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Circles Around the Sun Meets Joe Russo – Peace Reprise : Listen
This song is a transporting exploration of space and time. It begins with a haywire but rhythmic cacophony of percussion and almost spooky keyboards that soon gives way to a steadily grooving guitar riff that feels like home. The song’s six and a half minutes ends all too quickly – can’t wait to see these CATS live and hear the rest of the EP. Listen and pre-order the upcoming EP…
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CRB’s New York run – the last American shows
I’ve written about the Chris Robinson Brotherhood many times before. I feel they’re one of the most unique bands I’ve ever heard, playing music like no one has ever made before, drawing inspiration from the Dead, Rolling Stones, the Byrds, and a whole lot of Bluesy stuff I’m only now becoming familiar with. I can’t believe this is it. About a month prior, the CRB announced that their spring/summer tour…
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Avi Vinocur
San Francisco’s Avi Vinocur is a prolific multi-instrumentalist who records with both his band Goodnight Texas, and under his own name and has played with everyone from Phil Lesh to Metallica. We caught up with him to learn a bit more about his process, Goodnight Texas’s whole shtick, and stories from the bay. MM: When and where did you start making music? AV: Well, I played piano as a small…
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Fruit Bats – Gold Past Life : Album Review
This review was initially published on a now-defunct review site, hence the odd formatting. Artist Name: Fruit Bats Album Name: Gold Past Life Standout Song: Mandy from Mohawk (Wherever You May Be) Deep Cut: Dream Would Breathe Five free-association words: summery, shimmering, nostalgic, enchanting, brilliant Feeling of album in one word: timeless What atmosphere suits this album best?: daytime drive to the beach, walking through the park pondering The ephemeral…
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Canción Franklin
I saw Canción at my favorite bar in the East Village a few years ago and was impressed and excited not just by his music, but his performance – it is really rare to see someone having as much fun on stage as he does. He’s really electrified when he’s playing, his whole body becomes animated. With a name like his (it’s real), it’s not surprising that nothing can stop…
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The Blank Tapes – Superbloom
This review was initially published on a now-defunct review site, hence the odd formatting. Artist Name: The Blank Tapes Album Name: Super Bloom Standout Song: Exotica Deep Cut: Sweat Lodge Five free-association words: Psychedelic but make it sunny Feeling of album in one word: extraterrestrial What atmosphere suits this album best?: of course, a sun-filled romp through a field of flowers, obviously.. home alone in front of the window with…
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Johnathan Rice – The Long Game : Album Review
The Long Game by Johnathan Rice I’m pleasantly surprised as I listen to the eponymous first track of “The Long Game,” Rice’s first album in six years. Those albums remain in my memory remnants of my indie pop teenagehood and as such, I hadn’t given them much airtime since then. On this record, Rice’s voice sounds better than ever – it’s sensual, strong, and at times reminiscent of other aughts-era…
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Steve Gunn – The Unseen In Between : Album Review
This review was initially published on a now-defunct review site, hence the odd formatting. Artist Name: Steve Gunn Album Name: The Unseen In Between Standout Song: Lightning Field Deep Cut: Paranoid Five free-association words: Stark, stripped, silvery, psychedelic, spiriting Feeling of album in one word: Hope Your Review (1000 characters max): I listened to this album the day I got some really bad news, which is why I chose “hope.”…
