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Various Artists: Run the Road Volume 2
It works as a fun soundtrack to a dimly-lit, vodka and Red Bull drenched basement party. But if you really want to kick the party into gear, the album’s older brother is still the one to podcast.
David Marchese
08 Feb 2006
Music
The Darkness: One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back
Simply put, rock and roll don't get no realer as we hit the home stretch of the new millennium's first decade.
David Marchese
13 Dec 2005
Music
Robert Wyatt & Friends: Theatre Royal Drury Lane 8th September 1974
A rare breed of musician who is forever alive to the possibility of new opportunities and forever blind to the existence of obstacles.
David Marchese
08 Dec 2005
Music
Cat Stevens: Gold
Stevens was once of the biggest, most beloved musical stars in the world. Gold, a new two-disc compilation of his work is a useful reminder of why that was.
David Marchese
29 Nov 2005
Music
John Coltrane: The Bethlehem Years
His work in Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk's bands from the same era feature much more exploratory, innovative, and passionate playing.
David Marchese
06 Nov 2005
Reviews
Dirty Three
are a working band and can't survive by just playing for an audience of one.
David Marchese
02 Nov 2005
Reviews
Jimmy Scott + Savion Glover
It's difficult to connect something as terrestrially mundane as aging to this strange little man and his sad, enchanting voice...
David Marchese
06 Oct 2005
Music
The Velvet Underground: Gold
Every track is going to absolutely slay you, but there's so much more to be had. You can buy this album if you want, but you have to promise me you'll buy their other ones too.
David Marchese
03 Oct 2005
Music
Various Artists: The Rough Guide to the Music of Sudan
While Sudanese music may not yet have the cultural cache of some of its geographic neighbors, don't wait for the cultural cognoscenti to check your passport. The border's open.
David Marchese
07 Sep 2005
Music
Frontier Index: Frontier Index
By demonstrating their willingness to expand upon as well as respect the boundaries of country music, Frontier Index have positioned themselves as musicians intent on scrubbing off the stink of formaldehyde that pervades so much alt-country.
David Marchese
06 Sep 2005
Music
A Colossus Nears the End of the Road: Sonny Rollins at 75
It's not often you get a chance to speak with a legend. Forgive the upcoming hyperbole; Sonny Rollins deserves it.
David Marchese
25 Aug 2005
Music
Various Artists: Putumayo Presents Mali
Almost every track feels like a signpost pointing me in a direction I'd like to travel, but then the song ends and I must keep moving. It is a bewildering experience.
David Marchese
25 Aug 2005
Culture
Pizza Pizza
Taking a large, appreciative bite of bland consistency and ubiquitous uniformity, one writer challenges refined taste to prove an old adage right and discover a slice of identity.
David Marchese
09 Aug 2005
Music
Babatunde Olatunji: Circle of Drums
If you're not already a fan of relatively unadorned tribal drumming, large sections of the album may sound repetitive and boring, but ultimately there is nothing on this disc that shames the memory of the great Babatunde Olatunji.
David Marchese
27 Jul 2005
Music
Richard Thompson: Live From Austin, TX
While 'Live' is not the jaw-dropping Richard Thompson live album that must exist somewhere on tape, it has plenty to remind people why Thompson remains one of music's most talented -- and criminally underappreciated -- artists.
David Marchese
25 Jul 2005
Music
James Blood Ulmer: Birthright
To hear Ulmer sing so nakedly about sex, race, and religion while playing such dusty music makes for a striking juxtaposition -- and is a strong case for the continued relevance of blues music.
David Marchese
14 Jul 2005
Music
It's Just Honest Music: An Interview with Geezer Butler
The Black Sabbath bassist and GZR frontman goes from politicians to skulls in just two degrees.
David Marchese
12 Jul 2005
Music
Dr. John: The Best of the Parlophone Years
If this was the best the good Doctor could muster he'd be far less important than he is. Fortunately there's considerably more best in the rest of his catalogue to choose from.
David Marchese
30 Jun 2005
Music
The Dave Brubeck Quartet: London Flat, London Sharp
As technically proficient as ever, Brubeck's latest is too cool and too clean to be anything more than pleasant.
David Marchese
19 Jun 2005
Music
Solomon Burke: Live at the House of the Blues / Soul of the Blues
There are moments on these albums befitting a man with the title 'the King of Rock 'N' Soul', but there are plenty more that would be better suited to a Blues Brother.
David Marchese
09 Jun 2005
Music
Sloan: A Sides Win - Singles 1992-2005
The band's greatest albums may not even match the best of The New Pornographers or Teenage Fanclub, but narrow the competition down to singles and they've got at least a puncher's chance.
David Marchese
06 Jun 2005
Music
Hunchin' in Heaven
Backwoods rockabilly one-man-band Hasil Adkins earned the name 'the Wild man' for his raw, impulsive performances. Many called him a lunatic, but it's more accurate to simply call him American.
David Marchese
30 May 2005
Music
Roky Erickson: I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology
Erickson's status as a cult legend is based in large part on his sci-fi rockers, but to dismiss this portion of his music as lunatic kitsch would be a grave error.
David Marchese
09 May 2005
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