Spins
Spins: Local H ⢠LIFERS
LOCAL HLIFERS(AntiFragile) Twenty-five years after their debut, Scott Lucasâ Local H continues to defy the odds – not only by producing aggressive music that still matters but by being a band that appeals to both city and suburban crowds. Their musical magnetism continues to be strong across both musical spectrums, and thatâs no small feat. […]
Spins: Cy Curnin ⢠Lockdown
Cy Curnin Lockdown (Self) Fixx frontman Cy Curnin has returned with Lockdown, his fifth solo LP, his latest since 2013âs The Horseâs Mouth. The town crier continues to roam the global village with a sweet voice that conveys bitter truths when it must. That voice may not always bring comfort, but it nonetheless assures us […]
Spins – The Outfit ⢠“Viking”
The Outfit Viking (Pavement Entertainment) Chicago rockers The Outfit have done it again. On its second full-length album, Viking, the foursome â brothers Mark (drums) and Matt Nawara (guitar), Mike Gorman (bass) and Andy Mitchell (vocals/guitar) â seamlessly merge massive hooks, edgy riffs, soaring vocal harmonies and catchy choruses with pleasing results. Mixed by multi-platinum […]
Spins: Stephen Malkmus ⢠“Traditional Techniques”
Stephen Malkmus Traditional Techniques (Matador Records) When Pavement first entered the rock scene nearly 30 years ago, they stood out like a sore thumb. While they were lo-fi, they werenât punk, and while they had pop melodies, those were buried under tape hiss and inside jokes. Frontman Stephen Malkmus never went for a stylistic makeover, […]
Spins: Greg Dulli ⢠“Random Desire”
Greg Dulli Random Desire (Royal Cream/BMG) Calling this âthe first solo albumâ by The Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli isnât technically truthful â unless itâs a deliberate attempt to erase 2005âs Amber Headlights altogether. Whether first or second, it was time for another musical road less traveled for Dulli. Surviving way longer than most rock […]
Spins: Pearl Jam ⢠“Gigaton”
Pearl Jam Gigaton (Monkeywrench/Republic) Pearl Jamâs timing for the end of the world record is impeccable. The Seattle-based quartetâs recorded output has been stalled for nearly seven years, and apparently, they have some shit they want to get off their chests. The bandâs eleventh record, Gigaton, also finds its members looking for new ways to […]
Spins: The Beatles “Abbey Road” 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Box Set Reviewed
The Beatles Abbey Road 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe box set (Apple/Universal) As with the 50th anniversary editions of Sgt. Pepperâs Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Beatles (aka The White Album), any fan could argue that this new mix of Abbey Road is unnecessary. Some may go as far as saying that tinkering with the […]
Spins: The Mekons, Signal The Launch, Foreigner, Journey
The Mekons Deserted (Bloodshot) This isn’t the Joshua Tree that U2 wrote about 30 years ago. But peering into their crystal ball, you would think they’d approve (and be disturbed) by the Mekons version of southern California’s treasured landmark inspiration on Deserted. Climate change, industrial expansion, government shutdowns, and neglect threaten Joshua Tree National Forest, […]
Spins: The Beatles – The White Album at 50
The Beatles The Beatles (aka The White Album) anniversary editions (Apple/Universal) Following 2017âs 50th anniversary retooling of Sgt. Pepperâs Lonely Hearts Club Band, producer George Martinâs son Giles Martin takes a deep dive into the original White Album reels for a revelatory remix. Pepperâs remix incited heated debate. On one side were fans (and even […]
Spins: Rush, Frank Zappa Reissues
Rush 2112 â 40th Anniversary Edition (Universal Music Enterprises) Bassist Geddy Lee has described Rush as âthe worldâs biggest cult band.â Among the trioâs most devoted followers, youâll find fans claiming any one of the Canadian prog-rock powerhouseâs twenty albums as their favorite. To the world at large, however, it all comes down to 1976âs […]
Spins: Reviewed – The Rolling Stones – “Blue and Lonesome”
“Britain’s oldest hitmakers” return to their blues roots. Instead of revisiting tired cliches, Jeff Elbel says they sound inspired and re-energized, in Spins.
Stage Buzz – Album Review & Photo Gallery: Billy Idol
Billy Idol has survived the music wars and has come out the other end virtually unscathed…
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