The Shondes just announced their third album, Searchlights, will be released in the Fall. They apparently listened to a lot of Bruce Springsteen and Pat Benatar during the writing and recording process, so I can't wait to hear the results. Meanwhile, the band is offering the title track from their Lines & Hooks +3 EP [...]
Lágrimas Mexicanas is a grand and unusual collaboration between legendary guitarist Bill Frisell and Brazilian singer-songwriter Vinicius Cantuária. The sultry and atmospheric opener "Mi Declaración" sets the tone for this unique collection. The stunning title track is an intoxicating mix of Latin rhythms and jazz guitar with a splash of rock. Other highlights include the [...]
Singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik just released his new album, Covers 802s. Best known for his hit single "Barely Breathing" and his Tony-Award winning compositions for the musical Spring Awakening, Sheik here gives his own interpretations of synth-pop songs originally recorded by The Cure, New Order, Tears for Fears, The Smiths, Psychedelic Furs, The Thompson Twins, Love [...]
Last week's pick, Heather Nova's Oyster, is one of my all-time favorite albums. It is Heather Nova's masterpiece and I've never heard anything even remotely like it. In my review of Oyster two years ago, you can read the details of my discovery of the album and descriptions of the individual songs. As I said [...]
The new Company of Thieves album, Running From a Gamble, was released last month and I posted an mp3 from it back in in April. But I'd put my advance copy of the album aside since another writer offered to review it here. They never got around to it, so I finally gave it a [...]
Deep Dark Robot is a new band led by former 4 Non Blondes frontwoman turned producer Linda Perry. Deep Dark Robot's debut, 8 Songs About a Girl, was released in March on Perry's own Custard records and Perry describes the sound as "dirty French garage pop." I'd call the album a mostly magnificent, swaggering, howling [...]
Flogging Molly is my (Vic) favorite band, so I'm very jealous that Muruch's L.A. reviewer Laura Foxworthy had the privilege of seeing them perform live at The Music Box (at The Henry Fonda Theater, a 1920s movie house converted into a music venue) on June 6th. Laura's review of the concert follows... There are days [...]
I don't really consider myself a Pink Floyd fan since, despite listening to their songs on the radio, I very rarely choose to listen to their music on my own. But when I do take the time to listen to it, I remember that last week's selection, Dark Side of the Moon, is a great [...]
Delicate Cutters will release their sophomore album, Some Creatures, on July 19th. The Birmingham, Alabama quartet plays a warm and interesting mix of string-accented, folk-influenced indie-pop and rock. Lead singer-songwriter Janet Simpson's haunting voice and atmospheric melodies coupled with the album's intimate, low-fi recording style are reminiscent of Patti Smith's more melancholic side. The standout [...]
Muruch's L.A. reviewer Laura Foxworthy joined the crowd at the Satellite Club on May 28th for what was apparently a very evocative performance by Chicago's Scattered Trees. Laura's review of the concert follows... Vulnerability, melodic sadness and strength are the words I would choose to describe my night with Scattered Trees at the Satellite Club [...]
Friday Night Lights airs Friday nights on NBC at 8pm EST and everyone should be watching this brilliant drama. Despite the absence of beloved characters Jason Street (who made a brief cameo last week), Matt Sorenson and Landry Clark, this fifth and final season is Friday Night Lights' best year since its first. In some [...]
Ira & Abby is a delightful little film written, directed by and starring Jennifer Westfeldt (Kissing Jessica Stein) and Chris Messina (Julie & Julia) as a couple who rush into marriage and deal with the comedically awkward consequences. After getting dumped by his therapist, melancholy and introspective Ira Black (Messina) spontaneously wanders into a gym [...]
Last week's pick, Garbage's self-titled debut, is still a favorite. Led by red-haired Scottish siren and former Angelfish vocalist Shirley Manson, Garbage was what was called an "Alternative Rock" band when they first emerged on the scene. There's a misconception that "Alternative" was to the 90s what "Indie" is today, but '90s "Alternative" bands weren't [...]
Star Anna & The Laughing Dogs will release their new album, Alone In This Together, on June 7th. Star Anna's voice has a gritty power akin to Serena Ryder or Swati, but the band's sound is an alt-country influenced rock. The album will be released by Local 638 Records, run by Visqueen's Rachel Flotard, and [...]
Constantinople's new project, Early Dreams, revisits the Baroque era of seventeenth century Mexico. I was not familiar with Mexican Baroque music before, but it is truly a magnificent and unusual style that blends classical strings and pre-Flamenco Latin rhythms. On Early Dreams, Constantinople's persian setar, Baroque guitar, viola and various percussion instruments intertwine with bass [...]
Here's a pretty, wistful new tune by Spider (a.k.a. Jane Herships). "I'll go in your Boat" is much more buoyant than the sparse folk of Spider's previous releases, with an almost retro pop style to the arrangement. The song will be included on Spider's upcoming album, The Home Record. I'll go in your boat by [...]
Last week's selection, Pearl Jam's debut Ten, has certainly held up well over time. Even if it were just released this week, I would still be as impressed with its brillance. There's a strong undercurrent of blues and folk in the rock arrangements on Ten, something many of Pearl Jam's grunge contemporaries lacked. Singles like [...]
When Muruch's L.A. reviewer Laura covered The Black Angels concert at El Rey Theatre for us on May 15th, she took along her daughter, Julia. A freshman in college studying music history among other things, Julia has inherited her mother's enthusiasm for music as well as her writing talent. Julia's debut concert review for Muruch [...]
Elysian Fields will release their seventh full-length album, Last Night On Earth, on June 14th. It's their first U.S. release in a decade, which makes me pity the rest of America. If you're not familiar with the music of Elysian Fields, you've really been missing out. The sultry voice of lead singer Jennifer Charles (also [...]
Last week's selection, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, is widely accepted as a classic pop-rock album due to its plethora of hit singles: "Dreams," "Don't Stop," "Go Your Own Way," "The Chain," "You Make Loving Fun" and "Gold Dust Woman." But those only familiar with the band's commercial successes may be surprised to hear the delicate folk [...]
Muruch
The Shins: “September” (b-side of “Simple Song” 7”)
St. Vincent - 'Cheerleader'
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Ni**as In Paris (Explicit)
OK Go - Needing/Getting - Official Video
Ladyhawke - Black White & Blue
Watch: Trailer for Dave Grohl’s documentary, Sound City
R.I.P Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston dead at age 48
