Hailing from the far-off land of Poughkeepsie, where I once hurled in a Mickey D’s parking lot, The Color Wheels are a husband and wife due who make sweet and precise lo-fi power pop. They have a real “local band” sound, but in these days of global internet fame, we all get to join the [...]

1. Philosophy! 2. Free shit! The great Kristen Hersh, of Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave, has a free music page with a tip jar. What a great idea! Go there toss her a couple bucks for the 50 Foot Wave EP–you can even get in FLAC format! 3. Cutting edge hip hop! Spine Magazine [...]

From Epic/Legacy, Stevie Ray’s Solos, Sessions, and Encores shows one of the world’s greatest guitarists teaming up with B.B. King, Albert King, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Copeland, and Albert Collins, on scorching rare cuts such as “On The Run,” “Texas Flood,” “You Can Have My Husband,” “Oreo Cookie Blues,” and many more. Even the David Bowie [...]

From PR Inside: KANYE WEST has revealed his chart battle with rap rival 50 CENT was a publicity stunt he dreamed up to sell records. The pair went head to head in September (07) when both their albums were released on the same day. West won after a frenzied media battle he now claims he [...]

Not much of a need for words here. I’m putting up some live cuts by !!!. Why? Maybe as a consolation prize. I’ve started working on my best of the year list, and I just don’t see this year’s !!! album making it. I like the record, but it’s just not gonna beat out the [...]

Remember the awesomeness that was Nick Lowe, circa 1979? The blazing riffs and sheer muscle of Dave Edmunds? The pop-with-attitude of Elvis Costello, before he became an old-man-singing-slow-classical-doldrummy-bore? Well, if you look back on those days with happy nostalgia, I’ve got a band to recommend. No, scratch that. I’ve got a band that I insist [...]

I loves me some eel. Whether it’s unagi nigiri or wrapped up in some cool little rice rolls, or playing on my stereo with all its unforced, ironic brilliance. 1. Sweet Home Alabama. This one is way too short, but it’s cool to hear it on the piano. Makes me think of Warren Zevon. 2. [...]

I’ve blogged on this album a few times already, but that was all about the distribution concept and not about the content. Upstate N.Y.’s Saul Williams, best known for his impressive role in the 1998 film “Slam,” chose to give his latest release away, just like Radiohead. Record execs, you may recall, scoffed at Radiohead’s [...]

Another great giveaway! A great CD from West Indian Girl (“4th and Wall”-reviewed here) and a great T-Shirt from Tank Theory. For those who don’t remember what I wrote about West Indian Girl, and are too lazy to link back to it, you can sample it here. “To Die In LA“ So, how do you [...]

Don’t forget to go here, gimme a list of you favorite covers of this Century (so far), and get a chance to win some Johnny Cash DVDs (among other prizes). 1. Let’s Dance-Smashing Pumpkins 2. Moonage Daydream-White Stripes 3. Heroes-Yo La Tengo 4. The Man Who Sold the World-Alejandro Escovedo 5. Moonage Daydream-Of Montreal 6. [...]