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Matt GonzalesAbout Matt GonzalesMatt Gonzales is a freelance writer living in Indianapolis, Ind. Features
Asking Why?He's not known for honesty, but on Yoni Wolf's new album, he's not taking the piss. [1 January 1995] Taste the Waste: A Conversation With Gene WeenPopMatters music critic Matt Gonzales digs deep to find out what makes Ween evil to the core - and good to the last drop. David Lerner of Ted Leo and the PharmacistsWriter Matt Gonzales chats with David Lerner, bassist from Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, on their grueling touring schedule, the creative process, and future prospects for the group. In Search of the Super Furry AnimalsGo looking for the Super Furry Animals, and it's unclear what will turn up -- a curious modulation here, a bedazzled Welsh-babble there. Or maybe just a band so devoted to their craft, they practically live in the studio. PopMatters investigates. The Quality and the ThrottleWhat happens when power pop grows up? PopMatters kicks back with songwriter legend Chris Stamey to discuss his first studio release in a decade. Better Than Your Kids: An E-mail Interview With SmogBill Callahan modestly explains his place in music and lexicography. A Battle of Wits: Malcolm Clark of the Sleepy JacksonAnother ego-driven lead singer with a team of puppets that front as a 'band?' Think again. PopMatters talks with drummer Malcolm Clark of the Sleepy Jackson to figure out who else is contributing to the band's enigmatic sound. From a Texaco Sign: An Interview with Silver JewsThe Silver Jews' David Berman on secret tapes and a mission from God. Fest by Midwest: An Interview with RhymefestRadio needed that last single, and Rhymefest explains why this whole album is essential. The Princess BroodA conversation with Princess Superstar, the real heiress to Madonna's throne. A Pretty Good Girlfriend and Even Better Sales: A Conversation with Carl Newman of the New PornograpNo, the girlfriend isn't Neko, so we had to come up with this other story. Kentucky Mystique: A Conversation with Johnny Quaid of My Morning JacketPopMatters music critic Matt Gonzales discovers what makes My Morning Jacket's sound reverberate with fans, all the way to the Netherlands. Show-Off: An Interview with Stephin MerrittThe songwriter wants to know why I hate show tunes. Interview with Pete Hoffman of the Mendoza Line'We like the Replacements and getting drunk' is Pete Hoffman's description of his band, but he's got bigger things to say. Interview wth Shannon McArdle of the Mendoza LineThe Mendoza Line's Shannon McArdle explains how she and the band made their Fortune. The Music Next Door: Talking with the LucksmithsMarty Donald's done cooking with his girlfriend, or at least done writing about it. No Emo: Ben Kweller Up CloseHow does a 'singer/songwriter' write 'sensitive' tunes without because dubbed the 'E' word? PopMatters talks with Ben Kweller about the meaning(lessness?) behind labels. Fat with an ‘F’: Talking to Beth Ditto of the GossipIt's a long way from squirrel-eaters to punk activism, but Ditto's taken it all in. Mirror Man: An Interview with Alejandro EscovedoPopMatters documents the rebirth of Alejandro Escovedo, once named Artist of the Decade by No Depression in the '90s. Running Thoughts: An Interview with DeerhoofDeerhoof's latest, The Runners Four, has garnered praise from The New York Times and helped usher the band into larger arenas. Here, guitarist John Dieterich discusses how the band has responded. Reviews
The Black Heart Procession: SixStill bleak after all these years, the Black Heart Procession has failed to, well, proceed much. [3 November 2009] 
Múm: Sing Along to Songs You Don’t KnowOn this, its fifth full-length since its landmark 2000 debut, Múm tries too hard to recapture the magic of its often remarkable past. [1 October 2009] 
Six Organs of Admittance: Luminous NightThe 11th album by Six Organs of Admittance is like a drug: it will lower your blood pressure. That's a good thing. [25 September 2009] 
Joe Pernice: It Feels So Good When I StopThis slight-yet-compelling covers album accompanies pop craftsman Joe Pernice's first foray into the world of letters. [26 August 2009] 
The Antlers: HospiceConfronting death, Hospice shows the full-length album is as alive as ever. [20 August 2009] 
Cass McCombs: CatacombsCass McCombs' fourth full-length has its flaws -- and is better of for them. [10 August 2009] 
Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse: Dark Night of the SoulSparklehorse, Danger Mouse, David Lynch and an all-star cast of contributors have made one of the best albums of 2009 so far. Good luck finding it. [25 June 2009] 
Grand Duchy: Petits FoursThis collaboration between Black Francis and his wife, Violet Clark, confirms that music made by married couples is often as unexciting as marriage itself. [10 June 2009] 
Chin Chin: The Flashing, the FancingReflexively hating revisionist disco is so 1999. Unless you hate fun, Brooklyn retro disco/funk/dance outfit Chin Chin deserves your appreciation. [1 June 2009] 
Comet Gain: Broken Record PrayersSublime in flashes, this 74-minute compilation from Comet Gain gives the listener too much time to contemplate its nagging flaws. [17 April 2009] 
The Would-Be-Goods: EventyrThe Would-Be-Goods would-be-better if they would loosen their collars a little bit. [3 February 2009] 
The Week That Was: The Week That WasField Music's Peter Brewis takes a week off the Internet to write a solo record. The result might make you want to abstain for a week, too. [31 October 2008] 
The New Year: The New YearOn their first album in four years, the New Year quietly reminds the indie rock community why no one makes music for the Painfully Alone better than them. [2 October 2008] 
Mother Mother: O My HeartManic, mellifluous, and moving, Mother Mother's sophomore album borrows the best from the best while remaining startlingly original. [17 September 2008] 
Azeda Booth: In Flesh TonesAzeda Booth’s debut mines the same glitchy ground as Mum and the Postal Service – to similarly captivating effect. [11 September 2008] 
The Black Ghosts: The Black GhostsIntroducing the Black Ghosts’ debut to the iTunes library upsets the delicate balance achieved by the other “Black” bands. [14 August 2008] 
Darker My Love: 2Darker My Love’s sophomore effort, 2, defies easy classification. But that doesn’t mean it’s any good. [7 August 2008] In Memoriam: Mitch HedbergMitch Hedberg was a leather-jacket, tinted-sunglasses-wearing proto-beatnik, one that burned out far to fast. [15 March 2007] The PerceptionistsImagine the biggest Afro you can: four nappy dreads, each thicker than a banana, two resting atop a head like ram horns. Extraordinary. [22 February 2005] Mitch Hedberg + Stephen LynchTommorow's TV star mixes words with a rock-and-roll flameout. Jesus stands challenged. [30 November 2004] 
Erase Errata: Dancing Machine: Erase Errata Remix Record (EP)Erase Errata have said that their erratic, glass-shattering noise is meant to be dance music. Don’t believe them. It’s panic attack music. It’s epileptic seizure music. [21 August 2003]
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: Hearts of OakInsanely hooky and tortuous, Hearts Of Oak is an informal message that couldn’t have come at a more fitting time. [18 April 2003] |
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