Steve Cropper talks about key influences, and how a last-minute delivery charge almost derailed his legendary music career.

by Mark Saleski When R.E.M. toured on the Murmur record, they were the darlings of college radio. That’s certainly where I first heard them. “Radio Free Europe” and “Catapult” were getting a lot of airplay, and the band received some enthusiastic press reports You May Also Like: Why R.E.M.’s ‘LiveRead More

Fusion label Abstract Logix, which played host to the newly formed New Universe Festival last November in Raleigh, North Carolina, will issue a two-disc commemorative highlights package on July 19 You May Also Like: How ‘Stanley Clarke Band Featuring Hiromi’ Recalled a Funky Past

by Tom Johnson Cohen works a kind of outsider-art aesthetic in his unusual pop-songs. Like Dylan at his most uncomfortably nasal, this is not for everyone, but the rewards for patient, open-minded listeners are great. Cohen’s a bit of a mystery; finding information on this guy is pretty tough. He’sRead More

by Fred Phillips Karmakanic had me from the name of the band. You May Also Like: The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, “Fire” (1968): One Track Mind

by Mark Saleski Most people think of the mandolin as being a rootsy, countrified kind of instrument. Surely there is no denying the rich history of the bluegrass side of the mandolin. You May Also Like: Mike Baggetta, mike watt + Jim Keltner – ‘Everywhen We Go’ (2022) Tyler MitchellRead More

by Tom Johnson Can a band mature and continue to challenge themselves and listeners? Rather Ripped answers yes. Sonic Youth may not wail away with walls of squealing distortion like they used to but Rather Ripped‘s lyrical focus on relationship troubles is backed by their trademark angular pop that willRead More

John Wetton, in great voice, embraces a deeply hopeful twist on the old carpe diem on “The Last Night of My Life.”

by Mark Saleski Elliott Sharp does two things very well: construct very thought-provoking compositions and make scary, scary noise in the realization of those compositions. Larynx is a reissue from 1988. You know, the holiday season is in full swing. Maybe you need some music to block out the stress?Read More

Rick Stone picks more obvious standards elsewhere on his forthcoming release, Fractals. You May Also Like: No related posts.