo album of a nearly 35 year career. The first thing you’ll notice is the musical efficiency throughout the album. Kempner clearly understands that restraint can often unearth a stronger power within the song. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Living in the Aftermath, by Chris Mills Brooklyn-by-way-of-Chicago musician Chris Mills is a pop classicist. Spend time with Aftermath and you’ll hear a guy well versed in retro-1960’s pop but with a proper contemporary attitude. His latest release takes the production richness of his 2005 orchestra-backed “The Wall to Wall Sessions” […]
The Real Return of Matthew Sweet
About 18 months ago I wrote an optimistic piece about the potential return of 1990’s power pop master Matthew Sweet. weet had recently posted a a medley of new songs being considered for the album, all rich with the boisterous guitars and pop melodies that made 1991’s Girlfriend so magnificent. Fast-forward, or slow-forward as the […]