Something Else!

Vinyl

Sam Luna – Under Construction (2013)

Dismissing Sam Luna’s music as simply folk, is really doing a disservice to it. Chicago-based Luna’s release, Under Construction, has many folk elements such as Luna’s evocative lyrics and strong melodic acoustic playing. You May Also Like: Pierce Edens via Heist TV: Shows I’ll Never Forget Chicago, “Get On This”Read More

Vinyl

Social Distortion’s Jonny Two Bags – Salvation Town (2014)

You might think you know Jonny Wickersham, if you’ve followed Social Distortion. Wickersham, better known as Jonny Two Bags, joined in 2000 after the passing of Dennis Danell You May Also Like: Jonny Lang – Signs (2017) John Wetton, Jonny Greenwood, Downes Braide Association + Others: Five for the RoadRead More

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "Goin' Ahead" (1980)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Goin’ Ahead” (1980)

80/81 concludes with Pat bringing it all together with acoustic guitars. For all of the different aspects of jazz (and “jazz folk”) on display on this record, there’s something about Metheny’s final song that really does feel like a true, integrated conclusion. Certainly all of these years of listening haveRead More

Vinyl

Lacuna Coil – Broken Crown Halo (2014)

After the more commercial hard rock approach on Karmacode in 2006 and the extremely poppy, but surprisingly enjoyable Shallow Life in 2009, Lacuna Coil returned to a bit darker sound for 2012’s Dark Adrenaline. The Italian rockers continue that trend on Broken Crown Halo. You May Also Like: Thrift StoreRead More

Vinyl

Matt Slocum – Black Elk’s Dream (2014)

Matt Slocum had only been in NYC for a couple of years when he debuted as a leader with the impressive Portraits (2010). You May Also Like: Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio – ‘Jet Black’ (2024)

Deep Beatles: "I Need You," from Help! (1965)

Deep Beatles: “I Need You,” from Help! (1965)

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to my last Deep Beatles column on “The Night Before,” this week shines the spotlight on another underrated Help! track: “I Need You,” an early George Harrison composition that still sounds haunting and airy. You May Also Like: The Beatles, “You’re Going to LoseRead More

Vinyl

On Second Thought: Jon Irabagon – It Takes All Kinds (2014)

If Foxy was a test of endurance, It Takes All Kinds is its continuation in the most expansive of senses. You May Also Like: Andrew Barker + Jon Irabagon Duo – ‘Anemone’ (2020) Mark Helias’ Open Loose – ‘The Third Proposition’ (2020)

Vinyl

Something Else! sneak peek: moe., “Blond Hair and Blue Eyes” from No Guts No Glory (2014)

Only a free-form improvisational group like moe. could start out with the aim of a barn-recorded acoustic album and somehow end up working with a producer who made his name in hip hop-circles. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Vinyl

The Friday Morning Listen: Material – Hallucination Engine (1981)

OK, so I read a (somewhat long-winded) review of the William S. Burroughs bio “Call Me Burroughs: A Life,” and dammit, it’s looking like I’ve got to place it on top of my to-be-read pile. Do I really need to dive into over 700 pages on the mad genius? TheRead More

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Arc Iris, “Whiskey Man” from Arc Iris (2014)

I hadn’t had the feeling for a long time: that crestfallen heaviness of learning that a band had broken up. It’s something that really used to hit me when I was a kid. Attachments to bands and their music were particularly powerful, and when a breakup was announced…it felt personal.Read More