You will never hear anyone accuse Neko Case of “phoning it in.” She’s the kind of singer about whom there’s no doubt that she’s passionate about her craft, belting out a modern combination of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. The alt-country chanteuse returned here from a three-year break, and continuedRead More

There are certain names that signify quality in a musical release, and there’s a bunch gathered on McCoy Tyner’s ‘Guitars.’

Ah, yes, another dreary offering from Tool-screamer Maynard James Keenan’s boring other band. They started out with a promising first album, Mer de Noms, then followed it up with the tedious and monotonous Thirteenth Step and returned in ’04 with that staple of washed-up bands: the covers-album. What do theyRead More

Dream Theater has become an iffy proposition for me. I still take my chances on them with each release, hoping that I’ll find a diamond like I did with 2007’s excellent Systematic Chaos — and not get another lump of coal like Octavarium. Chances are better with a live release,Read More

I first heard (and heard of) Lily Allen on “Saturday Night Live.” It used to be that I’d watch that show just for the musical guests. In recent years, that part of the show (OK, the whole show) has been way more spotty. So out comes this Lily Allen. FlowerRead More

I can’t help it, but I cringe when hearing that a musician has had their first child. We know what’s coming. The new album where the happy new parental unit goes all gooey about this new life and how wonderful it all is. Holy crap, that sounds cynical. Ahem …Read More

Even though I have been burned many times in the past, I still tend to take chances on projects on John Zorn’s Tzadik label. I tend to steer away from his pure-noise exploration, as I simply don’t have the appreciation for it that I wish I did, but I have,Read More

A jazz quartet plus steel guitar as lead instrument. This might sound like a novelty record but instead it’s Emmons playing his heart out on a program of standards and originals (the opening “Bluemmons” is killer). Very cool to hear the steel guitar trading fours with the sax. The unisonRead More

Maybe it’s a “sophomore slump” of sorts to some — despite this being their third album — since their big break came with the film “Garden State” just after 2003’s Chutes Too Narrow was all the rage. Will they really change your life? I think a lot of people thoughtRead More

I’ve only seen Tom Waits in a live setting once. It was surreal. It was exhilarating – just like this record.