Month: January 2011

[Hype Hype Hooray] The War of the Critics: “May the best bloggers win”

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.  Right now we’re all fighting for our lives.… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] The War of the Critics: “May the best bloggers win”

[MP3] Mansions on the Moon: “This Is How We Walk on the Moon” (Arthur Russell cover)

I’ve been anxiously awaiting the day Ted Wendler (of Mansions on the Moon*) returned to my life, and it has finally happened. His newest recording, a cover of Arthur Russell‘s “This Is How We Walk on the Moon”, finds Wendler in tip-top form, with his unmistakable, breathtaking vocals. The acoustic guitar builds a nice foundation… Continue reading [MP3] Mansions on the Moon: “This Is How We Walk on the Moon” (Arthur Russell cover)

Ducktails’ Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics is beautifully built, easy to miss

The cover of Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics sort of says it all. We see a nondescript building beside some body of water on what could be a warm summer evening. Everything reflects in the calm waters, a still and serene picture seen through a washed out, hazy filter. At first glance the photo is of… Continue reading Ducktails’ Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics is beautifully built, easy to miss

Smith Westerns polish off their charm on Dye It Blonde

When Smith Westerns first jumped onto the scene two years ago, they were just a ragtag group of kids (all under 20 years old) making surprisingly mature Nuggets-era garage rock. The songs on their self-titled debut were full of spunk, energy and enough great hooks to make your head spin. Two years later, they’ve released… Continue reading Smith Westerns polish off their charm on Dye It Blonde

Ghost Heart

Ghost Heart is anything but. Passion oozes from every pore of this Michigan quartet’s sound. Experimental yet FUN, these guys actually remind me a bit of Knox Road favorite, Hands. Tribal beats and full ranging vocals dominate these long songs. And by long, I mean like, nothing less than five minutes. But it’s cool! The… Continue reading Ghost Heart

The Decemberists escape to the country on The King Is Dead

When I fired up this new Decemberists album for the first time I was blown away by how much it sounded like Tom Petty. That’s right, Tom Petty. Specifically, Tom Petty’s hit “You Don’t Know How It Feels.” During the course of those first strange 15 seconds of “Don’t Carry It All,” the opening track… Continue reading The Decemberists escape to the country on The King Is Dead

Tennis deliver the goods, show promise with Cape Dory

We all love the beach, don’t we? If you don’t, you can just go ahead and disregard this album completely and go on listening to your molten-earth heavy metal or whatever it is you listen to NOT at the beach. For the rest of you beach lovers, I have something special. A treat, if you… Continue reading Tennis deliver the goods, show promise with Cape Dory

Interview with Nicole Atkins

Three years ago, I caught a particularly memorable episode of The Late Show with Conan O’Brien. Yes, Coco told some jokes and interviewed Hulk Hogan, but it was pop noir artist Nicole Atkins who caught my attention with her performance of “Maybe Tonight,” the lead track from 2007’s critically acclaimed major label debut, Neptune City.… Continue reading Interview with Nicole Atkins