Falling in love is euphoria and terror. There is no other way to achieve its beauty and hope.
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Music Review: Dropkick Murphys – ’11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory’
Every song is about something. Maybe not always real people or events, but stuffed to capacity with visceral language and imagery on top of Dropkick Murphys' trademark skull-rattling volume and unison shouts.
Read More »Music Review: Jethro Tull – ‘Stand Up: The Elevated Edition’
Much of Jethro Tull's second album still stands up, so to speak. The bright nasality of the hyperactive mandolin on "Fat Man," the blues-rock/progressive fusion of "Nothing is Easy," and the dark psychedelia of "We Used to Know" are all of their time, yet in the new mixes they leap urgently from the speakers. A 1969 Stockholm concert and a booklet packed with reminiscences and commentary help make this new edition something Tull fans will value.
Read More »Music Blu-ray Review: Heart – ‘Live at the Royal Albert Hall with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’
This was a perfect match of group, orchestra, and venue, a magic night superbly captured.
Read More »Music Review: Chris Robinson Brotherhood – ‘If You Lived Here, You Would Be Home by Now’ EP
Over the past five years, these guys – Chris Robinson and Neal Casal – have managed to build a sound and a feeling in their music that I wasn’t even aware I’d been craving...
Read More »Concert Review: Capital Cities, Milky Chance, and More Rocked Radio 94.7 Electric Christmas 2016 (Sacramento, CA 12/8/16)
Capital Cities headlined Radio 94.7's 4th annual Electric Christmas concert event at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA on December 8.
Read More »Music Review: Deftones – ‘Gore’
More than 20 years into its professional recording career, the Deftones are still killing the (alt-metal) competition - 'Gore' slays, and it features Alice in Chains guitar wizard Jerry Cantrell. Need I say more?
Read More »Interview: Music and Light – A Conversation with Bic Runga
In an exclusive interview with Blogcritics, New Zealand native and music icon Bic Runga discusses 20 years of music, her fifth LP, 'Close Your Eyes', and who she is today.
Read More »Music Review: Jack White – ‘Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016’
A wonderful trip down memory lane.
Read More »Are You Listening? 2016 in Music: Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bright Light Bright Light, David Bowie, Melanie C, Hikaru Utada, Beyoncé and more
Here are my highlights in popular music from 2016. It includes records by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bright Light Bright Light, David Bowie, Melanie C, Hikaru Utada, Beyoncé, and many more!
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