CD Review: Tumbledown House — Fables and Falsehoods; Play Twain’s, April 19

Tumbledown House Fables and Falsehoods Silent Coyote Music By Al Kaufman Welcome to the Roaring ’20s, in all its sexy, boozy, violent glory. Montana’s Tumbledown House are so fresh and exciting because they do old so well. Vocalist Gillian Howe and jazz guitarist Tyler Ryan Miller have surrounded themselves with all sorts of cool cats, […]

Live Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, April 10

By Stephanie Roman Trusting his senses, Anthony Kiedis scans the crowd and notes: “Everything feels good here tonight — looks right, smells right.” Rocking out since 1983, the Chili Peppers’ tribal beat goes on. The band’s longtime members Kiedis, Flea, and Chad Smith return to the road to support their latest record, I’m With You […]

CD Review: The District Attorneys — Slowburner; Playing The EARL, April 14

The District Attorneys Slowburner This Is American Music By Justin Lyons The District Attorneys’ Slowburner would be easy to describe as southern rock reminiscent of The Drive-By Truckers.  Much like The Drive-By Truckers, the quintet hails from Athens, but their debut album is more akin to the diverse stylings of My Morning Jacket and Band […]

CD Review: Say Anything — Anarchy, My Dear

Say Anything  Anarchy, My Dear Equal Vision Records By Al Kaufman First things first, these guys are nothing like the John Cusack movie. They are not going to play Peter Gabriel through their boom boxes up to their girlfriend’s window. No, their love songs have more of a Sid and Nancy feel to them. On […]

CD Review: Halestorm — The Strange Case Of…

Halestorm The Strange Case Of… Atlantic Records By Ellen Eldridge Hard-living, ass-kicking women who are also attractive and able to sing are just what this world needs more of, and this is exactly what Halestorm’s front woman, Lzzy Hale, brings to the table with The Strange Case Of…. The single, “Love Bites (And So Do […]

Live Review: Dean & Britta, 13 Most Beautiful Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests at Atlanta Symphony Hall, March 31

By Stephanie Roman Andy Warhol once asked if it would be possible to have a love affair that lasts forever. So far, we’re still in love with Andy. On Saturday night, Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips presented their original score to 13 black and white screen tests shot by Warhol. Former band mates from Luna, […]

Live Review: John Wesley Harding, Joe Pernice, Rick Moody at Eddie’s Attic, March 29

By Scott Roberts; photos by Sue Volkert (full gallery at the bottom of the post) Anticipation was high for this special in-the-round performance at Eddie’s Attic by literary folk-rockers John Wesley Harding and Joe Pernice, along with novelist Rick Moody, himself also musically knowledgeable and surprisingly tuneful. The three wordsmiths took turns singing, playing, telling […]

CD Review: Birdy — Birdy

Birdy Birdy Warner Brothers/14th Floor By Al Kaufman America is not the only country that makes huge stars out of televised music competitions. Birdy (whose real name, Jasmine van dem Bogaerde is a little more difficult to articulate) is a 15-year-old phenom from the UK who took the grand prize on Open Mike UK at […]

CD Review: NovaKord — Out There; Playing The Basement, April 7

NovaKord Out There Self-Released By Ellen Eldridge Atlanta-based NovaKord started up just over a year ago, but it’s no surprise the guys have a fervent following because fans who’ve followed bassist Billy Snyder and drummer Johnny Cunningham through projects including Axis of Audio and Last, which included Wes Daniel on vocals and guitar, completely understand […]

CD Review: Shinedown — Amaryllis; Playing Project Cinco at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, May 6

Shinedown Amaryllis Atlantic By Ellen Eldridge Shinedown may sound like a guilty pleasure for fans afraid to admit they enjoy mainstream music, but with its fourth studio release, Amaryllis, Shinedown brings more than catchy melodies and contagious vocal lines. The fast-paced introduction with “Adrenaline” proves Shinedown is not merely a pop band, and though the […]

Live Review and Picture Book: Justice at The Tabernacle, March 22

Review by Justin Lyons; photos by Matthew Smith (www.shadowboxerphoto.com) A lot has changed in the electronic music world since French duo Justice broke on the scene with “D.A.N.C.E.” and Cross.  Dubstep has become the current rage, house elements have invaded pop music and electronic music as a whole has enjoyed a renaissance with more EDM […]

CD Review: The Good Graces — Wildcat Creek

The Good Graces Wildcat Creek Eskimo Kiss By Jim Simpson Wildcat Creek finds The Good Graces’ founder Kim Ware taking her brand of minimalist indie folk-pop to another level with a mere four songs featuring the threesome of Ware, producer/musician Jay Manley and his wife Jane Francis. Local multi-instrumentalist Ware has been writing blazingly honest […]