Dan MacIntosh

About Dan MacIntosh

Dan MacIntosh is a freelance writer from Bellflower, California, “The friendly city”. He’s married with two children, two cats, one dog, one bunny, and one bird. He earned his B.A. degree in Communications (emphasis Public Relations) from California State University, Fullerton in 1986. By day, he works for a software company (Ah, but doesn’t everybody these days?), and in the evenings he works at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts where he is hardly recognizable in a suit and tie. He also dearly loves his church, Calvary Baptist Church, Bellflower, where he is a deacon, a praise choir member, and a small group leader. He also plays guitar, but mainly in the privacy of his home.

Features

The Liberated Chameleon: An Interview With Alison Moyet

Alison Moyet may be several artists at once, but she's still just herself. [16 October 2008]

“He Was Just Starting to Scratch the Surface”: Dennis Wilson, Remembered

Sitting down with producer Gregg Jakobson and Dean Torrence (of Jan & Dean), PopMatters reflects on the genius of Dennis Wilson, who worked on his own time, by his own rules, and in a life that had so much to offer. [12 September 2008]

Coming Up Clausen: An Interview with The Simpsons Composer

Alf Clausen explains the workings behind the music of The Simpsons, and shows how he fits right in. [19 November 2007]

All By Himself No More: An Interview With Eric Carmen

"We had banged our head on the wall long enough and said, 'This isn't going to work,'" remembers Eric Carmen, but the reunited Raspberries show that 30 years later, they're no overnight sensations. [28 August 2007]

Mob Rule: An Interview with Kaiser Chiefs

Keyboardist Nick Baines explains the rise from peanuts to festivals. [7 March 2007]

The Medicinal Headphones

John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats directs us to the volume knob as he takes on hockey's sissies. [1 January 1995]

Your Hair, Your Bassist, and Your Sense of Humor

Dan Hawkins of the Darkness describes how he's got to keep one of those three on his hellish creative path.

Reviews

Various Artists: The Rough Guide to Salsa Gold

The Rough Guide to Salsa Gold offers a great way to dig into one of salsa music’s heydays. [14 October 2008]

Sixpence None the Richer: The Dawn of Grace

Whenever Sixpence None the Richer vocalist Leigh Nash sings, she does so with the joy of a small child opening presents on Christmas morning. [8 October 2008]

Hal Ketchum: Father Time

Ketchum is the male equivalent to Mary Chapin Carpenter: lumped in with the country music mainstream, even though he’s far brainier than your typical good old boy. [12 September 2008]

The Smithereens: Live in Concert! Greatest Hits and More

The Smithereens are a great power-pop bar band. [23 July 2008]

Edgar Winter: Rebel Road

Winter may be an AOR rock staple with his certified classic, “Frankenstein”, but he’s clearly not creating classic-worthy music these days. [22 July 2008]

Various Artists: My Blueberry Nights: Music from the Motion Picture

If a fine soul music collection is something you happen to be in search of, this soundtrack is sure to satisfy. [16 July 2008]

Jeff Healey: Mess of Blues

It’s sad that we lost an obvious talent like Healey, but this show document is a wonderful way to remember the man. [15 July 2008]

Thrice: The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV

Alchemy Index, Vol. 3 & 4: Air and Earth will likely make you think twice about the human condition, the way Kensrue obviously did while writing it. [18 June 2008]

Various Artists: Putumayo Presents Euro Groove

Languages and cultures are mixed together like an indescribable stew. [25 April 2008]

James McMurtry: Just Us Kids

Call McMurtry’s music what you will, just don’t call it kids’ stuff. [15 April 2008]

Was (Not Was): Boo!

