Amanda PalmerWho Killed Amanda Palmer?Roadrunner Records 4 stars by Al Kaufman As the front half of the punk-Cabaret duo, Dresden Dolls, singer-pianist Amanda Palmer has an obvious theatrical flair. And she has found her soul mate in Ben Folds. Folds produced and performs on half the songs on this CD. The two are both creative […]
WhitleyThe SubmarineDew Process by Al Kaufman This sound is going to need its own label soon: electro-folk, folktronica, or techno-Americana. Whatever the case, 23-year-old Aussie Lawrence Greenwood, aka "Whitley," used to be in hardcore bands. Then he saw alt-country singers Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch and his new sound was born. The Submarine was released […]
Catie CurtisSweet LifeCompass Records by Al Kaufman Ask any great songwriter and they will tell you the hardest song to write is a happy song. Using that criteria, Catie Curtis is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. With a mature but sweet voice, Curtis opens her CD with the title cut, in which […]
The RescuesCrazy Ever AfterRed Wind by Al Kaufman Music is necessary. We need it to help express emotion and beauty. We need it because it improves our quality of life. Music reaches our soul and makes us feel like more than just a clump of genes. Books have been written about what it feels like […]
Brendan James The Day is Brave Decca Records by Noel Wurst Brendan James doesn’t really care about gaining your daughter’s attention, but he certainly wants yours. While certainly appearing/sounding young, the melancholy nature of nearly all of his songs is going to fly over the heads (and cares) of all the […]
Paula Nelson BandLucky 13Justice Records by Al Kaufman It must be a blessing and a curse to be the daughter of outlaw country legend Willie Nelson. Paula Nelson grew up around some of the greatest musicians ever, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Waylon Jennings, and, of course, Johnny Cash. If just a quarter of all that […]
LowryLove Is DeadEngine Room Recordings by Al Kaufman Lowry is one of those bands that is a music critic's worst nightmare, and I mean that in the best way. Lowry has an unclassifiable sound that leads the listener reaching for comparisons that fade away a minute later. Yet, taken as a whole, Love Is Dead […]
by Al Kaufman Rachael Sage is not a diva. Yes, she dresses in beads and baubles, and often appears in feather boas and red fishnets. Yes, in addition to being a pianist and singer/songwriter, she is also a ballerina and painter. And yes, she is so accomplished in all these areas that she has every […]
Sonya KitchellThis StormDecca/Velour by Al Kaufman Sonya Kitchell could very well be the oldest 19-year-old in the world. When she released Words Came Back to Me in 2006, at the age of 16, people were blown away that a voice so mature could eminate from a body so young. In the ensuing two plus years […]
Reckless KellyBulletproofYep Roc Records by Al Kaufman Austin's Reckless Kelly, named after Australian outlaw Ned "Reckless" Kelly, have never quite been able to live up to their image. While they try to convey themselves as renegade country-rockers, they often come across as Steve Earle with the rough edges rubbed clean. While Bulletproof offers a glimpse […]
Death on Two Wheels Separation of Church and Fate Self Released by Noel Wurst The Atlanta-ness of Death on Two Wheels slaps you in the face. A “Certified Atlanta” stamp across a group’s forehead can be great, especially in the hip hop world. However, with rock bands, the Atlanta label has been a bit of […]
Rose Hill Drive Moon is the New Earth Megaforce and SCI Fidelity Records by Noel Wurst Rose Hill Drive doesn’t want to be compared to other bands. The bad news is that making these comparisons is a favorite pastime of not just music critics, but anyone describing a new band to someone, and it’s not […]
Ridiculous to the sublime – that’s a phrase that comes to mind when reviewing my thoughts about this particular Friday night at The Loft. O.k., maybe ridiculous is too strong of a statement, but sublime certainly isn’t. Full disclosure, I’m a lover of the funk, so Nikka Costa is a favorite of mine. I haven’t […]
Aimee MannVariety PlayhouseSeptember 5, 2008 by Al Kaufman Aimee Mann has been long tagged as an angry, depressed person who writes angry, depressing songs. Last Friday night at the Variety, Mann showed off her more comedic side. Relaxed and confident on stage with her band, Mann introduced her early hit single, "That’s Just What You […]
Beginning tomorrow night Atlanta’s own Clay Cook will embark on a three week tour around town in promotion of his new album, The Year I Grew Up. Every Tuesday night, Cook will perform at some of Atlanta’s most unique and best local music venues. Cook will also be joined by some of the city’s greatest […]
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