“Reined in” are words that probably haven’t been used to describe music by Slipknot, the costume-clad kings of noise. Lead singer Corey Taylor chuckles after he catches himself using that phrase in reference to Slipknot’s forthcoming album, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses. “The album is a really good amalgam of…
A year ago, L.A.-based producer/DJ Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton probably couldn’t have imagined doing a track for Jay-Z, hip-hop’s Frank Sinatra. Neither could Jay-Z, as it turns out. Instead, Burton made an irresistible album with Brooklyn MC Jemini (hip-hop’s Mel Torm?) and called it Ghetto Pop Life, which was appropriate,…
So far, it’s been mostly disaffected techno kids who have been conjuring up this ’80s renaissance that we’re enjoying (or is it a Dark Ages that we’re mired in?). The Lovemakers, on the other jelly-braceleted hand, come out of Oakland, California’s indie rock scene, and present themselves more as a…
Phoenix once again welcomes one of the 20 regional Technics/DMC World DJ Championship rounds, the first stop on the path to the world title for scratch fanatics. You already know the names of past world champions — Mixmaster Mike, Q-Bert, Swamp, Craze — but if you want to check out…
The Neon Philharmonic can blame its commercial failure on the same malignant spirit that regularly sends the catchiest, craftiest stuff skidding into the bargain bin of history. Only “Morning Girl” made it onto the radio (#17, 1969), and it’s a vivid summary of the style: orchestral pop in the mode…
Top 10 sellers at Zia Record Exchange (3851 East Thunderbird Road, 602-482-3119) for April 26 through May 2: 1. Various Artists, Rock Against Bush (Fat Wreck Chords) 2. Fear Factory, Archetype (Liquid 8) 3. D12, D12 World (Shady Records) 4. Kottonmouth Kings, Fire It Up (Suburban Noize) 5. Modest Mouse,…
A new monthly Brit Pop/indie/New Wave night, Trash!, debuts this Saturday with a maudlin splash, previewing the new full-length LP by mope master Morrissey, titled You Are the Quarry. Trash!, unlike most dance nights around the ‘Nix, will feature live bands at each installment, along with DJ Manchester’s Cockney sound…
With 2002’s Medicated Magic, this group of ebullient New Orleans R&B vets broke through to a new audience hungry for the type of traditional sounds peddled by young musical neocons like Norah Jones (who actually contributed vocals to the disc’s “Ruler of My Heart”); the Brass Band’s party-hearty jazz-funk isn’t…
D.R. Wilke, with gray hair, wire-rimmed glasses and an ASU alumni tee shirt, and Paul Taylor, with short curly locks and a white Izod polo, grab a balcony table at the Gordon Biersch brewery nestled atop the Mill Avenue Starbucks and are quickly greeted by a young waiter clutching four…
The last couple weeks have been sheer torture on the ears. See, this coming weekend I’m turning 30, and in an effort to ensure that I’m not losing touch with what the kids are rocking, I’ve been immersing myself in what may be the most obnoxious genre of music ever:…
The Cold Vein, New York hip-hop duo Cannibal Ox’s 2001 debut, served as a kind of lightning rod in the battle between underground and mainstream hip-hop that’s ravaged the form since approximately 1612. Packed with MCs Vast Aire and Vordul Megilah’s hyper-textual braggadocio and produced by Def Jux honcho El-P,…
While other New York bands write historical fiction based in the smoky barrooms of the New Wave era, French Kicks are engaged in a romantic fantasy that takes place in the studio. Indie music, much less rock in general, is rarely so produced and resolutely hi-fi as The Trial of…
Fifty years from now, when some young rapper’s delivering Eminem’s introduction speech at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, he or she will no doubt celebrate Marshall Mathers’ nearly unparalleled knack for conflating the comedic and the tragic. Maybe the Hall will even screen 8 Mile with a…
Two years ago, Ms. Holland sat in her bedroom with a couple of friends to demo up a couple of sophisticated folk tunes and make a CD she could sell from the edge of the stage at gigs. She called it Catalpa, and her fans quickly began burning copies and…
Cops and white men beware: Dead Prez has secured another record deal and is ready to unleash its onslaught once again. Four years ago, the act’s debut, Let’s Get Free, criticized the government, the school system, the police force and other artists for using music to talk about nonsense. MCs…
For as much sadness and turmoil as there’s been in the Stereolab camp these past couple of years — the death of singer/keyboardist Mary Hansen following a bicycle accident in 2002; the divorce of founding members Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier shortly before — you’d never really know it from…
You’d think Lee Burik, guitarist and co-founder of the San Francisco quintet evening, would have already gotten his fill of meeting people. Not only is he in a buzz band on the cusp of national recognition — which brings around the requisite fans, friends, friends of friends, groupies, hangers-on, stalkers,…
My job just got infinitely more difficult. See, I just got word that Freedom, the dance-music mecca in Tempe, is closing its doors at the end of May. This is a pain in my ass because I write a little feature called “Needle Exchange” spotlighting a different DJ/turntablist performance every…
The electroclash scene isn’t dead yet. Or if it is, then nobody told Felix da Housecat. Once a Chicago house DJ who was huge in Europe and barely noticed in the States, Felix arrived in 2002 with one of nouveau synth-pop’s finest platters, Kittenz and Thee Glitz. And his latest…
Ben Kweller could be America’s answer to Australia’s Ben Lee, who, like Kweller, made news in the ’90s with his teen band (Noise Addict as opposed to Kweller’s Silverchair clone, Radish). He also has a cute, moppish look, and purveys a gentle, slightly goofy, lovelorn lyricism. Except nobody knows who…
As morose and hopeless as ever, indie-rock Jesus-follower David Bazan (the key songwriter and only permanent member of Pedro the Lion) has crafted another stunning, despondent record with Achilles’ Heel. Fairly unique among indie and emo whiners, Bazan is a devout Christian. But rather than preach a clean lifestyle or…
Quannum Projects (originally called Solesides) is like the Paul Masson of hip-hop collectives (“We’ll sell no beats and rhymes before their time”). Fans of the esteemed Bay Area crew know that many moons may pass before its charter members turn out new music: Lyrics Born’s recent Later That Day …
