We were a bit worried where Axl Rose had disappeared for the last few months, since the release of Guns ‘n’ Roses’ highly-anticipated and equally disappointing Chinese Democracy, but it’s nice to hear the big man is safe and sound. Not that most of us care where his overly sarcastic ass might be, just that, I guess, people kinda miss his controversial being. Anyway, I don’t know how, but Billboard just managed to talk him…
I’m not sure there’s a modern rock band more steeped in the history of rock n’ roll than the Drive-By Truckers. Band leader Patterson Hood is the son of David Hood, a key figure in the old Muscle Shoals music scene; they were the backing band for the forgotten queen of soul, Bettye Lavette’s Scene of the Crime album; and their last album, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, featured Spooner Oldham (who is being inducted into…
In what’s potentially the greatest news you will ever hear, Spinal Tap are set to make a long-awaited return to the studio to put together a new album. The album – their first since 1992 – has been confirmed as in the works by bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) during an appearance on BBC radio, and will “be for download as well as on conventional media later this year.” The much-vaunted, legendary band – who…
Most rock n’ roll tour documentaries are fairly painful to endure, if we’re to be honest with ourselves, full of self-important man-children who think their philosophies on life, music and the laydeez are compelling viewing, and oh-so-artistic shots of the artists coming off stage (invariably with a towel wrapped around their head or neck) and collapsing into a chair. Rock stars are, generally, not people you want to spend a lot of time around. An…
Chris Cornell certainly has plenty to be screaming about today – his upcoming, Timbaland-produced record leaked yesterday, giving the entire internet a chance to experience the end product of this unusual and much-maligned collaboration. In a completely unrelated turn of events, we can offer a preview of some tracks you might not have heard previously. We all know Long Gone, Ground Zero and Part of Me were breaking new ground for Cornell, even if they…
Ocean Street sound has been described as a “melodic collision of Southern-Soul and Songwriter-Rock” despite their honest sound that dismises any labeling. Not exactly a brand-new-smoking-hot outfit, the members of Ocean Street have been cutting their teeth for a long time in places like Tallahassee, Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Nashville and the shores of Panama City Beach. I can picture this band performing any beach town in the world but, more than that, I can feel…
I’m European, so, like most fellow inhabitants of the old continent, I have little to nothing in common with American Football (soccer – now that’s a gentleman’s game), but the Super Bowl is something I grant myself watching from time to time. This Super Bowl, however, I skipped and I kinda regret it now. Make no mistake, not for game, but rather for Bruce Springsteen’s epic performance during half-time. The Boss just owned from multiple…
Another month, another week, another round of new music. Some returning artists, some debuting artists, more bellow. The Fray made sensations when their notoriously successful debut album, “How to Save A Life,” came out a few years back and broke all the charts with their hit single. Now, the band is back with its sophomore self-titled album, which, at first glance, kinda disappoints. The piano-rock is still there, but the cheesy Coldplay-esque masquerade is a…
If you enjoyed Arcade Fire’s Burning Bridges from a few weeks ago, here’s another new/rare song from the band. “Lenin” (originally titled “When Lenin Was Little”) was recorded for the increasingly awesome indie compilation Dark Was The Night, that also includes songs from the likes of Bon Iver, My Morning Jacket, Beirut, Sulfjan Stevens, The National and more other popular indie acts. Lenin, although far from a stand out Arcade Fire track, is quite fun,…
Doubtlessly, the first thought that comes to mind when you hear the ethereal sounds of a Sigur Rós song is, “Ooh, that’s pretty – I wish I had some current events to digest as I listen.” Or, perhaps you find yourself reading the newspaper, scared witless thanks to the apocalyptic forecasts of war, disease and global warming, and find yourself in need of some floatingly beautiful, orchestral Icelandic rock to soothe your frayed nerves. More…
Tibi Puiu
Al Byrne
Vitor Cunha