ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit , by Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit There’s something satisfying about watching a performer mature before your eyes. Though Jason Isbell has long been a Twangville favorite, his latest showcases his tremendous growth as a songwriter and perfo...

I keep saying this is a great year for music, and it is, and some of the reviews below continue to reflect that fact, but some of them merely showcase solidly average offerings. And one review is of a disc I really wish the artist could recall since it sullies my fond memories of their earlier effor...

CONCERTS In case you were wondering what this year's official summer jam might be, wonder no more: A few days ago, People unveiled a taste of New Kids On the Block's comeback single, "Summertime," and as the title suggests, it is indeed all about the summertime, or, perhaps more accurately...

///Chicago's Smoking Popes will be going with Flameshovel Records for their follow-up to 1997's Destination Failure. It's called Stay Down and you can here a couple of songs on their MySpace. [Thanks, PFork] ///The Silver Jews will be releasing their......

GOP gazillioniare Mitt Romney showed up at the funeral of the Mormon President, Gordon B. Hinckley, in Salt Lake City on Saturday, but his last-minute campaigning didn’t help. Today, the Church of Latter Day Saints announced a new president/prophet guy, and this president’s name isn̵...

LJ Interests meme results blur:Mmm, Blur. The best band to come out of the mid-90's Britpop explosion (except for Pulp). elliott smith:I absolutely love Elliott Smith. He was an extremely personal, touching lyricist, and he is greatly missed. hellboy:Love, love, love "Hellboy." My favorite issue was...