September 3, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Sahara Smith – “The Real Thing” This 21-year-old starlet just released her debut record Myth of the Heart, which was crafted under the watchful eye of Fort Worth native T-Bone Burnett. Her sultry vocals and understated, powerful band help create a stunning first record. She kicks off the KXT 91.7 Concert in the Square series… Read more »
September 2, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Bruce Springsteen – “I’m On Fire” Though Bruce is probably better known for his anthemic, orchestral rock sound (“Born to Run”, “Badlands”), fans have come to appreciate the quieter, brooding side of his work: this song, The Rising’s “Nothing Man”, and others. He has described it as a song born from his memories of being… Read more »
September 1, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
The Eels’ Tomorrow Morning is the final chapter in a trilogy of albums written around lead vocalist Mark “E” Everett’s divorce. Following 2009’s Hombre Loco and this year’s End Times, however, Everett seems to have found love again. On an album full of giddiness and the promise of a new romance, “Spectacular Girl” stands out… Read more »
August 31, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Band of Horses – “Laredo” This song, from Band of Horses’ third album, harkens back to late 70’s guitar driven rock, with lead singer Ben Bridwell’s haunting vocals taking center stage. The band, who gained acclaim with their debut Everything All The Time and the follow-up Cease to Begin, were formed in Seattle but relocated… Read more »
August 30, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Ben Folds – “From Above” This new song, from Folds’ upcoming record Lonely Avenue, features a collaboration with author Nick Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity). Folds took charge of the music while Hornby, a renowned music buff, wrote the lyrics. Hornby writes in Folds’ typical irreverent third person style, creating a song that fits… Read more »
August 29, 2010 by Paul Slavens
This is where you can leave groovy suggestions for music and nice polite comments about whatever.
August 27, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
School Of Seven Bells – Dust Devil School of Seven Bells – “Dust Devil” Incorporating the influence of better early-90s shoegaze acts like My Bloody Valentine and the Cocteau Twins, this trio (made up of former Dallasite/ex-Secret Machines member Ben Curtis and twin sisters Claudia and Alejandra Deheza) recently released their latest record, Disconnect from… Read more »
August 26, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
R.E.M. – Fall On Me R.E.M. – “Fall On Me” From their fourth album Life’s Rich Pageant, this song expresses so much of the sound that made R.E.M. legendary: Peter Buck’s ringing guitar, Michael Stipe’s cryptic lyrics, and Mike Mills’ fantastic background vocals. Stipe sings references to acid rain, Galileo, and the leaning tower of… Read more »
August 25, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Josh Ritter – “The Curse” This song, about the love between an archaeologist and her mummy, was the song that broke Josh Ritter out of a writing slump. After his last record, he said in an interview, he was out of ideas, until this story-song hit him in the middle of the night and eventually… Read more »
August 24, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Beck – “Lost Cause” After attaining critical acclaim and commercial success with his breakout Mellow Gold and the followup Odelay, Beck took a left turn, beginning with 1998’s Mutations and into 2000’s Prince-influenced Midnite Vultures. On Sea Change, however, heartbreak stopped him dead in his tracks, as his breakup from longtime girlfriend Leigh Limon inspired… Read more »
