Kings of Convenience: Declaration of Dependence
Norway duo adds depth, dramatic arc to delicate pop pace Kings of Convenience have always had a tight grip on their delicate acoustic sound. However, Declaration of Dependence offers a sense of cohesion their previous albums don’t, a complete story through melody. The slow awakening of “24-25” warms up the listener before the fluttering “Me in You,” which segues gracefully into the lively sway of “Boat Behind.” “Rule My World” begins the descent toward conclusion, though the melancholic pulse of “Renegade” and offbeat vocals of “Second to Numb” still pique and captivate.... read more
Midlake Announces New Album, Tour
It's been a couple years since Midlake has been out on the road, and now we know why... read more
Best of What's Next: Auld Lang Syne
Brooklyn, as it turns out, isn't for everyone... read more
Steve Martin and His Banjo Join MerleFest Lineup
That wild and crazy guy Steve Martin is hopping aboard the MerleFest lineup. For those who are perhaps puzzled by the move, Martin knows his way around the banjo, to the point where he released his own record of handcrafted banjo tunes earlier this year.... read more
Lilith Fair Returns Next Year: 10 Must-Have Ladies for its Lineup
Lady folkstress Paula Cole used to ask, “Where have all the cowboys gone?” But in recent years, it’s been the cowgirls we’re wondering about. But wonder no longer: Lilith Fair has returned.... read more
The Dead Weather Unleash Live iTunes Release
Just yesterday, The Dead Weather released an iTunes-only audio/video collection called Live From Third Man West.... read more
Celebrate the New Year with Jens Lekman in Chicago
Even when he doesn’t have a new album out, that Jens Lekman fellow sure does keep busy. In addition to contributing music to Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, Whip It (“And in the end what I make my money from is talking to Drew Barrymore about monkeys,” Lekman said of meeting with her about the film.), the Swedish troubadour just announced a short series of shows at Chicago’s Empty Bottle to ring in 2010.... read more
Squirrel Nut Zippers: Lost at Sea
Big-band sound loses some of its nutty nuance Without a release in nine years, the Squirrel Nut Zippers needed to come back with a bang. And in the most literal sense they do, with less than two measures of a snare beat leading to horn and saxophone blares. This, and the rest of the live album, is a no-nonsense recalling of that lost big band era. But with just bits of soulfulness (“Do What”) and tango flair (“My Drag”) scattered throughout, Lost at Sea is no discerning reminder of the band itself. Most notably, it replaces a heavy dose of... read more
Best of What's Next: Gemma Ray
"Everywhere I go, I need to borrow knives..." read more
Cold War Kids Announce EP, January Tour Dates
Cold War Kids are the kind of group that learn from their class time in the School of Hard Knocks. Their 2006 debut, Robbers and Cowards, was met with all the giddy hype a young indie rock band could hope for. Their 2008 followup, Loyalty to Loyalty, was essentially a stood-up prom date, left at home by an unfaithful following of music blogs and media. Nevertheless, the band soldiers on with another EP on the way, Behave Yourself, due out Jan. 19.... read more
Robyn Hitchcock Preps Live CD/DVD
Singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock will continue to bulk up his scattered and elusive discography with his I Often Dream of Trains in New York concert-DVD and live-album release. ... read more
MerleFest Announces 2010 Lineup, Avett Brothers Headline
North Carolina’s tribute to late finger-picking guitarist Eddy Merle Watson, MerleFest (April 29-May 2), has announced its 2010 lineup. Among the dozens of bands that will contribute to the event’s traditional-plus Appalachian genre are Eddy’s father Doc Watson, David Holt, The Lovell Sisters, Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes, Cadillac Sky, Alberti Flea Circus and many more.... read more
Wolfmother: Cosmic Egg
When Australian trio Wolfmother hopped onto the scene in 2005, many were quick to draw Led Zeppelin comparisons... read more
Tom Waits Recording Two Tracks in New Orleans
One song with Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the other about pirates and sea chanties... read more
Dave Rawlings Machine Cranks Out Debut Album, Fall Tour
After many years spent as Gillian Welch's other musical half, David Rawlings is now a well-rounded frontman of his own band, the Dave Rawlings Machine... read more
Ears We Trust: Brendan Benson
In this long-running feature, music-industry tastemakers tell us what they’re listening to and loving. Today’s columnist: Raconteur and solo artist Brendan Benson. Harry Nilsson, Nilsson Sings Newman: Imagine it; one genius doing another genius’ songs. Both in their prime and both seemingly mad as hatters! Great studio banter too!... read more
Best of What's Next: Princeton
Twin brothers Jesse and Matt Kivel have been making music together since they were 15-year-olds... read more
Hear Them Crooked Vultures' First Single, "New Fang"
Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme walk into a bar... At first, the lineup of Them Crooked Vultures sounded so good it just had to be a joke, but there's no doubting it anymore: The new supergroup most likely to create something new and nostalgia-free just released its first single. And it rocks. Hard.... read more
Upstart Filmmaker Chronicles Life on the Road with Deer Tick
Last year, Cory Lovell lived the dream of so many music fans, spending the much of fall 2008 on the road with his favorite band, Deer Tick. But he's hardly your run-of-the-mill fanboy. Nope, Lovell spent the whole time working to create a documentary that would capture the pre-fame essence of the hard-partying and harder-rocking crew. In the end, he told Paste, he emerged overstressed and totally broke, but he got his doc—and it'll hit the public on Oct. 30 and 31 at the Vermont International Film Festival and Nov. 3 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.... read more
Morrissey in Stable Condition, Planning to Resume Tour After On-Stage Collapse
After this weekend's on-stage collapse and an overnight hospital stay, sources report that Morrissey is in stable condition and will continue his European tour minus one date.... read more
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