Archive for January, 2013

Vinyl

Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob (2013)

Leave it to a pair of twins from Canada to provoke listeners in such joyful fashion. With Heartthrob, a contagious chunk of pure pop bliss, Tegan and Sara Quin have taken apart the apparatus You May Also Like: For Mickey Thomas, Starship’s “Sara” still holds haunting mysteries: ‘An audiophile song’Read More

Vinyl

‘It’s staying true to what made Kiss great’: Tommy Thayer defends decision to copy Ace Frehley

Tommy Thayer first appeared on a Kiss project in 1998, as a sideman on Psycho Circus. Yet, even when he officially took over as guitarist in 2002, Thayer stuck primarily to echoing founding member Ace Frehley You May Also Like: Kiss’ return-to-form Sonic Boom was anything but a guilty pleasureRead More

Vinyl

Jimmie Vaughan suffers heart attack before Mumbai show, will be off the road for a month

Jimmie Vaughan, co-founding guitarist of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, has suffered a heart attack and will be off the road for as long as a month. You May Also Like: Jimmie Vaughan reached back for ’50s-style cool on Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites

Vinyl

Steve Slagle – Evensong (2013)

Every time I’ve surveyed a Steve Slagle record, it’s always been in the context of the Stryker/Slagle Band. This ace alto and soprano saxophonist’s latest project Evensong is under his own name You May Also Like: Dave Stryker – Strykin’ Ahead (2017) Dave Stryker – Eight Track II (2016) DaveRead More

Vinyl

Stephen Lawrenson – Obscuriousity (2013)

Although the name of Stephen Lawrenson’s new album is certainly clever, let’s hope it doesn’t become an obscurity or curiosity — because songs this good deserve to be heard by everyone who appreciates first-class pop cuisine. You May Also Like: Yes, That’s Stephen Stills on One of the Bee Gees’Read More

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Depeche Mode, “Heaven” from Delta Machine (2013)

Dimly foreboding, funereal in the most intriguing of ways, Depeche Mode’s new single “Heaven” moves with a delicious deliberateness. It’s all atmosphere, all feel, completely enveloping. You May Also Like: Paul McCartney, “Take It Away” from Tug of War (1982): One Track Mind

Vinyl

Don Henley talks about possibility of another Eagles world tour, and his upcoming country album

Don Henley says the Eagles are in the early planning stages for a possible world tour — though “it very well could be our last.” He is also readying a new solo project, his first studio effort since 2000’s Inside Job. You May Also Like: Following no trends, the Eagles’Read More

SNL Skit's Impact on Blue Oyster Cult: 'Never Really Thought Much About the Cowbell'

SNL Skit’s Impact on Blue Oyster Cult: ‘Never Really Thought Much About the Cowbell’

All of a sudden, a song that hadn’t been a hit since way back in 1976 was hot again. So was Blue Oyster Cult.

Vinyl

A tragic update on ailing ex-Wings guitarist Henry McCullough: ‘He’s suffered some significant brain damage’

Guitarist Henry McCullough is unlikely to make a meaningful recovery after suffering a heart attack last November, says Denny Seiwell, his former bandmate with Paul McCartney and Wings in the early 1970s. You May Also Like: Henry McCullough dies; played guitar with Paul McCartney and Wings, Joe Cocker, Spooky ToothRead More

Vinyl

Richard Thompson – Electric (2013)

Richard Thompson amps up the dying-light rage that has always made for his best albums, while smartly avoiding the studio trickery that sometimes muted his gift during the Mitchell Froom years. You May Also Like: Linda and Richard Thompson, “The Great Valerio” (1974): One Track Mind