Sam Phillips has been at this for a long time; a singer-songwriter who knows the value of taking the time to craft her work to a fine polish. On Push…
Rob Ross
1030 Articles
Rob Ross has been, for good, bad or indifferent, involved in the music industry for over 30 years - first as guitarist/singer/songwriter with The Punch Line, then as freelance journalist, producer and manager to working for independent and major record labels. He resides in Staten Island, New York with his wife and cats; he works out a lot, reads voraciously, loves Big Star and his orange Gretsch. Doesn't that make him neat?
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Rob Ross
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This album actually came out in 2006, but as it is an undiscovered gem, I wanted to give it exposure. I was hipped to this album by the lovely Deirdre…
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Rob Ross
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I’ll get right to the point: this album is wonderful. Richard X. Heyman, the New Jersey-native/guitar legend delivers on every level with this, his tenth solo album, appropriately titled X. …
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This Chicago native makes his solo debut on Bar/None with The Year Of No Returning; a fine effort that immediately made me smile. This is a darkly funny album, intended…
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Released on August 27th, Bella Ciao is the fifth album by Barbez, a Brooklyn-based collective, led by avant-guitarist Dan Kaufman. The basis of the music lies in an eclectic mixture…
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Rob Ross
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A wonderfully warm and melodic new album from the core trio of Hannah Marcus, David Grubbs and novelist Rick Moody – rich in its simplicity with acoustic guitars, understated drums,…
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Indeed – Sound The Alarm is an apt title for an artist with the legend and magnitude of the great Booker T. Jones. Back on Stax Records, the label whose…
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As what is presumably the last of the incredible Rhino releases from the archives of The Monkees’ studio works, The Monkees Present is one of the most fascinating since it’s…
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So it came to pass that Maxwell’s in Hoboken closed on July 31st. This was difficult for me to digest, even after ample time had gone by since it was…
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I can’t lie. I love this album. Never mind that it’s Grant Hart, who never fails to deliver interesting and complete pieces of work when he releases something new –…
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I loved these two albums when they first came out in 1984 and 1986, respectively, through the good folks at A&M Records. This Atlanta band had that wonderful mix of…
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The Teardrop Explodes were as important to me as The Jam. Equally painful was their split at the same time as The Jam. Except The Teardrop never received the respect,…
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Rob Ross
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I’ve written about this movie previously, but now, with the film making its national premiere in theaters, on InDemand and iTunes on July 3rd, I had the opportunity to ask…
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This Seattle-based 3 piece pleases with this fine effort. Great sounding; has a very early-to-mid ’70’s feel which is fine with me. “Amy” is a quality starter; good, soulful and…
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Rob Ross
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Tasty riffs – good production and catchy songs put this band on my radar now. Starting off with “Here I Go”, this album is chock full of class-A/classic American power-pop…
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Rob Ross
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I don’t know why or what it is, but now this is the second new band I’ve heard in a week who seems to have used Big Star as a…
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Rob Ross
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This 12-track collection of lush rock melodies and introspective wordsmithery is the brainchild of Minneapolis’ Jon Herchert. Clean, “full” production and warmth made this a pleasure to take in. Of…
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Rob Ross
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Chris Stamey is the embodiment of the “thinking person’s musician”. His career is epic and storied: first as a member of The Sneakers with friend Mitch Easter, to playing bass…
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Rob Ross
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How can you miss with a title like Songs About Cars, Space and The Ramones? You can’t, especially if you’re Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ – who are back, yet again, with…
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Rob Ross
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What can be said about two legends getting together to combine forces on a double album? Beach Boys lyricist Stephen Kalinich and producer/musician/journalist Jon Tiven (with production help from no…
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I could go on for hours and I probably will about The Jam. Anyone who knows me knows how vital, important, sacred this band was to me. Next to The…
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I’m not sure why – I can’t put my finger on it, but this is a special album. Released during the long and sometimes dreary winter months, this album immediately…
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Rob Ross
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I first heard this track when I reviewed The Lonelyhearts’ new album, Years In The Great Interior. Now director Chris Ford adds a nice touch with this warm video for…
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Rob Ross
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Hearing that The Rain Parade had reunited towards the end of 2012 filled me with no end of joy. Sure, it’s been 30 years since I first bought Emergency Third…
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Originally released in 1990 as Remarks: The Story Of R.E.M. (and subsequently updated, minus the photos, as Remarks Remade in 2002), Perfect Circle is the fitting, final written chapter of…