more by Christopher John Treacy
[INDIE] NPR-resident critic and all-around pop music voice of reason, Ann Powers, once said that Fitz and the Tantrums is a band that communicates best in concert. We’re gonna bet that’s true, although they come from that weird school of L.A.
Of Montreal (stylized with a lowercase ‘o’ if we let the band have its way) evolved from being part of the Elephant 6 Collective (a Colorado-based family of bands formed in the 1990’s that shared a reverence for 1960’s influences).
[PUNK] In a curious and important feeling turnaround, Lee Bains’s new Youth Detention (Don Giovanni Records) rings out like a call to arms against the loss of cultural institutions and norms that used to help us, collectively, hold our shit together.
[POP] “I know I’m a little unusual, I’m a little delusional,” sings Mary Lambert on “Know Your Name,” a single from last year’s Kickstarter-born EP, Bold, and it’s that very mix of unapologetic pride and self-deprecation that’s brought so mu
[ROCK] Steven Tyler cannot be stopped. Despite myriad, ongoing health issues that’ve dogged the last 15 years of his career, the legendary Aerosmith vocalist carries on (dreams on?).
[PUNK] I remember when punk was young, me and Gator had so much fun… Well, actually, no – that’s not how the song goes, but there was a time when a certain class of punk bands eschewed politics (and all that emo/feelings shit) for absurd humor and hyper energy.
[ROCK] Returning to the Tralf Music Hall after a successful club-debut there last fall, Victor Wainwright brings an unusual degree of showmanship to your average blues gig.
[ROCK] One of classic rock’s less-sung heroes, guitarist Randy Bachman hails from up in Winnipeg, where he eventually formed The Guess Who with a guy named Chad Allen. Allen left, and celebrated vocalist Burton Cummings joined the fold.
[JAM] It’s hard to know what the term “jam band” even means anymore, but whatever it is, Ripe qualifies.
[TRIBUTE] Haters gonna hate, but the music of the Grateful Dead will never die. Long after the currently touring Dead and Co.