CD Review: Plain Jane Automobile — Your Tomorrow; Playing Vinyl, May 11

Plain Jane Automobile Your Tomorrow Self-Released By Ellen Eldridge In a style U2 fans will find familiar, Plain Jane Automobile begin again with album opener “You Were Only A Song,” which recounts sentimentality of the loss of a friend to war. Admittedly, vocalist/guitarist Duke Crider felt compelled to tell the stories of WWII heroes and […]

Picture Book: CSS and Sleigh Bells at Center Stage, May 2

By Matthew Smith (www.shadowboxerphoto.com) Full gallery after the jump

CD Review: Little Scream — The Golden Record

Little Scream The Golden Record Secretly Canadian By Al Kaufman Laurel Sprengelmeyer, a native Iowan who now calls Montreal home, has a voice powerful enough that members of Arcade Fire and The National wanted to chip in on her debut CD. It is a voice that can feels at home with a number of styles. […]

Picture Book: Peter Bjorn and John at Masquerade, April 28

By Matthew Smith (www.shadowboxerphoto.com) Full gallery after the jump

CD Review: The Belle Brigade — The Belle Brigade

The Belle Brigade The Belle Brigade Reprise By Al Kaufman Brother/sister act Ethan and Barbara Gruska call legendary film composer John Williams (Jaws, E.T., Superman, Star Wars,Indiana Jones, to name a few) grandpa. With such a musical pedigree, it is expected that the duo should accomplish some beautiful things. More often than not, they do.

CD Review: Fleet Foxes — Helplessness Blues; Play The Tabernacle, May 14

Fleet Foxes Helplessness Blues Sub Pop By Al Kaufman Like Low Anthem, or their Rainy City compatriots, Cave Singers, Fleet Foxes create tiny bits of baroque, indie magic. Their songs shimmer, shine, and dance in the light. As on their 2008, self-titled, debut CD, the sextet harmonizes like the best Crosby, Stills and Nash songs, […]

Picture Book: Jupiter Watts, What Happened to Your Fire, Tiger? at The EARL, April 23

By Ken Lackner Full gallery after the jump

CD Review: Green Day — Awesome As F**k

Green Day Awesome As Fuck Reprise Records By Ellen Eldridge So Green Day’s gone and released a live album. But, much to the chagrin of those who think a live album just means the band ran out of money, here is a true treat for some of the would-be concert goers who are just too […]

CD Review: The Submarines — Love Notes/Letter Bombs; Playing The EARL, April 30

The Submarines Love Notes/Letter Bombs Nettwerk By Al Kaufman At first glance, The Submarines are bubble gum pop. They are popsicles and lemonade in the summertime. They are perky blonde Blake Hazard’s girlish vocals. But while their songs may taste like candy, they are actually quite good for you.

CD Review: Peter Bjorn and John – Gimme Some; Playing Masquerade, April 28

Peter Bjorn and John Gimme Some Almost Gold Gimme Some is perhaps one of the sunniest records of the year, but Swedish trio Peter Bjorn and John took a strange, twisty road to get here. This, the band’s sixth LP, is a far cry from the weird hollowness and intimately narrative lyrics found on their […]

CD Review: White Mystery — Blood & Venom; Playing The EARL, April 16

White Mystery Blood & Venom By Al Kaufman White Mystery is the band that White Stripes aspired to be. And maybe they could have done it if Meg White was more interesting, and if Meg and Jack White both had burning red hair.