Recent Stories (view all stories)

New Kids on the Block

The Block

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

The first time around, the Boston boy-band quintet was straight-up pop. Hit-churning, falsetto-unfurling, shriek-inducing pop. But times change, kids grow into men, savings accounts run dry and styles evolve for inevitable reunions.

Blues Traveler

North Hollywood Shootout

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008

Does the hook bring you back?

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008

Following the oral biography "Gonzo: The Life of Hunter S. Thompson" by Rolling Stone honcho Jann Wenner comes yet another project that exists precisely because the infamous journalist no longer does, having silenced his inner demons with a handgun at age 67.

Four questions with local comedy luminary Tanyalee Davis

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008

There’s definitely material from this experience. I don’t have any set jokes yet; it’s basically one of those thing where I’m just going to get up, talk about what happens and see what flows out of my mouth, how the nurses acted and how not being able to wash your hair for 15 days straight is really disgusting.

David Byrne & Brian Eno

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008

The ’70s and ’80s saw Talking Heads perennially atop both critical and commercial lists, flying the new-wave flag with jittery, globally conscious pop that captured the heady times like few others.

Rhodes to success

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008

Tom Rhodes never attended college, yet he’s a better-read and more independent thinker than any of the political blowhards polluting television with their “expertise.”

Randy Newman

Harps and Angels

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008

Instantly familiar to anyone who’s ever watched a major motion picture in the last 35 years, Randy Newman’s mellow Southern California croon has long called to mind dependable friendships and lazy summer afternoons. But his point of view is currently far from comforted.

Hawthorne Heights

Fragile Future

Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008

Used to be protracted legal battles were the domain of more established artists bickering over back-catalog royalties or accounting malfeasance. Similarly, most bands don’t experience the untimely death of a member and/or a vicious feud until they’re well past their prime.

What about Bobby?

Thursday, July 31, 2008

The overwhelming majority of comics have “a thing.” A shtick. An angle. And then there’s Bobby Collins.

Conor Oberst

Self-titled

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Either the Omaha wunderkind has already hit his creative peak, or the contributions of his Bright Eyes cohorts Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott have long been overlooked in favor of heaping praise upon the figure at the rotating collective’s helm. That’s not to say Conor Oberst’s first wide-release solo effort is an outright disappointment; far from it.