The Throwing Muses’ trajectory of out of left field alterna-art-pop has been anything but normal, which makes perfect sense when you consider bandleader Kristin Hersh’s mental health rollercoaster over the years. The band broke up in the late 1990’s only to return in the early aughts with just as much fire and intensity as when […]

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Laura Marling is such a force to behold in a live setting. She’s both entreating and more than a little intimidating. This live version is just as sinister as the video for this song from one of my top albums of the year.

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Tears for Fears have entered the studio to record the follow up to 2004’s reunion effort Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, which didn’t find near the audience it probably should have. That Donnie Darko momentum didn’t quite have the legs the duo was counting on, but never a band to give a wit about time […]

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These guys make up for the roll call of references with a shit-kicking rock ‘n roll sound. I hadn’t thought of the Bruce Springsteen connection before I saw this live version of “Adrenaline NightShift,” but it’s definitely there. And also forgiven. Remember when people said The Killers sounded like Springsteen? Man, people are idiots.

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I have to admit I think the new Nine Inch Nails song is great. Trent Reznor injects this comeback single with everything that was ever good about his band: Bracing synths, machine beats, aggro guitars, and Reznor’s idiosyncratic whisper/wail combination. All of it works exactly as it should in “Came Back Haunted.” It’s already one […]

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I was giddy as a schoolkid this morning when I saw news of The Replacements rehearsing “Alex Chilton” off the band’s fifth LP, Pleased to Meet Me. No word yet on who’s playing guitar or drums with Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson at their upcoming Riot Fest appearances in August and September. Word is they […]

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I feared something fishy was up when the Pixies announced Kim Deal’s departure so … politely. It’s been common knowledge that they wanted to record a new record and Deal was the sole hold-out. I actually don’t care whether this new song is good or not. (And for the record, it’s ok). It just seems […]

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