by Tom Johnson Field Music’s Measure slotted itself in squarely at the top of my 2010 year-end list, and for good reason. You May Also Like: Fortunato Isgro, “Keep Thinking Of You” (2015): One Track Mind

by Tom Johnson With The King Is Dead EP, The Decemberists add themselves to the small roster of bands who refused to “deluxify” their just-released albums in order to cash in on extra sales You May Also Like: Why Neutral Milk Hotel’s ‘In an Aeroplane Over the Sea’ Still VeryRead More

Who lost their mind here? U2, their manager, the label? Was it all of them at once?

Back then, all I wanted was for people to just stop talking about U2. Oh my God, they were everywhere.

by Tom Johnson One listen to Shara Worden’s voice and it should come as no surprise that she’s actually a trained singer, pulling off with ease the kinds of things most rock singers can only dream of attempting. Worden sounds just a bit operatic — but not so melodramatic, neverRead More

by Tom Johnson Every time Grant-Lee Phillips puts out an album this happens: it comes out, I love it, and then it just falls into my routine. Whatever it is about Grant-Lee Phillips, he somehow has the right gearing to mesh with the gearing of my life with nary aRead More

by Tom Johnson Still relevant? I have no idea. I’d guess the question that pops up in most people’s heads when they hear the name “Jane’s Addiction” You May Also Like: Steve Holtje, “Hunger Artist” from A Man Full of Days (2015): Something Else! sneak peek

by Tom Johnson After the disappointment I felt with 2005’s RockPaperScissors, I would never have expected a “remix” album of that material to not only stand on its own but be as strong as it was — nor be a favorite for the year 2007. And yet … BellCurve takesRead More

by Tom Johnson It took seven long years, but the moment I figured would arrive finally did: Tim Booth came to his senses and rejoined James. What is unfortunate is that in that time, it seemed that either the world forgot about James or James forgot about the world, becauseRead More

Bela Fleck seemed surprised at not only the turnout, which was the biggest he said they’d ever had in Phoenix, but also the enthusiasm of the audience.