Ryan Adams. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Conor Oberst. Cory Branan. These are names that are thrown around a lot when you are talking about modern day singer-songwriters. What if I told you there may be someone not just like them, but better? Anthony DaCosta might just be. About 3 hours ago, my brother handed […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, A Video Companion #1
There was so much good stuff this go-around that the video companion will arrive in two parts. Up first is live footage from Chris Mills, James McMurtry, Bob Walkenhorst, Joe Pug and Hifi Handgrenades. Plus we’ve got videos from Paddy Casey and KaiserCartel. Rounding things out is Reckless Kelly with a special live cover of […]
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 […]
Albert Hammond Jr. + More, Releases 7/8
Albert Hammond, “101” from previous release ‘Yours to Keep’. ALBERT HAMMOND JR., Como Te Llama (RCA/RED) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) Better known as the rhythm guitarist of The Strokes, Albert Hammond, Jr. didn’t get nearly enough notice for his stellar 2006 release ‘Yours to Keep’ featuring a slammin’ single called ‘101’. Both […]
Handicapping the Songs of Summer
Now that summer has arrived we can begin handicapping the song that will dominate the airwaves this summer. What It Will Be: “Mercy” by Duffy You’ll be immediately captivated by the warmth and beauty of Duffy’s voice but the beat-heavy R&B swing, a bit reminiscent of Aretha Franklin’s “Freeway of Love,†is the secret weapon […]
Los Lonely Boys + More, Releases 7/1
Los Lonely Boys performing “My Way” (acoustic) on VH1. LOS LONELY BOYS, Forgiven (Epic) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) San Angelo’s own giants of Texican rock n’ roll, the Los Lonely Boys, release their third album consistent with the big sound that has helped make them famous. The Steve Jordan (John Mayer) produced […]
Josh Ritter Pops
Last week was a great one for shows here in Boston. Among the best was Josh Ritter and his band performing with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, the legendary home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ritter has always been a gracious performer but he was clearly moved by the moment. “This is such an […]
The Hold Steady Rockin’ the House!
The gauntlet has been thrown, my friends. I’m just back from seeing the Hold Steady kick off their global domination 2008 tour in support of their forthcoming album Stay Positive. What does it say when the title track – a song that isn’t even the lead single – whips the crowd into an unbridled frenzy? […]
A Few Words with Will Hoge, part 2
Economics 101 with Professor Hoge “It’s foolish to try to fight digital music,†exclaims Hoge, “it’s like horse carriages versus cars – quit trying to stop it!†Like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails among others, Hoge has been experimenting with music downloads as a means of exposing his music to new listeners. He wants people […]