Posted in New Releases Reviews

Spoon’s Lucifer On The Sofa sits comfortably

Each Spoon album has its worthwhile tracks, but my top two remain Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and 2017’s Hot Thoughts. Probably not a typical duo, and admittedly on the more produced side. In that context, Lucifer On The Sofa…

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Posted in Bruce Springsteen Deluxe/Redux DMB New Releases News

The Week In Coming Attractions: Calexico disc, DMB dates, Springsteen archives, and Steven Wilson writes

Last week at M8: Reviews of the latest from John Mellencamp (stream) and Aiofe O’Donovan (buy), the latter with production by Joe Henry. As for a decent week in music news … Calexico’s El Mirador Calexico’s Joey Burns and John…

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Posted in Deluxe/Redux New Releases Reviews

8 notes on Aiofe O’Donovan / Age Of Apathy

This was the album that made me think, “Well, I guess I need to start a 2022 Favorites list.”Stream / Buy / Skip: I went Buy. Eight notes on why … “B61.” A song with a first date across town…

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Posted in Bruce Springsteen New Releases Reviews

8-note review: John Mellencamp’s Strictly A One-Eyed Jack

I barely resisted the temptation to go with a one-sentence review: Nothing matters and what if it did? John Mellencamp has said that Strictly A One-Eyed Jack reflects a number of songs about (or more accurately, from) one particular character….

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Posted in New Releases News

Beatles’ ‘complete rooftop concert’ streaming rollout includes Norah Jones, Cirque du Soleil

The Beatles’ complete rooftop concert hits outlets as a streaming-only release at midnight on January 28. It boasts newly remixed stereo and Dolby Atmos audio mixes from Giles Martin and Sam Okell. The band’s final live performance reaches its 53rd…

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Posted in Covers New Releases News

Gateway Prog: Brad Mehldau explores rock roots of his jazz and spiritual paths

Whether via a range of collaborators, his choice of cover material, or even his piano work within a traditional jazz/standards setting, Brad Mehldau has spent a career pursuing his adventurous side. Mehldau takes a look back and another step forward…

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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 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 New Releases News

New track, livestreams from Radiohead side project The Smile

After a live debut and more recently a surprise webcast rehearsal, The Smile is readying some official and/or scheduled stuff for this month in advance of its full-length studio debut. The band comprises Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Tom Skinner…

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Posted in Bruce Springsteen New Releases News

Springsteen Surprise Stocking Stuffer: The 1975 “Santa Claus” Show

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s performance of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” from 12/12/75 at C.W. Post College has been a holiday staple on radio playlists for decades. Now, as the 2021 edition of what has become…

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