Drew MorganLet me tell you – this album is bizarre. REALLY bizarre. it’s a pop-opera based on a crazy novel about Atlantis from the late 1800s, with a style that mixes up hundreds of musical sub-genres in each song. Each individual element seems too far-fetched to enjoy, but when combined something wonderful and twisted is created. Speaking of the combined pieces, Pepe Deluxé describe themselves as “an inter-continental orchestra,” but the two “conductors” of this orchestra are…
Hot Streaming: “Love Interruption,” Jack White’s Newest Single
Jack White, former frontman of the garage-rock duo The White Stripes and current member of The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, has just unveiled the first single off his debut solo album Blunderbuss. The single, “Love Interruption,” is currently streaming at Third Man Records’ website, and will be released as a 7″ single February 7th. This leading single is a bluesy acoustic track, with a soft jazz organ and clarinet playing in the background. Jack…
Album Review: The Dead Milkmen, “The King In Yellow”
Everyone’s favorite obnoxious punk band is back, after only 16 years! That’s right, I’m talking about The Dead Milkmen, who have an all-new album recorded and ready to go. The Milkmen broke up in 1995, but got back together in 2008 after playing a few shows that went well for them. After composing new songs and touring for a few years, they began recording The King In Yellow in 2010, and released the hard copy…
Album Review: The Black Belles’ Self-Titled Debut
On first listen, The Black Belles’ debut is quite comfortable; it feels like an old standby. That might be because I’m a big fan of The White Stripes and The Dead Weather, two bands that have Jack White’s weird influence. After having been signed and produced by White, this band has his presence going for them as well. Everything Jack White touches is tinted with his unique style, although I’m definitely not complaining. In addition…
Album Review: Tom Waits, “Bad As Me”
Tom Waits’ newest album, Bad As Me, feels like a nice change from boring ol’ Rock & Roll. In fact, it’s everything but! As one goes from track to track, there’s soul, jazz, folk, some Spanish-sounding ballads, and more. Tom Waits has always been a versatile artist, and he sure shows it on his newest offering. Take the opening track, “Chicago.” It feels like the studio engineer hit “record” just a few seconds after the band…
Ska is Dead (Syke! It’s Awesome!)
I had the good fortune to see the ska-punk band Mustard Plug play in Toledo, OH recently, at Frankie’s Inner City. They’re a Grand Rapids, MI-based band, so it was odd for me – a Michigan resident – to see them out of state. One of the people I went with has seen them six times in the past, once only 30 minutes away from our podunk little town, so it felt a little foolish…
Honda Civic Tour 2011: Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance
The Honda Civic Tour has struck again – for the 10th year in a row, as a matter of fact! This year, the annual pop/punk/hip-hop/rock show is featuring the headlining acts Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance, with an ever-changing selection of supporting bands. When the show went rolling through Detroit, my concert-going city of choice, they brought along dance-punk-indie-pop duo Matt & Kim to warm up the crowd. Sadly, I wasn’t able to dance to…