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Latest Reviews and Features
This is one of those films where you go into it knowing full well that youre going to get your leg pulled and Gilbert is proving to be quite adept at making it fun. Makes you wonder who his next tongue-in-cheek target will be.
- Read the full Elvis Found Alive review
Evans, the bass player for AC/DC during the Bon Scott, takes about thirty pages to cover his family and upbringing but then quickly gets into what fans are hungry to know about.
- Read the full Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC review
The band has produced one last treat for their legion of fans in Comeblack, an album of re-recorded favorites and cover songs. The first half features newly recorded versions of seven of their big songs, all of which have noticeable differences from the original cuts. (3 stars)
- Read the full Scorpions - Comeblack review
Jan 2012
Ana Kefr is a metal band that is not for everybody. Their music is dense, a real journey of the ears and the mind and you have to be prepared to dig deep to get the real rewards out of it. Morley spoke to vocalist and lyricist Rhiis D. Lopez recently to talk about their sophomore record The Burial Tree.
- Read the full Ana Kefr MorleyView
Today Tony K reveals his Top 10 list of Cameron Crowes Greatest Hits of songs used in the famed filmmakers movies as Tony looks at the Marriage Between Music and Movies.
- Read the full A Marriage Between Music and Movies Part III: Cameron Crowe's Top 10 Greatest Hits review
Usually thought of as the bands finest work, L.A. Woman was also the last Doors album to feature Jim Morrison, who died a few months after the albums release. This documentary offers a track-by-track dissection of the album (4 stars)
- Read the full The Doors - Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman review
With Dancing through the Needles Eye Soki2u has once again created a winning modern music smorgasbord. You may not salivate over every flavor, but its nearly guaranteed that you wont leave the dinner table hungry. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Soki2u - Dancing through the Needle's Eye review
Today Anthony Kuzminski continues his countdown of Cameron Crowes Top 50 Greatest Hits with Part II counting down No 25. to No. 11 of the best songs used in Crowes films
- Read the full Cameron Crowe's Greatest Hits Part II (25-11) review
This collection of Wolfs output during his years with the Chess label though offers fifteen tracks not previously released in the U.S., including self-penned numbers
- Read the full Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightning: The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960 review
This time out, a listen to modern music from Europe including Forty Winks and Giorgio Tuma from Italy, I Build Collapsible Mountains from Scotland and Spring Offensive from England.
- Read the full Forty Winks- Giorgio Tuma- I Build Collapsible Mountains- Spring Offensive review
Few directors can paint pictures and weave it with music as elegantly as Crowe. He has a way of twisting the emotional tone of a single scene with a song or emphasizing a characters heightened emotions through song.
- Read the full A Marriage Between Music and Movies: Cameron Crowe's 'Greatest Hits' Part I (50-26) review
A listen to releases from progressive bands including Yes In the Present-Live from Lyon, Emerson, Lake & Palmers Live at the Mar y Sol Festival and special 3 disc Niagara reissue.
- Read the full Prog Report: Yes- Emerson, Lake & Palmer- Niagara review
What differentiates filmmaking from novels is the ability to perfectly pinpoint emotions for which there are no words. You may not know it but Drive is more than 2011s best film, it is also the most transfixing and arousing soundtrack of 2011 as well. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Drive Original Motion Picture Soundtrack review
We rock into 2012 with Kevin Wierzbicki kicking things off by giving some new vinyl releases a spin including the debut from the Supergroup Bottomfeeder featuring members of Gaslight Anthem, Jaguar Shark, Gates and Let Me Run!
- Read the full Bottomfeeder (Gaslight Anthem)- The Farewell Drifters- Richard Swift review
It doesn't matter, really, if maybe you've been mispronouncing the name of Alabama's sparkling city on the Gulf of Mexico- the folks in "Mo-beel" will welcome you with a generous heap of southern hospitality anyway.
- Read the full Goin' Mobile! - Fun on Alabama's Gulf Shore Road Trip article
While others are trying to achieve sales plateaus, Matt Nathanson simply writes deeply personal songs and performs them with astounding conviction in concert. Matt Nathanson has achieved a level of success but he deserves more and more importantly you deserve to experience his music in your life.
- Read the full The Best of 2011: Matt Nathanson Live review
Dont be a hodad---catch this wave of new and newly reissued vintage surf music! And a book to explain it all to you!
