Best of What's Next: Nurses
It’s an amusingly incongruous sight to see the makers of such delicate music hauling around in such a brawny boat... read more
Sufjan Stevens Calls 50 States Project "Such a Joke"
At the time, it seemed impossibly ambitious: Write an album for all 50 states, each capturing both the obvious glories and flaws, but also the hidden idiosyncrasies of its chosen bit of America. Sufjan Stevens’ first attempt was a gorgeously lush, whispered look at a state most often cast in a harsh, mechanic light: Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lake State. Next up was another midwestern state, Illinois. With beautiful anthems like “Chicago” and “Jacksonville,” the album shot Stevens to the top of the indie heap, a folk singer as ambitious as he was introspective.... read more
Until the Light Takes Us to Explore Norway's Black-Metal Scene
Even with big marquee names like Kjetil Haraldstad, Kristoffer Rygg and Varg Vikernes on board, it’s unlikely Until the Light Takes Us will overshadow too many of this winter’s blockbuster movies. And in terms of cultural relevance, that’s a damn shame. The documentary, which will see the very limited light of day this winter, tells the story of how Norway’s burgeoning black-metal scene exploded into European consciousness with misunderstood violence, Satanism, arson and, yes, corpsepaint.... read more
Yeasayer Releases Single From New Album
With its first single “2080,” Yeasayer only hinted a bit at intergalactic tendencies. However, with synth whispers and delicate electric-guitar arpeggios, the band’s starry-eyed introduction is immediately grounded by a rather realistic sentiment: “We can pickle the pain into blue ribbon winners at county contests.”... read more
Los Campesinos! Set Release Date for New Album, Announce Tour
Former Paste Band of the Week Los Campesinos! plan to introduce a new sound, singer and subject matter with next year’s release of their third studio album.... read more
The King Khan & BBQ Show: Invisible Girl
More skuzzy garage rock from increasingly visible pair Before he donned his gold lamé hot pants and played wild shows like the unholy offspring of Little Richard and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, King Khan made a pair of loose, lewd, lo-fi albums with fellow Montreal ex-pat and former bandmate BBQ—a.k.a. Mark Sultan. Three years after their lip-smacking What’s for Dinner?, the duo re-teams for another set of R&B-inflected, ’60s-influenced garage rock with its juvenile-delinquent charms and dirty minds intact.... read more
Rickie Lee Jones: Balm in Gilead
Wild girl returns with headphone album “It’s hard to be older and poor, I don’t dig it that much anymore,” Rickie Lee Jones sings on “Wild Girl,” the opening track of her 13th album. Although she’s in character, it’s odd to hear her sing that line; 30 years into an unpredictable career, she still sounds like the wild girl she once was. The largely self-produced Balm in Gilead plies a folksy yet soulful jazz-country sound that showcases both her inimitable voice—with its playful meter and peculiar grain—and her studio prowess.... read more
Best of What's Next: Kristina Train
The soulful saunter of Kristina Train's debut Spilt Milk hints at her roots in Savannah... read more
Watch Elizabeth & The Catapult Stitch Pincushions, Play Acoustically
Although pincushions normally come a’plenty at Etsy, the site is serving something extra special with today’s batch: the presence of Elizabeth Ziman, lead singer of Elizabeth & The Catapult.... read more
Watch Phish Cover Exile on Main Street
Everyone loves to dress up on Halloween (Especially, as we witnessed this weekend, as Max from Where the Wild Things Are), but Phish have long taken it a bit further. In fact, the Vermont jammers dress up their Halloween show as an entirely different band. In years past they’ve taken on Dark Side of the Moon, Quadrophenia and The White Album. This Halloween, at their very own Festival 8 at Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., Phish played The Rolling Stones classic Exile on Main Street.... read more
Neil Young Reveals Dreamin' Man Tracklist, Bumps Release Date
If his behemoth, 10-disc Archives set was any indication, Neil Young’s made a lot of music in his day. And he wants you to have it. All of it.... read more
Various Artists: Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy
Stipe, Yorke and The National headline benefit for ex-Miracle Legion frontman All-star tributes are too rarely bestowed upon those most in need of recognition. Mark Mulcahy’s long overdue moment in the sun is a bittersweet one, as Ciao My Shining Star adapts the veteran singer/songwriter’s outstanding back catalog largely into a poignant memorial to his wife, Melissa, who died tragically last year.... read more
Listen Up: The Tourettes Are Dead, Long Live The Tourettes
I wore a lot of skirts my freshman year of college, but one of my favorite songs that year was “Pants Fever,” a catchy little tune by a band that I’m pretty sure you’ve never heard of. And I mean that in absolutely the least snobby way possible. You don’t not know them because you’re not cool enough. You don’t know them because, really, there’s just not that much to know.... read more
Allison Moorer Announces New Album
Following 2008's Mockingbird, Allison Moorer is set to let her seventh studio effort, Crows, take flight... read more
Sufjan Stevens: On the Road to Find Out
On Nov. 2, 2009, Paste magazine released its list of The 50 Best Albums of the Decade, and topping that list was Illinois, the 2005 masterpiece from Sufjan Stevens. Paste’s Kate Kiefer talked to the Illinoisemaker about the album, his 50 States project and his recent orchestral creation The BQE.... read more
The Best Albums of the Decade (Readers' Picks)
We spent a lot of time brainstorming, voting, arguing and refining our list of The 50 Best Albums of the Decade. But, of course, we got it wrong. Here’s what our readers chose as the 10 Best Albums of the Decade:... read more
Best of What's Next: Hello Seahorse!
Born in California and raised in Mexico, Hello Seahorse! lead singer Lo Blondo... read more
Catching Up With... Bob Schneider
Talk to Bob Schneider for five minutes and he will try to mess with you. Seriously. The long-time Austin resident, who also sings with bands the Ugly Americans, the Scabs, and as his alter ego, Joe Rockhead, is about to launch a tour to promote his latest solo album, Lovely Creatures, which dropped Sept. 29. The album is a folky, heartfelt collection of songs about love and life that belies the singer's stated goal to "seem like I don't give a fuck." When not on tour, fans can find Schneider every Monday night in the Saxon Pub in Austin, where he'll try out... read more
Spoon's New Album, Transference, Coming in January
Merge Records has confirmed a Jan. 26 U.S. release of Spoon’s seventh-full length album, Transference.... read more
Watch Ted Leo Perform New Song, "One Polaroid a Day"
Signs of a new Ted Leo album continued to surface at this year’s CMJ, thanks to a new song and one resourceful audience member.... read more
The 20 Best Gadgets of the Decade…
The 17 Best Romantic Comedies This Decade
The 50 Best Albums of the Decade…
The 25 Best Movie Performances of the…
Blind Pilot - The Story I Heard
Kim Taylor - Days Like this
Frightened Rabbit - Good Arms Vs. Bad…
Gregory Alan Isakov - The Moon Song
Punch Brothers - Punch Brothers at CMJ
Anya Marina - Whatever You Like
David Bazan - Hard To Be
