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In: Interviews, Ivan and Alyosha, Ivan and Alyosha - Great Scott
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(L to R, copyright Jose Mandojana: Tim Wilson, Ryan Carbary, Tim Kim, Pete Wilson) It’s all acoustic. And with Ivan and Alyosha, that’s all they need: the foursome from Seattle take wing upon crisp guitars, soulful harmonies, and general good feeling. With some good press on their side, we’re feeling that their current Fathers Be Kind EP portends a similarly stunning debut full-length, due out early next year. Be sure to catch them in Allston, MA at Great Scott (11-30-11, doors at 9p), as it seems likely they’ll need to try their new material on the crowd. Tim Wilson and co. trek through the ruggedRead More →

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In: _CD Reviews 2011, _Four or More 2011, Album Reviews, Recommended
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Freddie Hubbard – “Pinnacle: from Keystone Korner”Resonance Records-out now4.5 / 5 Wow. Let’s just say that first. One of the most blazing jazz trumpeters in the history of the music comes back from the vaults with this posthumous live release from San Fran. Next, let’s get this out of the way: the sound quality is maybe 3.5/5. It’s recorded live, some 30 years old. Get over it. Now, onto the juice of the matter: Pinnacle is pure gold. We don’t feature jazz often enough, and Hubbard blasts through with “The Intrepid Fox,” tearing a veritable hole in our eardrums – in a good, earth-shattering wayRead More →

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In: _Concert Reviews
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One of our favorite (relative) unknowns, Austin, Texans White Denim took the part of first opener to Manchester Orchestra. The rock quartet – that’s how you know they’re tough to describe, basically ‘rock’ must suffice – pounded out a graceful act, starting in on “Street of Joy,” with vocalist James Petralli pulling from the mic, filling the air with the color in his voice. (Check out that awesome blur effect in the pic c/o Matt Lacorazza; L to R – Austin Jenkins, Josh Block, Steve Terebecki, James Petralli) The foursome cut a clean, gorgeous performance on this one, and drummer Josh Block enjoyed the heckRead More →

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In: _Concert Reviews, Cate Le Bon - Royale in Boston
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A long-haired brunette came on stage, dressed in a black, short-sleeved shirt, black tights. The stage lights accented her high cheekbones, cut softly, feminine yet harsh. A crowd of St. Vincent fans, ranging in their early 20s to 30s, seemed intent on the headliner, whose distinctive angular songcraft and wild rockstar attitude would  woo the crowd already desperate for her. But Le Bon, a relative unknown to the Boston crowd (already they were chatting, perhaps wondering who this woman was; when was Annie Clark’s act to come on?) strummed the first few notes on her wood-grained electric guitar, strange, out-of-place notes except for their distinctRead More →