Let’s hope it’s not another 16 years before Was (Not Was) is again. [10 April 2008]

Excellent Cadavers

No dramatization of the American Mafia can ever prepare you for this chilling documentary on the Italian Mafia. [9 April 2008]

Lili Haydn: Place Between Places

Place Between Places proves that Lili Haydn is an excellent singer/songwriter – albeit, one with a bow. [7 April 2008]

The Wood Brothers: Loaded

There’s not even a hint of compressed fiber on this disc because Loaded is built with beautiful, all-natural wood. [31 March 2008]

The Goldbergs: Under the Radar

Under the Radar comes off over the top in love. [28 March 2008]

Various Artists: Spirits in the Material World: A Reggae Tribute to the Police

It’s only fair for the reggae world to get a shot at Police songs, as there would likely have been no Police without them. [25 March 2008]

The Smiths: Inside The Smiths [DVD]

Two out of four The Smiths ain’t bad. But it certainly ain’t best. [4 March 2008]

Wire in the Blood: The Complete Fourth Season

Dr. Tony Hill – as much cop as psychiatrist -- reveals how profiling criminals can oftentimes be a messy business. [27 February 2008]

Romance & Cigarettes

Turturro has filled the screen with plenty of song, dance, and sex talk, but this is not your typical love story. [18 February 2008]

TAB the Band: Pulling Out Just Enough To Win

Play it in the car with all the windows down, and watch out for jealous stares. [14 February 2008]

The Drawbacks: Slightly Less Vague

It’s melodic, from beginning to end, well sung and played, and an overall delight. [30 January 2008]

Manchester Orchestra: What’s Left Behind

I’m not interested in what’s left behind; I want to know what’s ahead for this emerging act. [29 January 2008]

Various Artists: When Rhythm Was King

Long live the rhythm king! [24 January 2008]

Grafters: The Complete Second Season

Joe and Trevor are brothers and builders, trying to build stable lives along with their stable structures. [23 January 2008]

Steve Poltz: Traveling

This disc presents a fascinating artist.

Barenaked Ladies: Talk To The Hand

Listening to a Barenaked Ladies concert CD can sometimes be a little like Evening at the Improv, only with music. [17 January 2008]

The Steve Martin Triple Feature Collection

Steve Martin: From wild and crazy guy, to merely a mild mannered man. [16 January 2008]

Digby: Whats Not Plastic?

With sandpaper lead vocals, which sound a little like Rod Stewart at times, Kentucky’s Digby mixes a roots rock feel with sound melodic-pop instincts. [14 January 2008]

Passing on Values: Interview with Phil Vischer of VeggieTales

"You can’t just create a story for kids and promote slacker-ism. So I had to reshape their characters entirely and come up with a motive for them. What did they really want? They want to be heroes, but they have no idea how." [11 January 2008]

Down The Line: For All You Break

This is a bar band that doesn’t exhibit ambitions of being a slick concert group. Instead, they sing songs about real people, for real people.

Various Artists: Live Earth

Whether you’re behind the politics of it all or not, it’s hard not to enjoy the wide variety of good sounds packed into this package. [3 January 2008]

Various Artists: 10,000 Laughs

I don’t think everyone will laugh 10,000 times before it’s all over; your mileage may vary. But you’ll chuckle a lot, that’s for sure. [21 December 2007]

Wolfmother: Please Experience Wolfmother: Live [DVD]

Feel free to experience Wolfmother’s youthful first steps. Just know that the experience will likely change significantly as the trio grows and matures. [20 December 2007]

Gene Clark with Carla Olson: In Concert

For those who dig modern Americana and alt.country, but have not yet put their teeth into Gene Clark’s catalogue, this 26-song live collection is a real fine place to start. [13 December 2007]

Queen: Rock Montreal & Live Aid [DVD]

Instead of reinforcing why Queen and I originally went our separate ways, this show reminded me of why I fell in love with the band in the first place. [6 December 2007]

The Film Crew: The Giant of Marathon

This silly film mockery may lack the robots and space adventure associated with MST 3000, but because there are the same witty voices cracking all the jokes, it’s just as funny.

Various Artists: Home for Christmas

The natural sounding Home for Christmas: Voices from the Heartland is such a welcome addition to the seasonal music section of your CD rack. [5 December 2007]

Bob Mould: Bob Mould: Circle of Friends - Live at the 9:30 Club [DVD]

Bob Mould may have left his Husker Du band mates behind a long time ago, even temporarily abandoning the wonderful, guitar-heavy rock that first made him famous. But this live club show reveals he never lost his strong rock 'n' roll spirit. [3 December 2007]

Family Ties: The Second Season

Family Ties was like the little show that could. Without much comedic star power, it succeeded against the odds. [29 November 2007]

Everybody Hates Chris: The Second Season

Everybody hates stupidly predictable sitcoms, which is why anybody paying attention should simply love Everybody Hates Chris. [27 November 2007]