- Read the full Surf's Up! Nelson Montana- Mr. Gasser & the Weirdos and Surf Beat: Rock'n'Roll's Forgotten Revolution review
Ive been here for six weeks... where the hell were you? Morrissey crackled at the sold out crowd at the Congress Theater in Chicago. The show was originally scheduled to open his six week tour and instead, it served as the penultimate performance and what a performance it was.
- Read the full Morrissey Live at Congress Theater review
Watching this performance Rush has never been more alive or aware of their power and purpose and for this alone, Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland is an essential live music document. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Rush - Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland DVD review
The Dreamer is a very suitable entry point for the uninitiated. Now is the perfect time for fans of acts like Amy Winehouse to come home to the soon to be gone treasure that is Etta James. (4 stars)
- Read the full Etta James - The Dreamer review
Inside Chicagos Metro nightclub a dramatic detour on the pop landscape by Patrick Vaughn Stump is taking place. Instead of the baseball cap wearing front man, were confronted with a slick and sleek sight not familiar to many. (4 stars)
- Read the full Tony K's Album of the Year Pick: Patrick Stump - Soul Punk review
Gabriel has always favored lush instrumentation and still does for this show, although it is present in a different form. Gabriel is backed here by a forty-six person orchestra and no rock band---no guitars, no bass and no drum kit.
- Read the full Peter Gabriel - New Blood: Live in London (DVD) review
Its hard to imagine a raucous group like L.A. Guns doing an acoustic record but the title of this album is a little misleading. True, the arrangements are stripped down, but most songs feature a full band.
- Read the full L.A. Guns - Acoustic Gypsy Live review
He has taken us on rockin Road Trips around the world and now our travel editor Kevin Wierzbicki checks in his latest in hotel and resort finds for you to check out! We start today with the beautiful Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Read the full Bolongo Bay Beach Resort review
The original arrangements of favorites including The Grand Illusion, Lorelei, Sing for the Day and Come Sail Away are not tampered with- rather theyre enhanced by the improved sound provided by todays technology and, in places, punchier playing of guitar and keyboard parts.
- Read the full Styx - Regeneration Vols. I & II review
The film will cover enough ground for the casual fan whereas the book is created not just for the devout believer but more importantly, to document the bands history through its first twenty years.
- Read the full Pearl Jam Twenty review
Some fans of Ronnie James Dio know that before he joined Rainbow and began his climb to fame he was in a band called Elf, also at one time called the Elves. Elf put out a few albums in the early to mid seventies and there is renewed interest in this material now that Dio is no longer with us. (2 stars)
- Read the full The Elves featuring Ronnie James Dio - And Before Elf... There Were Elves review
Inside The Venue, a state of the art concert complex attached to the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana (just outside of Chicago) Black Label Society and Judas Priest performed one of their longest and most intimate shows of their current tour.
- Read the full Judas Priest and Black Label Society Live review
To Gabriels credit, he didnt go for a streamlined greatest hits approach. Instead, he took the songs that benefitted the most from the New Blood Orchestra arrangements and cut them in the studio. As a result, the album is an extraordinary reintroduction for much of his audience and a celestial detour for his most staunch and devout followers.
- Read the full Peter Gabriel - New Blood review
Usually once a year someone comes from out of nowhere to remind me of why I love music and in 2011 the artists name is Jo Wymer. Listening to Jos debut CD is akin to having a cold bucket of water thrown upon you as you are in a hibernating sleep but also is as warm as a fire on a winter night. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Jo Wymer - Living With Scars review
November 2011
For this latest edition of Rock Pile Kevin Wierzbicki tells us about Slashs Made in Stoke 24/7/11 Special Edition, Bebe Buells Hard Love and The Kenneth Brian Bands Welcome to Alabama.
- Read the full Slash- Bebe Buell- The Kenneth Brian Band review
Before there was Guns N Roses there were the Rolling Stones. Show carried a sense of treacherous exploration. The band often didnt appear on stage until hours after they were supposed to but above all else, you never knew what would occur when they did hit the stage. Surprisingly the band only toured in the US in 1972, 1975 and 1978 during the 1970s.
