This 432-page tome is a loving tribute to City Gardens, the legendary (to many) but often overlooked club in Trenton, New Jersey that was crucial to the then-burgeoning punk-to-hardcore punk…
Rob Ross
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Rob Ross
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This wonderful documentary tells the story of the U.K.-based label which gave the world “indie” music at its defined best and a slew of bands that have now become legendary….
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Rob Ross
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Once again, the venerable Atlanta rockers deliver their fourth new e.p. release since 2012; Songs For The Turntable is a sonic blast that kicks the New Year off in top…
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Having been sent this album by Salisbury – created by guitarist/singer/songwriter Eric Lysaght – after listening, I am grateful for something to take away the sting of cold winter nights. …
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Rob Ross
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A name I’ve heard over time but had never actually listened to, musically. Jobriath (real name Bruce Campbell) was supposed to be a “star” when he signed a $500,000.00 dollar…
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To me, the music of Stax Records, the seminal soul music label from Memphis, has always been sacred, from the time I was a child. All of my life, Stax…
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Rob Ross
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I never cared about/for or paid much attention to the “riot grrl” movement (or any musical movements/”flavor of the moment”) in the early ’90’s, nor did I have any interest…
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Rob Ross
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So the enigmatic former frontman for The Smiths – and solo star for a quarter century – finally gave in and wrote his “tell all” autobiography. And in truth, to…
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I’m not sure how one could describe the music of the French duo Alcest. Maybe “ambient metal” – maybe “nouveau dark metal shoegazers”. Maybe neither is fair. But there is…
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FINALLY… the story of England’s Dr. Feelgood – the seminal pub-rock band who were the crucial bridge to the beginnings of punk rock – is finally available in the United…
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Quality documentary about what could be considered the musical flashpoint to hip-hop’s rhythmic beginnings. Narrated by Gene Simmons, Sample This is the story of how Michael Viner, a music industry…
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I’ve been unbelievably fortunate to have the opportunity to hear/be exposed to new artists who know how to craft great pop material in the tradition of those performers who I’ve…
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Breakneck tempos, the sound of a stuck CD, deep “metallic” bass with old-fashioned hardcore punk guitars – such is the delivery of Japan’s Melt Banana on this, their tenth album,…
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This fifth release (hence, titled Moistboyz 5) from Pennsylvania’s Moistboyz (featuring Ween’s Mickey Melchiondo as Mickey Moist) has a great, straightforward ROCK-ness to it. From the opening track “Protect And…
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It’s not often that I enjoy music videos – but when I do, I feel it necessary to help give them exposure. And it would be unprofessional of me to…
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Rob Ross
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Once again, author Heather Augustyn hits hard and deep, this time with her study of a forgotten musical legend – Jamaican trombonist Don Drummond. Acknowledged by many but heard of…
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New Jersey “all stars”, Speed The Plough are wonderfully represented here with this retrospective that looks over their now 30-plus years career (courtesy of the fine folks at Bar None…
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Rob Ross
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There’s nothing more pleasing – especially in a day and age where concert ticket prices are criminally high – than to get your money’s worth and then some from a…
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In the words of my wife, “it came off like a strange mistake of a movie”. And in a nutshell, that sums it up. This ill-conceived, misinformed and poorly executed…
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The Butterfly Ate The Pearl is the fifth album from English singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Andria Degens, who goes by the moniker Pantaleimon. This is an interesting and riveting collection of soundscapes, melody…
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This Jersey Shore trio of power-popsters are another find, courtesy of Deirdre Gilmartin’s The Independent Stage radio program and quite a find they are. It may be inappropriate to say…
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Does Ezra Furman ever get tired? No sooner than The Year Of No Returning appears, he (along with the fine folks at Bar None) delivers Day Of The Dog, an…
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Ska: The Rhythm Of Liberation is a very serious study of the upbeat, rhythm-based music that was born in Jamaica. While other books have been written about the “2 Tone”…
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Rob Ross
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This double CD compilation by England’s Smoke Fairies – Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies – is a delightful gathering of early material. Rich with harmonies, guitars, melody and nods towards…
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Rob Ross
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Seeing The Bongos live is always a joyful event. But last night was the first time I had the chance to see them on the heels of a new album…
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Rob Ross
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This autobiography from the Hollies/Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young mainstay isn’t your standard book of revelations. It is one of those rare musical life reflections that, although dishing some “dirt”,…
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This Portland, Oregon trio – Carolyn Berk, Emily Kingan and Kerby Ferris – bring a strongly rhythmic, atmospheric 7th album. Themes of love, longing and loneliness permeate the lyrics. The…
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Mud Sharks is the first novel written by former Adam & The (original) Ants and Bow Wow Wow drummer Dave Barbarossa and it is a remarkable debut. A powerful story…
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When I spoke with Richard Barone back in February, we covered a lot of topics, one of which was the unreleased Bongos album, Phantom Train. At the time, it seemed…
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It’s no secret that Alex Chilton is one of my heroes. So this unexpected release is a happy reminder of what made this late musical giant so great. The story…