Josie and the Pussycats: The Complete Series

Hanna- Barbera promises pussycats. What we get are the contents of an overused litter box. [7 November 2007]

Iron & Wine: Boy with a Coin

Appreciating Iron & Wine is a little like conversing with somebody who whispers all the time; you must be ready to concentrate and listen intently, or else you'll miss everything. [6 November 2007]

Paul Anka: Classic Songs, My Way

Paul Anka gives his big band interpretations of radio hits a whole lot of sincere skill. [2 November 2007]

Various Artists: Putumayo Presents Americana

It's is Americana the beautiful, indeed. [31 October 2007]

Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ray Price: Last of the Breed [DVD]

These three graying men are the true, diehard troubadours. This concert DVD will surely bless your little heart if you happen to be the last of another breed: the traditional country music fan. [15 October 2007]

Marvin Gaye: Greatest Hits Live in 76 [DVD]

Marvin Gaye sure knew how to woo his audience. Although he exuded sexuality, it was his great songs that gave his shows substance. [27 September 2007]

The Byrds: The Byrds Under Review [DVD]

This documentary may not be an essential item for your DVD library, but because The Byrds are essential to rock history, it's worth a look. [26 September 2007]

The Kids in the Hall, Vol. 2: The Best Of

The Kids are alright, even though they’re also a little strange. [21 September 2007]

The Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 1

This was a special program that had all the adventure of a superhero program, without the kind of violent action that would scare a young child. [20 September 2007]

Various Artists: SXSW Live 2007 [DVD]

South By Southwest is a must-see festival for diehard music fans. This DVD won’t replace that experience, but it’ll at least give you a good taste. [19 September 2007]

Various Artists: Vintage Reggae Bash [DVD]

This DVD presents a fascinating picture of the depth and breadth of reggae music in the ‘80s. [17 September 2007]

Various Artists: Moogfest 2006 - Live [DVD]

This is cool, but only if you’re in the Moog for it. [13 September 2007]

Grafters - Complete First Season

This TV show is a labor of love (and other less desirable emotions). [6 September 2007]

The Association / Gary Lewis & the Playboys / Gary Puckett & the Union Gap: Pop Legends Live! Concer

This is a trio of clean cut summer of love artists even your great grandparents will dig. [5 September 2007]

Elvis Costello: Elvis Costello Live: A Case For Song [DVD]

A Case For Song is filled with plenty of convincing evidence that Elvis Costello is guilty, beyond the shadow of a doubt, of being one highly creative cat. [28 August 2007]

Raspberries: Raspberries Live On Sunset Strip

It’s been over 30 years since the Raspberries were first together, and unlike many other classic rock bands from that era, this is only their first reunion. They don’t sound like they've aged at all. [20 August 2007]

The Bangles: Return to Bangleonia: Live in Concert [DVD]

Not only is this a fine Bangles live performance; it’s also an informative introduction to a band that proved how girl bands could be just as good – and many times better – than the boys. [14 August 2007]

Peter Case: Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John

Peter Case and his acoustic guitar explore the underside of America. [7 August 2007]

Various Artists: New Arrivals: Volume 1 / New Arrivals Voume 2

These two CDs of relatively unknown musicians were compiled by MPress Records’ founder Rachael Sage. [31 July 2007]

Various Artists: Characters of Jazz

This is a solid collection of modern jazz with a British accent. [30 July 2007]

Various Artists: Toolroom Knights, Vol. 1

This two-CD set is broken down into one disc that features Martijn Ten Velden’s mixes, and the other made up of Paul Harris’ work. [27 July 2007]

Tim Love Lee: Coming Home

Lee has been described as an at ease hippie, and it’s easy to see why hippies can relax to this non-abrasive music. [24 July 2007]

Various Artists: On The Brink

The kind of CD you can picture Mike Meyers grooving to during one of his Austin Powers movies. [20 July 2007]

That 70s Show: Season Six

This season focuses mainly on character development, as slight as is, rather than era-specific humor. [19 July 2007]

Various Artists: Up and Dance! Updated

This various artist CD presents the Ostgut label’s attempt to combine modern electronic music with classic ballet. [17 July 2007]

Sandra Bernhard: Everything Bad & Beautiful

For those times when you’re in the mood to listen to a smart and talented woman bitch about the world, this CD contains plenty of Bernhard's beautiful badness to scratch that itch. [13 July 2007]

