Elisabeth McGuirk | The Aquarian

Hammerfall: Hammerfall Wins Respect Across Globe With Heartfelt Songs About Alienation, Killing

March 5, 2010

Eighties metal redemption rock—this is Hammerfall’s schtick and it is awesome, especially the first songs of their newest album, No Sacrifice, No Victory. The Swedish group reminds us of basic life goals: “Kill...

Black Joe Lewis And The Honeybears: No Longer Broke, Not Yet A Big Booty Woman

Elisabeth McGuirk

February 24, 2010

Goings-On

On Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is, Black Joe Lewis sings a lot like James Brown and little like Jack White—smooth, but gruff. His (awesomely titled) songs, including “I’m Broke,” “Big Booty Woman,” “Humpin’,” and “...

Extra Life: Like Church, Only Better

Elisabeth McGuirk

February 18, 2010

Goings-On

The coolest thing about Extra Life, the experimental Brooklyn-based group led by guitarist/composer Charlie Looker, is the juxtaposition between Looker’s ultra-clear voice and conversational lyrics—“This girl h...

Hellogoodbye: Third Time’s A Charm

Elisabeth McGuirk

February 16, 2010

Goings-On

Hellogoodbye, from Long Beach, California, hit the big time in January 2007 with their song “Here (In Your Arms),” an auto-tuned catastrophe that fit snuggly among the other auto-tuned catastrophes of the Top 4...

Robin Crutchfield: The Hidden Folk

Elisabeth McGuirk

February 10, 2010

Albums

Equal parts medieval and Middle Eastern, the pieces on Robin Crutchfield’s 2009 release, Hidden Folk, are like Middle Earth-themed vignettes from Crutchfield’s imagination. A Performance artist in the 70s and c...

Kindergarten: Schoolhouse Rock

Elisabeth McGuirk

February 6, 2010

Goings-On

You know, just because Kindergarten is named Kindergarten doesn’t mean they’re like, a bunch of weenies or something. They’re serious artists, okay? Reasons to take Kindergarten seriously: Despite their upbeat ...

Those Darlins: Those Darlins Ain’t Chicken

Elisabeth McGuirk

February 2, 2010

Goings-On

Female country punk band, Those Darlins, is like drinking a black cup of really strong coffee—kind of bitter, kind of gritty, but delicious. Hailing from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, wherever the fuck that is (Tenn...

Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More

Elisabeth McGuirk

January 13, 2010

Albums

2

The subject matter of Mumford & Sons’ first full-length album, Sigh No More, is country—regretting, repenting and exalting love—but the music has producer Markus Dravs’ name all over it. Dravs is the guy wh...

Roky Erickson: Roky Erickson Reunites With Rock

Elisabeth McGuirk

December 30, 2009

Goings-On

Roky Erickson was the lead vocalist of ‘60s psychedelic pre-punk pioneers the 13th Floor Elevators, a group vital to the histories of punk and garage rock. Known for their LSD-fueled shows and manic energy, The...

Zebra: Black And White And Rocks All Over

Elisabeth McGuirk

December 26, 2009

Goings-On

Zebra never quite reached the popularity of their Atlantic Records brethren AC/DC, Yes, and Led Zeppelin and in the past, have been relegated to Led Zeppelin knock-off status. Fuck the know-nothings. Demanding ...

Portugal. The Man: Feeling It Still

Rooney: Robert Schwartzman Does It All

Seán Barna: Impressions Be Damned

Makin Waves with Nalani & Sarina: “We actually like each other’”

Gaslight Anthem: Those Wild and Reckless Breezes

Alkaline Trio: Is This Thing Cursed? Hits NJ

Reece Young – “Forget Don’t Forgive”

Jason Mraz: “Know.” (Atlantic)

Shoreworld - BlowUpRadio.com Announces Annual Banding Together Benefit for the Spondylitis Association of America

Rant’n’Roll

Manhattan Beat – Howard Hewett, The Underhill Family Orchestra, & More!

North Jersey Notes – Melia

Hammerfall: Hammerfall Wins Respect Across Globe With Heartfelt Songs About Alienation, Killing

Black Joe Lewis And The Honeybears: No Longer Broke, Not Yet A Big Booty Woman

Extra Life: Like Church, Only Better

Hellogoodbye: Third Time’s A Charm

Robin Crutchfield: The Hidden Folk

Kindergarten: Schoolhouse Rock

Those Darlins: Those Darlins Ain’t Chicken

Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More

Roky Erickson: Roky Erickson Reunites With Rock

Zebra: Black And White And Rocks All Over

Portugal. The Man: Feeling It Still

Shoreworld – BlowUpRadio.com Announces Annual Banding Together Benefit for the Spondylitis Association of America

Rooney: Robert Schwartzman Does It All

Rant’n’Roll

Seán Barna: Impressions Be Damned

Author Elisabeth McGuirk