Folk musician Ellis Paul has faced a lot of audiences over his two-decade career. His new foray into children’s music has him facing the toughest one yet. “It’s like painting with primary colors: no subtle shades,” he said. “You’ve got to get their attention quicker, use exciting language. It’s a lot more demanding. I really […]
music
Posted inMusic
James and Evander — Constellating EP + 2
In its stead, I’ve sought out other gentle electronica projects in hopes of filling my Gibbard/Tamborello-shaped hole. Most acts fall short by appropriating the sound, but not writing great pop songs to match. Enter James and Evander. On the surface, it seems to be everything I want in a Postal Service replacement: two dudes churning […]
Posted inMusic
The Ladybug Transistor — Clutching Stems
They adhere closely to what the band’s press dubs “formalist” structures, which is to say that the verse/chorus/verse format isn’t just used, but praised. The songs aren’t gimmicky, nor are they hip. They’re just really solid, enjoyable tunes. In that way, they’re pretty much the quintessential Merge band at the moment: Been around since the […]
Posted inMusic
Piñataland — Hymns for the Dreadful Night
The chamber pop of Piñataland’s “Hymns for the Dreadful Night” caught my attention immediately, as it is immaculately captured. “Island of Godless Men” is the best example of this. It’s a great song made better by the details of the engineering. Opening the piece is remarkably clear sound of the ocean, which gives way to […]
Posted inMusic
Paul Simon — Paul Simon / There Goes Rhymin’ Simon / Still Crazy After All These Years / In Concert: Live Rhymin’
The accompanying notes state that the albums “feature the remastered sound, bonus tracks and expanded packaging from their first CD incarnations.” Translated: These are exactly the same as the 2004 CD releases, down to the liner notes. The only reason mentioned for re-releasing these albums is that a licensing agreement recently “brought Simon’s entire catalog […]
Posted inMusic
Terrace stamp
A band name isn’t all Florida hardcore band Evergreen Terrace seemingly borrowed from “The Simpsons.” With its number of ex-members (six) more than matching its current ones (five), the band took not only the beloved animated family’s street address for a moniker but also a similar affinity for a vast universe of secondary characters. “It’s […]
Posted inMusic
Universal appeal
On paper, it would seem The Planets Align requires constant, near perfect balance to continue to exist. With the progressive rock act’s members busy with fledging careers in event coordinating, journalism, the automotive industry and even some part-time circus work, as well as upwards of two dozen former and current bands that the guys have […]
Posted inMusic
Extra Cheeze
Shea Weaver is a busy man. “You never know where things in life will take you,” said the Oklahoma City musician, who plays under his own name, as Cheezecoat and in Country Strange. His varied monikers correspond to the various places that music has taken him. He started playing with Country Strange almost 10 years […]
Posted inArts & Culture
First watch
Author Constance Squires grew up in a military family and loves rock ’n’ roll. Her main character, Lucinda Collins, also grew up in a military family and also loves rock ’n’ roll. But, Squires said, although she shares a lot with her character, the two are very different. “There’s not a single event in the […]
Posted inMusic
The Pretty Black Chains — Awakening
The act makes it clear from the first second of the album, which kicks off with Derek Knowlton’s heavy riff from “Let Me In” and pours on the guitar from there on out. Fans of the six-string will find much to love in tunes from the fuzzed-out “Lovers” to the ’90s-influenced runs of “Thorny Crown”; […]