Judith Owen: Happy This Way

Judith Owen creates quiet musical sweetness; her songs are generally solemn and meditative. [9 July 2007]

The Low Miffs: Earl Grey / This Is The New

The Low Miffs will likely appeal to fans of Franz Ferdinand for their pop smarts. [6 July 2007]

Merle Haggard: In Concert 1983 [DVD]

A Merle Haggard show is one of the best concert dollar values today, just as it was in 1983. This DVD, however, is not. [26 June 2007]

Stryper: Greatest Hits - Live in Puerto Rico [DVD]

If you’ve ever wondered whatever happened to those glam metal-ers that mixed together Jesus and Spandex, this reunion concert will answer your question in brilliant black and yellow. [20 June 2007]

Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete First Season

This is an early stab at socio-political primetime animated comedy. [19 June 2007]

I Love Lucy - The Complete Seasons 7-9

General wisdom suggests that all sitcoms run out of creative steam long before season seven. But this set of later-period I Love Lucy episodes proves such a theory wrong. [14 June 2007]

The Drew Carey Show - The Complete First Season

Just like its lead character, The Drew Carey Show took on an unassuming, gentle spirit. His is the kind of character most average Americans would gladly have a beer with. [13 June 2007]

John Cleese Comedy Collection

Much like Fawlty Towers, this three-DVD collection finds John Cleese stepping outside the Monty Python troupe and all its unique historical / political obsessions, for a little straight comedy. [11 June 2007]

Siouxsie: Dreamshow: Live at the Royal Festival Hall with the Millennia Ensemble [DVD]

This concert DVD provides a career overview, in addition to a classy framework for Siouxsie’s music. [5 June 2007]

Minibar: Desert After Rain

With a sound less rambunctious than Old 97’s, vocalist Simon Petty fills these moody tunes with a likeable longing. [24 May 2007]

The Shake: Kick It

With all they’ve got going for them, who wouldn’t want to kick it with The Shake? [22 May 2007]

Various Artists: Zealous Records Presents Soul Sides, Volume Two: The Covers

Soul Sides helps connect the dots in ways no single record label could ever accomplish. Listen and you’ll get down and get funky in ways you may never have imagined.

Steven Wright: When the Leaves Blow Away

Exciting stuff from a not-so-excitable man. [3 May 2007]

Blue Oyster Cult: Spectres

To fully appreciate Blue Öyster Cult, you must view them in the context where they made their greatest mark. [2 May 2007]

The Johnny Carson Show

For those who take a Darwinian approach to evaluating entertainment, this package presents the evolution of America’s greatest late night talk show host, Johnny Carson, in his formative years. [19 April 2007]

Anjani: Blue Alert

Anjani is Leonard Cohen, had he been born a lovely woman with a beautiful singing voice, rather than as a croaky man. [9 April 2007]

Chris Knight: The Trailer Tapes

Chris Knight writes the sort of songs Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen would kill for; well worth investigating -- even if you won't know where to file his music once you locate it. [3 April 2007]

David Ball: Heartaches By The Number

Much like the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Heartaches By the Number is a sure winner, simply for its ingredients alone. [29 March 2007]

Elton John: Rocket Man: Number Ones

Without a doubt, Elton John is a rocket man who is still in ship shape. [26 March 2007]

Big Audio Dynamite: Big Audio Dynamite Live: E=Mc2 [DVD]

Although not exactly bad to the bone -- the way The Clash was -- Big Audio Dynamite was still a pretty darn good after-Clash gig for vocalist/guitarist Mick Jones. [23 March 2007]

Until June: Until June

Listening to Until June, it is easy to get swept up in this fine group's powerfully emotional melodies. [19 March 2007]

Oscar Peterson: Perfect Peterson

Calling any collection of music perfect is a little presumptuous. But while no musician is perfect, Oscar Peterson comes mighty close to flawless. [5 March 2007]

The High Llamas: Can Cladders

Until Sean O’Hagan is gutsy enough to put his feelings into the foreground, The High Llamas will remain little more than background music. [1 March 2007]

Electric Light Orchestra: Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue has the undiminished ability to break through the clouds with plenty of "Mr. Blue Sky" joy. [16 February 2007]

Various Artists: Rocky Balboa

Much like the fictional Rocky character, this movie music has staying power.

