Flaming Lips: Embryonic

By Dryw Keltz
October 30th, 2009

The title of the new Flaming Lips album, Embryonic, refers to how most of the songs were recorded during the very early stages of their creation. The result is an album which sounds completely foreign to what the band has been releasing since 1999’s The Soft Bulletin.

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Brass Trax

Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original

By Rick Sawyer
October 29th, 2009

Robin D.G. Kelley’s massive new biography Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original is first and foremost a demystification of the composer’s life. Kelley, who holds a chair at the University of Southern California, spent 14 years researching the book, and it’s the most comprehensive biography yet of its subject.

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Memory Bank

Hopelandic Rising

By Douglas Newman
October 28th, 2009

Everyone talks about a how a specific record changed their life. I can’t really say that about any one album, but there have been records that touched my core. One of them is Agaetis Byrjun by Sigur Ros.

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Album Review

R.E.M.: Live at the Olympia

By JBev
October 28th, 2009

R.E.M. revisits past glories with an inspired 39-song live set that features new material alongside some of the band’s deepest, most enduring album cuts from the ’80s.

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WEEK IN RELEASES

10-27-09: This Brings Us To a Black President

By Douglas Newman
October 27th, 2009

Featured picks include an R.E.M. live album that’ll put a smile on the faces of diehard fans of the venerable Athens quartet and a Fela Kuti double disc compilation that demands to be heard. Tune in and turn it up!

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X is the Y of Z

The Eric Clapton of Eating Donuts and Other Health Hazards

By Mark Peters
October 27th, 2009

Among the world’s diverse religious beliefs is the notion ERIC CLAPTON IS GOD. It’s hardly the wackiest idea, and it has more evidence behind it than most. Unlike Zeus and Wilt Chamberlain, Eric Clapton is as real as you or me, only considerably more awesome.

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Album Review

Polvo: In Prism

By Dryw Keltz
October 26th, 2009

Another year and another absolutely pristine reunion album from a seemingly left for dead 90’s alt-rock casualty. The band reborn this time is math-rock vets, Polvo.

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Album Review

The Swell Season: Strict Joy

By JBev
October 22nd, 2009

There are many ways for musical artists to break it big these days, but winning an Academy Award might be the most unorthodox of all. That’s the path that Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova took. The two hooked up to star in the indie film Once two years ago, and the rest is history.

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