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.
04 Feb 2003

Re-issue of Return of the Super Ape Re-opens Reggae's Third Eye

By Administrator
• Are you cold, wet, and ready for the blossom of spring? Come, my friend, into the warm pulse of the bottom end of the pool, as two new releases of bass exploration - one a five-star reggae classic from 1980, and the other a nu-funk slammer - are the perfect antidote to the winter blues.
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.
10 Dec 2002

New Music Fills Holiday Benefit CD

By John James
• My tip of the top hat for best new holiday CD goes to Maybe This Christmas, a 13-track collection on the Nettwerk label benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign. Except for Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan's take on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and a few fan-club rarities, the rest are new compositions or re-interpretations exclusive to the CD.
03 Dec 2002

Talent Search Results in Indie Choice

By John James
• This Tuesday the Mod Music label is releasing its Indie Choice 2002 CD, a 16-track collection from its recent worldwide talent search. Grand-prize-winner Angela McClusky is certainly one to look out for, as the former vocalist of the Wild Colonials offers up "It's Been Done," co-written with Nathan Larson of Shudder to Think.
26 Nov 2002

Power-Pop Fans Get a Stiff Tribute

By John James
• One of the greatest eras in power pop has recently been honored in tasty tribute fashion with The Stiff Generation, a 24-track salute to Stiff Records and its stable of breakaway stars in those nutty, new-wave days of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

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