Archive for January 21st, 2014

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Thumbscrew [Mary Halvorson / Michael Formanek / Tomas Fujiwara], “Cheap Knock Off” (2014)

Made up of three highly distinctive voices in the world of jazz and avant-garde music, Thumbscrew should probably collapse under the weight of its star power You May Also Like: Thumbscrew [Mary Halvorson, Michael Formanek + Tomas Fujiwara] – ‘The Anthony Braxton Project’ (2020) Thumbscrew – ‘Never Is Enough’ (2021)Read More

Vinyl

On Second Thought: Los Lonely Boys – Revelation (2014)

Today, the Texas blues rocking trio Los Lonely Boys release their latest studio effort Revelation. The three Garza brothers, hailing from San Angelo, Texas, first came to prominence with the release of their 2003 self-titled debut and 2004 hit single, “Heaven.” You May Also Like: Ozomatli to Host Benefit LiveRead More

Vinyl

Raoul Björkenheim / eCsTaSy – eCsTaSy (2014)

My first encounter with the dazzling whack jazz guitar wizardry of Raoul Björkenheim came via one of his many projects, the Norwegian-Finnish alliance power combo Scorch Trio (Luggumt, 2004). You May Also Like: Raoul Björkenheim / eCsTaSy – Doors Of Perception (2017) Mortality – ‘Mortality’ (2021) Björkenheim, Sopko, James, Laswell,Read More

Vinyl

The John Lurie National Orchestra – The Invention Of Animals (2014)

John Lurie is a musician, a composer, an accomplished painter, and an actor. For good measure, toss in raconteur and all-around Internet wise guy. You May Also Like: When John Frusciante Returned to Solo Work on ‘Shadows Collide With People’ Carl Weingarten – ‘The Simian River Collection 1980-2020’ (2023) WhyRead More

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Breakdown” (1976): Into the Great Wide Open

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Breakdown” (1976): Into the Great Wide Open

“Breakdown” is both Tom Petty’s first exceptional lyrical effort, and also his first really strong vocal performance.

Vinyl

Doug Wieselman – From Water (2014)

For non-musicians, the creative process can be something of a mystery. The composer has all of that training about melody, harmony, scales, time signatures, and chord progressions — and out of that the musical ideas are born…somehow. The truth is that while the process can indeed be opaque (sometimes evenRead More