Dave Brecheisen

Features

Atomic Swindlers: Intergalactic Lesbian Love Songs

By Dave Brecheisen

Glam rock laced with obscure super hero references and sapphic celebration, anyone? Yes, please. But don't get too hung up on the sci-fi sex trappings. At the radioactive core of Atomic Swindlers is a solid rock band that doesn't require gimmicks. [6 October 2006]

Billy Bob’s Unlikely Muse

By Dave Brecheisen

Billy Bob Thornton knows the good-hearted gypsies, tramps and thieves. Thornton and co. weave together a tight, alluring mix of Americana with a tinge of psychedelia and have dubbed their style 'Hillbilly Pink Floyd'. [1 January 1995]

Inspiration from Anger: An Interview with Henry Rollins

By Dave Brecheisen

Cynics fret not: Henry Rollins hasn't lost his edge. At least as best I could tell. I had about 20 minutes to try to cover film, music, TV, war, death, travel, personal growth, and Sean Hannity.

Welcome Will

By Dave Brecheisen

Adam Pierce talks about writing and recording the new Mice Parade album, Bem-Vinda Vontade.

Open Optimism: Interview with British Sea Power

By Dave Brecheisen

British Sea Power guitarist Noble takes us through the in(sides) and out(sides) of recording an album.

A Little All Over the Place

By Dave Brecheisen

Matt Joynt of Anathallo talks about the band's unusual journey to its finest work to date, Floating World.

Reviews

Mary Timony + Tralala

By Dave Brecheisen

While the Black Cat's backstage is more unfinished basement than concert venue, the right artist can bring the room's aesthetic to life. Of course, not every artist is the one. [3 June 2006]

Bellini: Small Stones

By Dave Brecheisen

Small Stones manages to offer more than most records twice its length. It is a beautiful marriage of melody and dissonance. [17 February 2006]

Bedsit Poets: Summer that Changed

By Dave Brecheisen

Sleepy melodies and Dreamy lyrics. If there is an album of lullabies for adults, this may be it [15 February 2006]

Star Wars Marathon

By Dave Brecheisen

A Descent into Imperial madness. [12 January 2006]

Statistics: Often Lie

By Dave Brecheisen

A solid, yet somewhat innocuous outing from Desaparecidos cofounder Denver Dalley. [7 December 2005]

Ambulance, Ltd + We Are Scientists

By Dave Brecheisen

Scientists suggested and medically proven: no amount of energy can cure a slow burning crowd... [15 November 2005]

Death Cab For Cutie + Stars

By Dave Brecheisen

It showed on their faces and echoed through the rafters: for many, this show was more sacred than church, more meaningful than a homily. [10 November 2005]

Minus the Bear: Menos el Oso

By Dave Brecheisen

Minus the Bear has grown up... sort of. At lest they're not singing songs about kicking it like donkeys. [4 November 2005]

Stellastarr* + Giant Drag + Cedars

By Dave Brecheisen

Rock 'n' roll and stolen cars: those were the night's bookends. But first, the rock 'n' roll... [25 October 2005]

Meredith Bragg and the Terminals: Volume 1

By Dave Brecheisen

It may not be the most challenging record you will hear this year, but it has a kindness and charm that is hard to resist. [24 October 2005]

Great Lake Swimmers: Bodies and Minds

By Dave Brecheisen

Bodies and Minds breathes with the emotion of Dekker's voice and pulses with the subtle beauty of his sparse acoustic arrangements. This album deserves a broad audience and Dekker deserves mention with Sam Beam as today's most lauded singer-songwriters. [13 October 2005]

Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill Acoustic

By Dave Brecheisen

Gone are the redeeming qualities that made Jagged Little Pill a definitive album. In their stead is a collection of songs rehashed and dandified by an artist content to drag her legacy through the mud. [30 August 2005]

Fountains of Wayne: Out of State Plates

By Dave Brecheisen

Two CDs worth of Fountains of Wayne that, although you may not need to hear, you probably should. Why wouldn't you want to listen to this band's version of Max Martin's smash hit, '...Baby, One More Time?'" [30 June 2005]

Audioslave: Out of Exile

By Dave Brecheisen

Audioslave are back and still making music that doesn't live up to expectations. Still, they are not without hope. [10 June 2005]

Mercury Rev: The Secret Migration

By Dave Brecheisen

This sixth album from Mercury Rev is the band's best and most lucid outing to date. The Secret Migration is pure psychedelic pop bliss. [8 June 2005]

Various Artists: Live at Continental: Best of NYC - Volumes 1 and 2

By Dave Brecheisen

In a time when rock clubs are failing or being shut down faster than they can be reopened, clubs like the Continental are becoming more and more important. Captured here are 46 songs that provide a snap shot of New York's punk scene circa 1999. [24 May 2005]

Follow the Train: The Great Disturbance

By Dave Brecheisen

The sound cultivated here isn't the most original but the lack of irony or posturing adds an honesty that much more critically claimed bands lack. [4 May 2005]

Ok Go

By Dave Brecheisen

On occasion the teens did distract, holding conversations about making out and sneaking booze in the trunks of their cars. [19 April 2005]

Various Artists: Burn to Shine: Washington DC 01.14.2004 [DVD]

By Dave Brecheisen

A snapshot of Washington, DC's music scene on a particular day in 2004. Ted Leo, Ian MacKaye, Bob Mould and others give intimate performances in an empty house soon to be burnt to the ground. [7 April 2005]

The A-Sides: Hello, Hello

By Dave Brecheisen

The A-Sides have taken the melodies that were undeniable in the '60s and recast them in a way that, although isn't terribly unique, is terribly catchy. [5 April 2005]

Monade: A Few Steps More

By Dave Brecheisen

Stereolab cofounder releases a dreamy lounge escape that is engaging despite its laid back cool and will take you in as far as you wish to go. [31 March 2005]

Magnapop

By Dave Brecheisen

What do you do when two of the four bands don't show? Get drunk and enjoy what's left. [29 March 2005]