After that, she moved into feminist and political writing, then professorship. Her music writing was mostly forgotten. She died in 2006. “Out of the Vinyl Deeps,” a collection of most of her columns from The New Yorker and other music writings, shines a light on a woman whose work helped invent the concept of a sociological […]
Stephen Carradini
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The Antlers — Burst Apart
This set of dreamy slow jamz from a trio of indie-fied white dudes starts with the bluntly titled “I Don’t Want Love” and ends with “Putting the Dog to Sleep”; in between, we’re treated to tunes named “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out” and “Hounds.” Peter Silberman’s got sex on the mind, but it […]
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Barry Manilow — 15 Minutes
1. The recording style and instrumentation of the folk-rock “15 Minutes” sounds straight out of the ‘80s, which, I suppose, so is Manilow. Kinda. 2. Vintage disco with Manilow semi-rapping. He hasn’t had to “Work the Room” in 30 years, so this just feels wrong. “Startin’ in sweet with a rockin’ beat / Show ‘em […]
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Suzanna Choffel — Steady Eye Shaky Bow
The tracks on “Steady Eye Shaky Bow” that catch attention have a sultry, dangerous vibe about them; the tracks that don’t work sound like average jazz standards. Choffel kicks off her latest album with “Archer,” from which the album takes its title. The jagged rhythms and herky-jerky propulsion of the verses are met by a […]
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Isis — Live I-V
The appeal of Isis (and their oft-associated similar, Neurosis) is that they brand themselves “thinking man’s metal.” Other than the occasional unclean vocal performance, this is effectively the world’s loudest post-rock: metal-heavy guitars infused with a sense of ascendant melody and ominous mood, arranged in slow-building slabs that crest in moments of maxed-out guitar bliss. […]
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Doc ’n’ roll
It’s not a joke; it’s how “Chevy Bricktown Showcase” got started. The mini-documentary series, which recently began its second season, features two local artists per episode playing tunes at Bricktown locations like RedPin Restaurant & Bowling Lounge, then interviewing each other. L.A.-based Tommy Smeltzer and Kevin Muir have been in and around film and music […]
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The Point Blank Band — Sad Songs and Whiskey
Whether it’s country or the Oasis-sounding pop of “I Need Something,” he keeps the listener firmly in place. “Breaking Promises” lets the fiddle player shine while delivering a wry, humorous tune about the trials of hard living: “Goodbye left brain cells / We’ve had some good times / Breakin’ promises one at a time.” The […]
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Pipe dreams
The American Guild of Organists’ Oklahoma City chapter is hosting a convention this week, and you’re invited. No, really! “It’s composed of professors at universities, organists at churches, people who play the organ for fun, and some who don’t even play and just like listening to organ music,” said Tim Marek, coordinator of the organization’s […]
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Saturday Sirens — Saturday Sirens
The city-based band he fronts is an excellent outfit versed in indie, punk, rock and pop, creating the perfect environment for his voice. Saturday Sirens writes songs strong enough to catch the ear, but not so strong that they steal the spotlight from the vocals. That’s the best of both worlds. “Christopher Walken” sees Anderson […]
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Moz’ def
Great news, guys! The Carolina Chocolate Drops are bringing their “Genuine Negro Jig” to Oklahoma as part of OK Mozart! Wait, what? “It’s more important than ever to remain culturally relevant and financially stable. We’re expanding to other genres and art forms,” said Shane Jewell, executive director of the annual OK Mozart International Music Festival. […]