REVIEW: ACTIVE CHILD – YOU ARE ALL I SEE (2011)
Active Child is Pat Grossi, a multi-instrumentalist and former choir boy from Los Angeles. His debut album You Are All I See could be described as dream pop infused with hints of R&B. The title track “You Are All I See” opens with the sounds of a cascading harp and sets
REVIEW: WILDLIFE – STRIKE HARD, YOUNG DIAMOND (2010)
It’s happened to me annually. Every time Daytrotter‘s Barnstormer tour hits the road, I walk away from my barn or barns of choice with a few things: A wicked hangover, a few bruises of mysterious origin, and a new favorite band of the moment. So when it happened to me just a few days
Review: Maria Taylor – Overlook (2011)
Rooted in the Saddle Creek family, Maria Taylor is known as half of the duo, Azure Ray and collaborator with Bright Eyes, along with her solo work. Azure Ray released Drawing Down the Moon last year, a highly anticipated follow-up from their 2003 album, Hold O
Review: Moving Mountains – Waves (2011)
The minute I popped in Waves it became the soundtrack to the days that followed. I found myself air-drumming in my car to “My Life Is A Chase Dream (And I’m Still Having Chase Dreams).” I found myself terribly aware of my girl voice when trying and failing to scream lyrics to “Alleviat
Review: Tim Kasher – Bigamy: More Songs from The Monogamy Sessions (2011)
Tim Kasher. 2009 brought us Mama, I’m Swollen and 2007 Help Wanted Nights from the Omaha songwriter’s Cursive and The Good Life. He’s been the personal favorite out of the Saddle Creek community due to a consistent output and his anguished brillianc
REVIEW: BEIRUT – THE RIP TIDE (2011)
To call Beirut a band has always seemed inaccurate. Troubadour troupe has a nice ring to it, but it’s awfully long. Since their debut in 2006, the group has presented itself as a worldly entity, borrowing musical bits and pieces from around the globe. Thus far they’ve taken listeners t
Review: Sleeping At Last – Yearbook – August EP (2011)
For those out of the loop, Sleeping at Last is an indie project that could be described as mellow alternative in genre, although you really have to listen to see what I mean. Ryan O’Neal, the primary force behind the project, is nearing the end of year-long project where Sleeping at Last
Review: Tristen – Charlatans at the Garden Gate (2011)
When you return from SXSW, awash in memories and a sheer wall of awe at the volume of participants, often you scramble to remember all musicians you saw. The second is all those you had wished you had seen. The third is reserved to those bands that were not even on the folded map or […]
REVIEW: CRIBSHITTER – CRY A LITTLE RAINBOW (2008)
A bucket of cheese puffs intended for public consumption lies at the front of the Der Rathskeller stage as a decrepit, 50-something rock stereotype wails away (with surprising virtuosity) on his Fender guitar during sound-check. A gorgeous blonde woman in a Betty Draper summer dress