Last night the wind knocked out my internet access for a good couple of hours. I used my time away from the web to take a complete and uninterrupted listen to Buddy & Julie Miller’s Written In Chalk , released last week on New West Records. Recorded in Nashville, TN and including guest ap...

It’s hard to believe the Pitchfork Music Festival is going on it’s 4th year. It’s definitely one of our favorites. It’s got all the big names, less space to cover, affordable food and drink prices, and it’s only a short trip from Milwaukee! Per usual, the festival offer...

Thus far, hip-hop album of the year belongs to Never Better by P.O.S. Missing the last month’s show at the High Noon Saloon in Madison was hard enough, then Jodi comes through with our review of the Chicago show and here I sit full of regret. Oh well, I’ve got the album and the pretty sw...

“I’ve seen him silence an entire room full (300 or so) of gossip prone drinkers/hipsters/rock-n-rollers/show-goers/tattooees and etc. types of folks in Chicago and put a good many of them on the verge of tears, with exuberant applause after every song. It was beautiful. Just one guy, one ins...

As I’m rounding third and coming home to the conclusion of the Neil Young bio Shakey , I’m reminded of the above collaboration featuring Neil Young + Pearl Jam from the MTV Music Awards circa 1993. Somewhere I have a well-worn VHS tape with the same footage. I must have played it a hundr...

I walked away from Scott H. Biram’s set at Austin City Limits last year a true believer. It was hot and sweaty and barely past noon. I was nursing a hangover with a steady intake of ice cold Heineken. That’s the ACL way, or at least our way. His music is gritty, raw, and in your face. He...

By Pete Donahue For a person who has recently really gotten into Beirut, the release of the March of the Zapotec and Holland EP’s couldn’t have come at a better time. Unfortunately, Zach Condon lost me at the March. A collection of six songs recorded in Mexico with the Jimenez Band, the ...

Made the trek to Chicago last night with some friends to catch Blitzen Trapper’s early show at the Empty Bottle. It was my second time seeing the band and my first time at the venue. How great are early shows? Seriously. My adoration for Blitzen Trapper on record is evident in naming of Furr a...

My history with Portland, Oregon’s Weinland runs deep. In 2006, they were going by the name John Weinland, put out one helluva record, Deversville , and followed it up with last year’s La Lamentor . Both remarkable, both come with my highest recommendation. I begged them to play in Madis...

If you follow me on Twitter you’re sure to be familiar with my current infatuation with Iran’s Dissolver. The album was released digitally this week and gets a proper physical release next week. Led by Aaron Aites, whose vocals provide the most perfect overlay to some of Kyp Malone’...