- Read the full The Rolling Stones - Some Girls Live in Texas '78' review
In this special Reggae edition of Passport, Kevin Wierzbicki gives recent releases from Jimmy Cliff, Sugar Minott and Gregory Isaacs a spin!
- Read the full Reggae Edition Featuring Jimmy Cliff, Sugar Minott and Gregory Isaacs review
Watching the eight insanely talented current members stand shoulder-to-shoulder I immediately had a revelation hit me: this current incarnation of Guns N Roses performed the very best concert Ive seen in 2011. (5 stars)
- Read the full Guns N' Roses: The Best Concert of 2011 review
Hollywood Records and the others responsible for putting this 10-CD box set together should be commended for concentrating on the music instead of bloating the box and its price with assorted tchotchkes that will only sit around and collect dust. (4 stars)
- Read the full Queen 40 Limited Edition Collector's Box Set Vol. 2 review
Paul Rodgers, the former lead vocalist for Free, Bad Company, the Firm and Queen + Paul Rodgers, gives a brief present-day introduction to this film that was shot in 1994. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Paul Rodgers & Friends - Live at Montreux 1994 DVD review
(In posting order with most recent listed first)
Th1rt3en is Megadeths thirteenth album and it may be lucky 13 for them for a couple of reasons If theres anything to complain about its that Mustaine doesnt seem to want to take any chances with the Megadeth sound and that results in a predictable set of tunes. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Megadeth - Th1rt3en review
Ace Frehley is experiencing a well deserved resurgence. After leaving KISS in 2002, he vanished. He wasnt abducted by aliens and didnt take any magical pills that made him invisible; he simply turned inward, took care of himself and came out on the other side.
- Read the full Ace Frehley Live review
Watching Will Hoge on a concert stage is a visceral and divine incident. Ive been trying for the last seven years to put into words the range of emotions that can be stirred up from within watching him sing and play his guitar.
- Read the full Will Hoge Live in Chicago for Number Seven review
The music of Steel Panther though is real sex rock, so salacious that before listening you just might want to fit condoms over your ears. Do you think you can listen to a song like 17 Girls In a Row without catching something? Fortunately Steel Panther is extremely witty with their sleaze and not just gratuitously naughty. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Steel Panther - Balls Out review
For this latest edition of On The Record Kevin Wierzbicki spins new vinyl releases from Chu Chu Santamaria y Usted and FIDLAR.
- Read the full Chu Chu Santamaria y Usted and FIDLAR review
When Weezer did appear, Cuomo spoke to the crowd about the passing of former bassist Mikey Welsh who had eerily died earlier in the day in a Chicago hotel room. Welsh was part of the band when they found their groove again around 2000.
- Read the full Weezer Live at Riot Fest review
When Axl Rose and his new incarnation of Gun N Roses unleashed Chinese Democracy in November of 2008, instead of having people dissect and relish it everyone appeared to throw up a collective sigh. Instead of focusing on the music most of the press focused on who wasnt playing guitar, how long it took and the behind the scenes drama in bringing the album to store shelves.
- Read the full Another Look: Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy review
Ozzy Osbournes I Am Ozzy memoir from last year was such a surprise best-seller that you could almost sense at the time that there would be more to come. But no one could have foreseen the form that this follow-up book would take. (4 stars)
- Read the full Ozzy Osbourne - Trust Me, I'm Dr. Ozzy review
Each of the seventeen included cuts has been chosen by one of Judas Priests peers and the luminarys reason for picking the song can be found in the notes printed in the CD booklet. (3 stars)
- Read the full Judas Priest - The Chosen Few review
Tony K was on hand for Sugarlands return to Indianapolis this weekend following the tragedy at the Indiana State Fair in August where several fans were injured and seven people lost their lives when a storm caused their stage to collapse. He recounts a night of healing and a celebration of life and music.
- Read the full Sugarland: Healing Hearts review
Oct 2011
In the spirit of the season were having a little fun here- all of these items refer to something scary in their title. But chances are youll find each item more delightful than frightful. Happy Halloween!
- Read the full Halloween Treats From The Zombies, Ghost Knife, Epitaph, Savoy Brown and more review
Encompassing Danzigs whole career, the sets will include solo material, Samhain and climaxing with a Misfits set. The Danzig Legacy performance was the most anticipated one of the entire Riot Fest.
