REVIEW: COLD WAR KIDS – HOLD MY HOME (2014)
A year and a half after releasing Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, The Cold War Kids return with their fifth full-length album, Hold My Home. Though not as comprehensive or thematically dedicated as their 2013 loosely based concept album, Hold My Home blends a solid collection of songs, b
REVIEW: THE LOWER 48 – THE LOWER 48 (2013)
“She fell in love with the Sixties/ And they broke her heart,” The Lower 48’s Ben Braden and Sarah Parson sing on “That’s What I’ll Say,” a bustling, enthusiastically fun cut off the band’s self-titled EP release. It’s no secret that the 1960s are a prominent influence on the
REVIEW: KINGS OF LEON – MECHANICAL BULL (2013)
“We are people’s favorite band. F—ing play like it.” Kings of Leon lead singer and guitarist Caleb Followill can be seen offering those heavy words of motivation on the 2011 Kings of Leon documentary, “Talihina Sky.” The band is in the studio, seemingly working on the&nbs
REVIEW: GROUPLOVE – SPREADING RUMOURS (2013)
When it comes to an artist’s music being featured in a commercial, that commercial can fall into one of two categories: an Apple ad, or an ad for any other service or product in the world. Who can forget the promising campaigns of the various iPod generations featuring Feist’s “
REVIEW: OKKERVIL RIVER – THE SILVER GYMNASIUM (2013)
Will Sheff knows how to tell a story. The Okkervil River band leader has written thoughtful, in-depth, well-rounded and compelling tunes along with a rotating cast of band members for 15 years now. Okkervil River songs are often times character driven, with Sheff seamlessly portraying indi
CONCERT REVIEW: BEST COAST AT THE RAVE (MILWAUKEE, WI)
Best Coast (Los Angeles, CA)August 1st, 2013The Rave in Milwaukee, WI Los Angeles lo-fi duo Best Coast made the most out of a mildly attended concert that, all things considered, was going to be a tough draw for most indie rock bands playing the bill that night in Milwaukee. Bud
CONCERT REVIEW: FOXYGEN AT TURNER HALL (MILWAUKEE, WI)
Foxygen (Westlake Village, California)July 28th, 2013Turner Hall in Milwaukee, WI If you only know Foxygen from their tantalizing pop single “San Francisco,” then you would likely be surprised by their live show, at least the one they put on in Milwaukee Sunday night. Not onl
REVIEW: THE NATIONAL – TROUBLE WILL FIND ME (2013)
Both their harshest critics and most devout fans will agree, one of the most prominent elements of The National’s music, is, and always has been, the sadness. From the alt-country beginnings of their 2001 self-titled debut, on through the promising musical growth of 2003’s Sad Songs fo