The Waltons - The Complete Fourth Season

The Waltons presented the ideal family dynamic, even when situations were less than ideal. [15 February 2007]

Ricky Jay: Ricky Jay Plays Poker

Ricky Jay Plays Poker contains a few noteworthy revelations; first and foremost, there are more songs about poker than you may imagine. [16 January 2007]

Bobby Darin: Seeing Is Believing [DVD]

Bobby Darin was truly a singer's singer. Those who only know a few of his more popular songs need to take a trip back in time and watch how he skillfully worked concert audiences. [12 January 2007]

Mary Mary + Take 6

Christmas can be a time for quiet reflection or loud partying. Of course, there's nothing wrong with doing both at once... [9 January 2007]

Switchfoot: Oh! Gravity.

Switchfoot's Johnathan Foreman is a wise observer, even if you don’t buy into his faith. [5 January 2007]

Whats New Scooby-Doo, Vol. 10 - Monstrous Tails

These new episodes look and feel a lot like the past Scooby-Doo stories in this long running cartoon, but they keep on entertaining. [4 January 2007]

Americas Funniest Home Videos

America’s Funniest Home Videos capture America’s real life Homer Simpson moments, but it's best taken in small doses. [21 December 2006]

Leigh Nash: Leigh Nash Remix Project

Aerobicizing Nash’s songs may be your idea of heaven. It’s just not mine. [20 December 2006]

Vince Gill: These Days

Four complete CDs is a healthy box set for many artists, but usually not a singular offering for most. Nevertheless, these days are certainly happy ones for Vince Gill fans. [18 December 2006]

Doug Powell: Four Seasons

Doug Powell is either an annoying mockingbird or an amazing chameleon, depending upon how you happen to feel about his music. [30 November 2006]

Cute Is What We Aim For: The Same Old Blood Rush With A New Touch

This group has much to say, but lacks the right words to say it all.

Transformers Armada: Season 1, Part 2

Hasbro toys may be great for the kids, but when it comes to creating a dramatic animated series, Transformers Armada should have been left at the bottom of the toy box. [29 November 2006]

Ellison: Say Goodnight, Sleep Alone

It is not an exact copy of another act, but Ellison's musical composite is an incredible simulation of many. [27 November 2006]

MXPX: Let’s Rock

MXPX rocks hard, and sometimes hardly rocks. [22 November 2006]

A Salute to Hee Haw: Collectors Edition

This TV DVD set presents the unlikely combination of bad jokes and great country music. You know you’re a 'redneck' if you fall over laughing at this cornball humor. But if you thrill at the classic music it presents, well, there’s nothing to be ashamed of about that. [7 November 2006]

Creature Comforts (2006)

Creature Comforts is an odd, fictional series where animated animals are interviewed man-on-the-street style. And sometimes, these animals – much like kids -- say the darndest things. [1 November 2006]

Weird Al Yankovic: Straight Outta Lynwood

Weird Al Yankovic's latest CD, Straight Outta Lynwood, will certainly appeal to nerds -- and the nerd in all of us (and perhaps even a few cool people, too). [18 October 2006]

Fairport Convention: Fairport Convention 35th Anniversary Concert [DVD]

Fairport Convention’s band membership may have been significantly different 35 years ago, but while the names have changed, the high musical quality has remained intact. [17 October 2006]

Various Artists: Irie Reggae Hits: Best of Dancehall

Document of a near-dead genre, this is a timecapsule at most. [18 September 2006]

Eric Matthews: Foundation Sounds

If you get off on the link between Aaron Copland and Eric Matthews, then more power to ya! But I'd rather build my house on good old solid rock (& roll), instead of Eric Matthews' Foundation Sounds. [12 September 2006]

Hem: Funnel Cloud

A Funnel Cloud may have touched down in Hem's world, but you'll walk away from this new work with the impression that all is well, or that it at least will be soon. [5 September 2006]

Candid Camera Greatest Moments

Smile, you're watching Candid Camera! [31 August 2006]

Stylemasters

Casual viewers may get that "sand kicked in the face" feeling from these too-cool-for-you surfers. [30 August 2006]