- Read the full Riot Fest: Danzig Legacy review
On his recent Chicago tour stop at the Double Door, Walker once again decimated the sold-out crowd with a set high on octane but as intimate as a camp fire sing-a-long. Up until now his records took on another shape in concert. His latest The Spade is every bit as revitalizing on record as it is in concert.
- Read the full Butch Walker Concert and The Spade Album Review review
Photos from Roger Daltrey's Tommy concert at The Venue in Hammond, Indiana on October 7, 2011.
- Check out the Roger Daltrey's Tommy Concert Photos photo gallery
Rarely, you come across a band that kicks you in the teeth, punches you in the visceral gut, steals away your breath, and, as you lay there bleeding with your enamel on the floor, leaves you with enough sense to wonder why you havent heard of them before. The Compulsions is that band.
- Read the full First Look: The Compulsions (Guns N' Roses- New York Dolls) review
As the intro music of the Beatles A Day in the Life climaxed with the renowned crushing piano chord, a single silhouette appeared with a guitar as it shred the opening chords to Put You in a Song.
- Read the full Keith Urban Live review
Can you imagine what a song called Way Out performed by an artist named Psychoteria might sound like? Probably something feral if not downright crazy, right? Well sort of. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Psychoteria - I Think I'll Just Stay Home review
What differentiates Pearl Jam Twenty from other rock documentaries, is that is delves into their controversies head-on. No music documentary is worth anything if you forget about the music and here Crowe does a breathtaking job of telling their story but weaving the music into it as well. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Pearl Jam Twenty Film review
The Glorious Stories of a Fractured Youth is a heartfelt collection and rumination of growing up in Manchester, England and detailing the loneliness and isolation both Wicks and Rossi felt growing up. antiMusic caught up with the pair for a little chat .
- Read the full The Glorious Interview
Since 2005 Riot Fest has grown by leaps and bounds in Chicago from humble beginnings to this years epic line-up covering many diverse shades of rock and punk and even had a day celebration in Philadelphia a few weeks earlier.
- Read the full Riot Fest: Social Distortion review
It can sometimes be tempting to skip the first couple chapters of a biography; they usually delve into the subjects childhood and although obligatory, they can be pretty dull. Dont make that mistake with Tori Amos In the Studio
- Read the full Tori Amos In the Studio review
After nearly 40 years of listening, it was a tremendous honor to get to talk to Jon by phone recently to discuss the new record. This interview is dedicated to my friend Dave who helped open the gates and start me on my way with this kind of music.
- Read the full Jon Anderson MorleyView
Earlier this year, we told you about The Amboys, a band hailing from New Jersey with touches of folk, Southern-Rock, rockabilly, and rock that drew our earbuds off the flatline of rock fusion. Well, theyre back with a second EP, a lot more confidence, (if that was even possible), and an even bolder sound.
- Read the full Catching Up With The Amboys review
This one is maybe not for those who only love the Human League for the hit singles but those whove found pleasure in playing the bands albums all the way through in the past will find Credo a nice addition to the present. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full The Human League - Credo review
For this latest installment of Root 66 Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers Rare Bird Alert, Mike Zitos Greyhound, Alec Gross Strip the Lanterns: The Night Terrors of Mr. Ron Avery.
- Read the full Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers- Mike Zito- Alec Gross review
Duff McKagans new book is by no means a gratuitous blow-by-blow recount of his years of excess. Sadly his former rhythm partner, Steven Adlers memoir from last year fell into this trap where the glut of drug intake took on overzealous dimensions that disgusted rather than delighted.
- Read the full Duff McKagan - It's So Easy (And Other Lies) review
The music on Hi Infidelity may not exactly be timeless but it holds up pretty good today; if you liked it then youll still like it today. And with the release of this 30th Anniversary Edition you can hear the demos for the entire album (except for Out of Season).
- Read the full REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity 30th Anniversary Edition review
This is not bad music, at least not in a Nickelback painful way. Its just not an album that will inspire you to play it again and again. At best, its merely a celebrity curiosity. (3 stars)
- Read the full Jeff Bridges review
This is not a tell all book by any means but Trunks recollections are always entertaining, sometimes focusing on the humorous, like the time Anthrax trashed his hotel room by filling it with shaving cream and things less savory
- Read the full Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal review
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