Posted in News

What did Neil Young think would happen?

I don’t know what else Neil Young expected Spotify to do. There’s just no way they could let an artist dictate a decision like that about another content creator and say, “OK, Neil. See ya, Joe.” He left them no…

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Posted in Albums That Surprised Me Covers Reviews

Albums That Surprised Me: It’s Like This / Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee Jones tried a variety of approaches between 1995-2001 — originals, acoustic versions, live album at Red Rocks. But in the middle, she accomplished the unusual: a quality all-covers disc, coherent in sound and reflecting the artist’s diverse tastes in…

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Posted in Bruce Springsteen Covers Half Notes New Releases

Aiofe O’Donovan and Jethro Tull: new albums, Springsteen covers, and … Indian food?

Jethro Tull breaks a a nearly 20-year drought in one week with The Zealot Gene. It’s the first Tull studio album since a Christmas album in 2003. The title track sports a rather involved animated video that may feel stylistically…

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Posted in DMB News

DMB unveils ’22 Warehouse disc (plus full-show bonus)

After last week’s U2 fan club gift announcement, Dave Matthews Band has followed suit (except with more details) for its own diehards. Warehouse members will receive two downloads – one is the contents of the traditional Warehouse CD, along with…

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Posted in Reviews The 888/88/8

“Oh Girl” by The Chi-Lites

The 888/88/8 Project: Song #002. Do you have a better chance at musical success if your name is Eugene Record? Things worked out pretty well for the one Mr. Record we know about. The Chi-Lites had scores of successful singles,…

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Posted in New Releases Reviews

8 things about Elvis Costello’s The Boy Named If

A clearly inspiring lyric concept for the songwriter + strong vocals and muscular work from The Impostors. When I Was Cruel might’ve had a higher high, but The Boy Named If strikes me as the most consistently enjoyable Elvis Costello…

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Posted in News

U2 reveals Achtung theme, leaves wiggle room on sources for 2022 fan club gift

What we know + a little speculation + a look at each track’s live track record: On the heels of an only slightly belated Achtung Baby 30th-anniversary vinyl-and-digital-only release, U2 is rolling with the Achtung theme for its 2022 fan…

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Posted in Half Notes News

Cowboy Junkies on the road and in print with book/CD combo; Spoon to tour

Cowboy Junkies are coming at fans from multiple directions these days. The band has set a few dates across New York in March, followed by an assortment of New England and mid-Atlantic shows in April and later ’22. The Canadian…

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Posted in News

Supergroup surprise! Golden Smog announces two ‘hometown’ shows

If 2022 can use more of anything, it’s unexpected good music news. The good (mostly) Minnesota boys of Golden Smog are doing their share, announcing April 2 and April 3 shows at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Since it’s been a…

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Posted in Reviews The 888/88/8

Fox Confessor Brings The Flood / Neko Case

The 888/88/8: Album #01. Do you have examples of where you’re a fan of the artist, like and love some of their work, don’t necessarily own every last thing – but there’s that one album connects with you in a…

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