Atlanta guitarist Jacob Deaton began the year with a new album—his first one, in fact—and makes a good initial impression. These six songs, all Deaton’s, vary in tempo in mood but the common thread throughout them all is that they are crisp post-bop with simple melodies and advanced harmonies. ThisRead More

Music reviewing is famously described as “dancing about architecture” but dissecting Merbow’s noise music is more comparable to slicing water. For starters, the Japanese king of noise challenges and stretches the whole notion of what we call music. You May Also Like: Richard Pinhas, Tatsuya Yoshida & Merzbow – ProcessRead More

Previously known as Los Impalas, this Venezuela-based group eventually moved to Spain where they met with great success. The band’s discs, which encompassed a mix of different styles, were well received and are now relished by collectors throughout the world. In tune with the changing times, Los Impalas then switchedRead More

Much was said in response to the notion that Wrecking Ball was to be Bruce Springsteen’s “angriest” album. People seem to have in their heads a firm notion of what it means to be angry. You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E StreetRead More

Little surprise here, but nothing topped Adele last month. When you diss the consensus album of the year, people tend to take notice. Heh. February 2012 also saw the long-awaited arrival of Van Halen’s reunion album, and a new release from Paul McCartney — sparking a resurgence of interest inRead More

Deeply wounded by the way his hometown drowned in the wake of Katrina, Dr. John has spent the last few years railing against The Man. But he’s never sounded so focused, so full of both piss and vinegar. You May Also Like: The Black Keys Hit Upon the Right RootsyRead More

What struck me first about the Nick Moran Trio’s second album No Time Like Now were the instantly likable melodies and the righteous grooves. But listening to it closer reveals other reasons to like this record: the subtle tempo shifts (“Wishful Thinking”), a soul-jazz take on the blues that retainsRead More

First, I have to admit that I was never the biggest fan of this song. Or more accurately, I didn’t like it placed later in the live set. It seemed like the tempo dragged things down. There, I said it. You May Also Like: Jack Bruce and Robin Trower foundRead More

Those who played with Gary Moore remembered his furious ingenuity rather than his sad passing, as news broke this week that the legendary guitarist died a year ago from alcohol poisoning. Moore, who came to early fame as a member of Thin Lizzy, later established a celebrated career in theRead More

Stanley Clarke joins us to discuss how he became the first bassist to headline tours and craft gold-selling solo projects.