The Mary Tyler Moore Show: The Complete Fourth Season

Season four features less Moore, and more of Mary's supporting cast. But this expansive view is a good thing. [14 August 2006]

Tommy Keene: Crashing the Ether

Crashing the Ether is better than a lot of Keene's output over the last few decades, although it's not the masterpiece some of the singer / songwriter's best songs have hinted at. [31 July 2006]

Dave Alvin: West of the West

Dave Alvin is like a history teacher with a guitar. But instead of penning his own history textbook, he's given us lessons through other people's words with this CD. If history was this entertaining back when I attended high school, I probably wouldn't have fallen asleep so often in class. [26 July 2006]

M*A*S*H Season Ten: Collector’s Edition

For those not already familiar with the good old 4077th, its seasons with single digits are always the best places to start any new tour of duty. Few will be disappointed by this set. [25 July 2006]

Various Artists: Alligator Records 35X35

In 1971, US astronauts drove a Moon Rover along the lunar surface, Phillips introduced a crazy little thing called the VCR, and -- oh yeah -- Alligator Records released a Hound Dog Taylor LP, thus entering the blues music business.

Heartbreaker by John Meyer

Meyer pulls no punches when he describes Garland's ravenous need for Ritalin and vodka. Still, it never feels like he's just reaching for cheap, gossipy prose. [19 July 2006]

Run Run Run:  Endless Winter

The group Run Run Run hearkens back to the shoegazer age, which was a short-lived musical era. In fact, its stylistic description says more about the bored musicians that played it, then the sound itself. [14 July 2006]

David Ford: I Sincerely Apologize For All The Trouble I’ve Caused

David Ford answers the hypothetical question: What would happen if Elvis Costello possessed James Taylor’s body? [3 July 2006]

Celebrity: Mining For Twilight

Those only famous for being famous get People cover shots just for farting, it seems, while underrated groups like Celebrity pass under the radar screen unnoticed. But Mining for Twilight is too good to ignore.

Chieftains: The Essential Chieftains

When it comes to Irish music, the Chieftains fit the "Essential" in this CD's title. [12 June 2006]

Teddy Pendergrass: Teddy! Live in ‘79 [DVD]

Teddy Pendergrass in concert is also Teddy Pendergrass at his best, because he's a performer who simply thrives on audience interaction. [26 May 2006]

Danielson: Ships

Moms often say to their kids, "How do you know you won’t like it? You haven’t even tried it." Danielson, however, is something you may not like -- even after ingesting this healthy morsel of music. [24 May 2006]

Andy Kaufman: Wrestling with the American Dream by Florian Keller

Andy Kaufman was not a traditional comedian, actor, or performance artist. He was a silly and many times ominous provocateur, instead. [17 May 2006]

Soledad Brothers: The Hardest Walk

Soledad Brothers are blooming into a great rock and roll band right before our eyes. [10 May 2006]

The Sisters of Mercy + The Warlocks

Stick with this year's model. These old sisters have no mercy. [25 April 2006]

Marshall Crenshaw

Melodic hits from a friendly dealer... [5 April 2006]

Daddy Yankee: Barrio Fino En Directo

Daddy Yankee has had much success leading the big reggaeton parade, but there's just no telling if this (Daddy) Yankee doodle dandy is truly here to stay. [4 April 2006]

Waylon Jennings: Live From Austin TX [DVD]

It's hard to go wrong with a DVD comprised of Waylon Jennings playing a healthy collection of his best songs. [24 March 2006]

Stoned (2005)

Brian Jones appears to be diligently practicing infidelity and abusing alcohol throughout.

Kris Kristofferson: This Old Road

Kris Kristofferson is back writing and performing his own songs again, God bless him. But until he restores his lyrical palate completely to its expansive B.A. (before acting) state, he still won't be entirely all the way back. [7 March 2006]

Various Artists: Invite Them Up [CD + DVD]

This set finds Comedy Central in the role of a comedy farm system.

