// Category Archive for: Music

Siriusmo, Mosaik

By Emily Carney

In the last decade and a half, electronic dance music has been hijacked by French artists, the most famous of whom are likely Daft Punk. “French touch” music—originally associated with funked-up 1970s guitar flourishes, synth swoops, and thumping beats—morphed into something wholly futuristic sounding (for example, “Derezzed” from Daft Punk’s soundtrack to Tron: Legacy, and Digitalism’s “Zdarlight,” which was also a paean to Cassius’ producer Philippe Zdar). Although Digitalism originated in Germany, in many cases that country’s contributions to electronic music tended to be overlooked while French touch music took over everything.
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America’s Music Legacy: Blues (DVD)

By Danny R. Phillips

The series America’s Music Legacy, with installments on Dixieland Jazz, Folk, Country, Soul, and others has the goal of documenting the foundations of America music. And with this chapter, “Blues,” they do a fine job.

Though it can seem slightly hokey and the performances painfully staged (the performances are set in “clubs” with “customers” in the audience; when the audience does get movin’, it still seems like they’re just playing a role), the real saving grace is the fact that this DVD focuses on the music. Despite the lack of energy and wildness that the blues should inspire and a spontaneous feeling of excitement that the genre can sometimes generate, there are some great performances by great players to be found.
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Floating Action, Desert Etiquette

By Less Lee Moore

Although the name Floating Action is derived from a vintage Gretsch drum pedal, it’s perfect metaphor for multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Seth Kauffman’s latest release. Desert Etiquette‘s ten twangy, trebly tunes are like sugar crystals floating on a stream of golden honey, dewdrops sparkling in the sunrise of a chilly spring morning, or the embers flaring from a campfire in the clearing of the dark, snowy forest. Everything is as natural and comfortable as being outdoors.
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Frank Sinatra: Best of Vegas

By Emily Carney

Frank Sinatra’s unique brand of machismo and swagger may seem obsolete in 2011. However, his vocal influence is still very much felt; Austrian electro lounge crooner Louie Austen has been known to mix some old Sinatra classics into his current sets. Although big band music has lost its cult luster in the last few years (remember the “swing” revival in 1999, and the Tony Bennett popularity explosion of the mid-1990s?), Frank Sinatra’s voice and legend elevates him far above mere novelty status.
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PJ Harvey, Let England Shake

By J Howell

If there’s one thing that can be said about Polly Harvey, it’s that she is full of surprises.

While a detailed discussion of the breadth of Harvey’s compelling body of work is beyond the scope of this review, it’s fair to say that while her music has always been inhabited by an often harrowing multitude of characters, the protagonists are generally embattled on an intensely intimate level. Just as often those same characters could arguably be described as victims.
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Letters To An R&B Contrarian, or: Why R. Kelly Matters

By Paul Casey

Dear _____,

How are you? I was pleased to receive your last letter. I am glad that you are proceeding well with your descent into the mire of popular music and that you no longer scoff at the genre of R&B in such an ill conceived and self-satisfied manner. That you can acknowledge you were mistaken to hold that Keane album above “any R&B album of the last twenty years” is something.

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Over the Rhine, The Long Surrender

By Magda Underdown-DuBois

I was introduced to Over the Rhine when they opened for Ani DiFranco a few years ago. The girlfriend who bought us the tickets explained to me that the married duo of Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler had begun making music in the arena of Contemporary Christian, but had then broadened their reach to incorporate the deeply personal mundane that dominates the singer-songwriter genre these days. When I picked up The Long Surrender, I expected something similar to what I heard onstage so long ago. Their press release and the Notes within (a preface to the duo’s musical story written by their producer Joe Henry) argued against these preconceptions.
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Anna Waronker, California Fade

By Less Lee Moore

Singer/songwriter Anna Waronker has surrounded herself with talented musician friends for her second full-length album, but no voice rings as clear as Anna’s own. Her lovely alto is the shining star in this collection of tunes on which she also plays piano, guitar, synths, and more. Waronker has a real gift for harmonies and melodies; these skills become particularly gratifying in the way she crafts the endings of her songs, as they transcend the typical fade out or repeated chorus, and transform the entire song into something better than the sum of its parts. Additionally, Waronker’s vocal and string arrangements are beautifully crafted.
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Everything In Between: The Decemberists

By Maureen

Beacon Theatre, New York NY
January 25, 2011

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larger image.

I have to steal a quote I overheard from a fellow fan at the merchandise table: “I’ve seen them many times, and every time it’s like, totally different.” The Decemberists played a three-show block at the historic Beacon Theatre this January. I attended the “middle” show, which was originally the only show, as the other days were added to accommodate incredible ticket demand. This is my third experience with seeing the band live, throughout more than five years of being a fan. This current “Popes of Pendarvia” Tour follows the release of their newest album The King is Dead.
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Don’t Quit Your Day Job: Super Bowl “Singers” Please Take Note

By Laura L.

Ah, football. (That would be American football for most of the world.) What do you think of when you think of football? Touchdowns? Sure. Tailgating? Perhaps. Rap? Are you serious? Sadly, I am afraid I am. And YouTube has reminded me of this dark moment in not just National Football League history, but rap history as well. And with the 2011 Super Bowl upon us, what better time is there to open that vault?

It all started back in 1985. The Chicago Bears, under the leadership of legendary coach Mike Ditka, were having an incredible run, losing only once in the regular season. They would eventually win the Super Bowl that season. But that legacy may not be completely untainted. Three words: Super Bowl Shuffle.
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