Various artists
Kinky Friedman’s songs are known more for their titles than what the music sounds like. “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore” and “Get...
Kaz Murphy
Kaz Murphy must have picked up some of his storytelling ability from his days as accompanist/drummer for legendary Beat poet Allen Ginsburg.
Murphy’s songs, often...
Michelle Malone
Sugarfoot is one of those c.d.’s that can be inserted in the space between the blues and rock without really adding anything new to...
Sufjan Stevens
Indie songsmith Sufjan Stevens may be known more for ambition than follow-through.
The 31-year-old plays about 20 different instruments, holds a masters degree in...
Rupert Wates
Dear Life (Bite Music Ltd.)
By Tom Geddie
Dear Life is another of those seriously sincere "arty" albums that respond to the times we live in,...
Gunslingers
When this debut disc by a trio from the unlikely birthplace of San Pedro, France, arrived in a blaze of hype from muso-rockcrit-historian Julian...
The Killers
Day & Age
(Island/Def Jam)
In no universe do mohawks and waistcoats go together. But The Killers continue to churn out throbbing, synth-laden floor-filler that's equal...
LaLaLand
In 2004, as Austin singer-songwriter James McMurtry was barricading himself behind a career iron curtain over the Iraq War, a more obscure musical entity...
The Roots
The Roots’ live prowess and artistic versatility have never been fully harnessed on any of the hip-hop band’s several studio albums. Taken together, the...
Various Artists
Taking its name from revolutionary rebels in Nicaragua, Sandinista!, The Clash’s groundbreaking album from 1980, is “an exciting, sprawling mess,” according to writer Jimmy...