King Tutankhamun: The Mystery Unsealed

The never ending mystery of King Tut's life and death is explored here. [2 March 2006]

Bloc Party: God Bless Bloc Party [DVD]

Bloc Party just might be receiving a few premature blessings here. [16 February 2006]

The Best of the Electric Company

This Electric Company retrospective displays the lasting power of entertaining education. [15 February 2006]

Benny Hill Complete and Unadulterated - The Hill’s Angels Years, Set Four (1978-1981)

This is a large collection of Benny Hill's TV work, which is only fit for people that never tire of naughty humor. [2 February 2006]

Sonic Youth: Koncertas Stan Brakhage Prisiminimui Su Tim Barnes

This is a disc that shows off the avant-garde side of Sonic Youth [30 January 2006]

The Small Faces: Under Review [DVD]

There's a big story behind these Small Faces.

Various Artists: Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945-1970 Volume Two

Nashville musicians know how to get down, even if they're not getting down at a hoedown. [19 January 2006]

45 Grave: Only the Good Die Young

This group continues to prove that death is never the end. [18 January 2006]

The Eagles: Eagles - Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne [DVD]

The Eagles may not be traveling in the fast lane any longer, but there are still a lot of good miles left on this sturdy winged vehicle. [9 January 2006]

Family Guy, Volume 3

Whereas All in the Family was all about the troubling racism and personal politics of the time, Family Guy takes on many of these same topics and then blurts them out like a tactless guy at a party that says exactly what he's thinking, without even a second thought about self-censorship. [6 January 2006]

Queen: Queen: Under Review 1973-1980 [DVD]

Here's a documentary that takes an almost CSPAN approach to discussing a rock band. [3 January 2006]

Vegoose Festival

Las Vegas is an old-school casino town, better known for bad lounge music and half-naked showgirls than anything else. Of course, all things eventually change, right? [16 December 2005]

Various Artists: Crunk Hits

Crunk Hits offers up an exploration of the crunk music enigma, whatever it is. [13 December 2005]

Thrice + Underoath

In one corner, looking fit and trim, was Underoath, and on the opposing side, slightly heavier, stood Thrice. Who would be the night's heavy hitter? [8 December 2005]

The Dick Cavett Show—Ray Charles Collection

It's no secret that Dick Cavett loved Ray Charles' music.

Zippo Tour Featuring The All-American Rejects + The Academy Is…

These Warped warriors are aiming at the stadium set. Will they make it? Only time will tell. [7 December 2005]

Ute Lemper: Blood & Feathers - Live from the Café Carlyle [DVD]

Who says you can't expand the boundaries of cabaret? Just watch Ute Lemper push the envelope here. [5 December 2005]

Alice Cooper: Good to See You Again, Alice Cooper [DVD]

It's good to see you again too, Alice, but we'd much rather see you rock out than joke around. [16 November 2005]

John Lennon: Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon

John Lennon may not be a true 'working class hero', but he is still a heroic figure, nevertheless. [15 November 2005]

Neil Diamond

Diamond may not be as restless as he used to be but the momentum he generated in the early part of his career has kept him in constant -- albeit continually slower -- motion. [31 October 2005]

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers + Jackson Browne

When you've been in the business for as long as these guys, you can do whatever the hell you want. Of course, that can be a good thing... [2 September 2005]

San Diego Street Scene, Day One Featuring: The White Stripes, The Killers, Louis XIV, and Garbage

What can you make of a festival that's called a 'street scene' but instead sprawls across a large stadium parking lot? [19 August 2005]

Brendan Benson + Robbers on High Street

How hard can it be to create enjoyable hook-filled pop-rock? I mean really... [16 August 2005]

Sounds of the Underground Tour Featuring: Lamb of God + Clutch + Gwar + Every Time I Die + Devildri

While there were long-hairs and Flying V-shaped guitars aplenty, this was hardly a one-trick pony afternoon. [12 August 2005]

Paul Anka

questioned the audience: 'Anybody remember Nirvana?' No, but I remember Sinatra... [22 July 2005]

KIIS-FM’s Wango Tango Featuring Gwen Stefani, Ludacris, Lindsey Lohan, The Backstreet Boys and More

Wango Tango will never be confused with anything meaty. But, then, the vegetarian's delight can be tasty at times. [3 June 2005]

Velvet Revolver + Hoobastank

They may have minimized the [19 April 2005]

Ian Hunter (Ex-Mott The Hoople)

Forget what you know, drop the glam and allow Ian to enter. Why? Because all the misplaced glitter has finally rubbed off. [22 March 2005]

Blogs

Consuming Consumables: Elton John - Rocket Man: Number Ones [$13.98] [10 December 2007]