25 Mar 2003

Depeche Mode Spins Out Solo Records

By John James
• Two of the founding members of Depeche Mode are soon to release new solo albums. Songwriter Martin L. Gore returns to the covers concept he debuted in his 1989 Counterfeit collection, with Counterfeit2 due at the end of April on Mute Records.
18 Mar 2003

Smoking Popes Offer Fans a Double Dip

By John James
• Fans of the defunct Smoking Popes are treated to a double scoop of power-pop memories this Tuesday when Double Zero Records, owned by founding drummer Mike Felumlee, releases two separate CDs saluting the band's Windy City reign.
04 Mar 2003

Hail the Mullet with New CD

By John James
• Dude! This Tuesday brings an excellent twin-cam sonic salute to the musical culture of the proud but coiffure-challenged bearers of the shameless American mullet. Or as the Epic Legacy Records label has succinctly put it: Mullets Rock! Almost an anthropological study, this 35-track, two-CD set is a killer collection of hard-rockin' classics guaranteed a righteous "thumbs up" from any soul brushing his Michigan mudflap - all business up-front, and all party in the back.
18 Feb 2003

Storyteller Creates a Wonderlure

By John James
• Fans of National Public Radio's All Things Considered should seek out Wonderlure, the new spoken-word CD from Kevin Kling. The Minneapolis storyteller, playwright, and actor is a frequent contributor to the program, with eight of these recent radio pieces collected on one budget-priced CD.
11 Feb 2003

Artists Write the Book on Costello

By John James
• Elvis Costello has written a lot of perfect songs. It's hard to even pick a favorite. His "Alison" and "Indoor Fireworks" are songwriting treasures, melodies that stop me cold wherever I hear them. I just have to sit in the parking lot, turn off the engine, and listen.
27 Jan 2003

New EP Features a Rock-and-Roll Revival

By John James
• This Tuesday brings the release of a new single worth crowing about. "Danger! High Voltage" is the love cry of Electric Six, a Detroit five-piece that has simply blown me away with its homage-heavy sound, buzzing with dramatic energy like a Talking Heads' open-tent rejuvenation of the church of rock and roll.
21 Jan 2003

Debut CD Sparkles with Melodic Americana

By John James
• This Tuesday brings the solo debut CD from Jesse Malin, and it's one of those magical albums that really digs its teeth in deep with repeated listenings, a neon-cool collection of melodic Americana moments that resonate from the suburbs to the subway.
14 Jan 2003

Bloodshot Celebrates Milestone with Rarities

By John James
• Cover craziness abounds with a pair of terrific new releases. This past month Chicago's punk and cornpone label, Bloodshot Records, celebrated its 100th release of authentic independent country. As a treat to the fans, the label culled its vaults for an appropriate thank-you, and the result is one of the most captivating collections I've heard in a while.
07 Jan 2003

Another Reason for American Record Labels to Fret

By John James
• Do you feel like starting your own record label, boasting an artist lineup that includes Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, and Maria Callas? A recent New York Times article by Anthony Tommasini has brought to light another weakness in the American record industry's armor - the upcoming tide of European import CDs that take advantage of Europe's copyright-protection laws that put recordings into the public domain after only 50 years.
23 Dec 2002

Three Cover Albums Soar in 2002

By John James
With the rolling wheels of the record industry grinding down for a holiday break, here are more of my picks for the best of 2002. Best Spoken Word CD of the Year: Paul Krassner - Irony Lives! (Artemis Records) Recorded earlier this year in the post-September 11 dialogue, this thinking-man's comedy release comes from the fertile and skewed mind of the co-founder of the Youth International Party (Yippies) and all-around muckraker, a nail among the balloons of government and the media elite.

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