Raised in England, New York transplant Lightspeed Champion is reviving the late ‘70s and early ‘80s ELO-esque vibe. His sophomore full-length Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You begins slowly, with the aptly titled “Dead Head Blues” a trippy, a little experimental and depressing opener. Quickly, though, the album picks…

For a band that only formed in 2003, before any of the members had even learned to play their instruments, you have to give Japanese, all-girl, black metal trio, Gallhammer, credit for the brutal efficiency in which they convey their hatred.

Signed to Peaceville Records in 2006 at the request…

Debates over who the greatest soul man of all-time is could contain solid arguments for James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson and a few others. The release of Rhino’s six-disc Wilson Pickett boxed set makes a good case for the wicked Pickett (1941-2006), who came out…

It’s no secret that singer/songwriter Patty Griffin could release an album of turkey calls and I’d be first in line to get a copy. With a voice capable of impressive range and beautiful, emotional tone, Griffin’s work always stands above the rest as an example of elegance and talent. Her…

Vintage melodramatic pop.  That is the best way to describe April Smith and the Great Picture Show.  The band’s new album,Songs For A Sinking Ship, is over the top in the best way possible.  You can imagine yourself in an old time saloon listening to them play.  It’s a combination…

When Rick Rubin took his place at the end of the long line of producers Johnny Cash had argued with over the years, the closing chapter of America’s most widely embraced country musician had already been written. Sixteen years later and now over six years after his death, American VI:…

It is easy to hate any song that drags on for more than five minutes. Throughout the opening song “Beast” on Christy & Emily’s album, No Rest, I thought I had listened to three tracks minimum. Luckily, this duet was smart enough to slowly shorten their song length as No…

This is Overkill, they are still great. What did you expect?

Every decade or so Overkill return to their NYC thrash roots, and there is much rejoicing. Most of their peers didn’t last even a quarter of the time Overkill have been without a break and no one seriously believes…

There’s nothing like a good opening cut. Or a good opening to an opening cut. “Unholy Water” begins Shadows Of The Shapeless in web of intrigue (and by web of intrigue, I mean some awesome riffs) that echoes a breakdown of Yob proportions.

It’s not brought to you by a…

I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart shows Georgia-born singer, songwriter, musician, and A-list producer Butch Walker’s innate ability to—much like an early Ray Davies—create an album of storytelling with lyrics that overlap wit with earnestness and exhibit coinciding love and sadness. Examples include the lovesick “Pretty Melody,”…