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Kevin Wierzbicki
 Kevin Wierzbicki, antiMusic.com Travel Editor, Senior Music Reviewer
A native of Flint, Michigan and longtime resident of Phoenix, Arizona, Kevin travels the world (and makes plenty of trips to his mailbox) in search of good music and exciting travel adventures and very often finds them both in one place. Below youll find links to lots of his recently published pieces, including specialty columns On the Record (for vinyl fanatics), Passport (spotlight on international music), Root 66 (Americana and roots music) and Get the Blues (well, you know.) Kevins Road Trip series, along with other travel pieces, finds him recounting his exploits in exotic places like Malaysia, Mexico, Greenland and French Polynesia but he also frequently reports from the U.S. where hes just as likely to pop up in Bloomington (thats Indiana
) as he is in Nashville. Kevins work has also been published in USA Today Mexican/Caribbean edition, The Arizona Republic, The Desert Leaf (Tucson), Campus Circle (Los Angeles), Broughton Quarterly, azcentral.com and many other publications.
Read more of Kevins work here: www.travelwriters.com/kevinw
Kevin can be reached at travelkevin@antimusic.com
 Kevin won a Bronze Award in the North American Travel Journalists Association 2011 Travel Writing Competition for his article Behind Closed Doors, about the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway in Palm Springs, CA, published in Broughton Quarterly in summer 2011.
Kevin's articles here at antiMusic
Kevin Wierzbicki gives new vinyl record releases from War on Women (Improvised Weapons) and The Shondes (Searchlights) a spin for this latest installment of On The Record!
- Read the full War on Women- The Shondes review
For this edition of Rock Pile Kevin Wierzbicki takes a look and listen to Lamb of Gods Resolution, Riotgods Invisible Empire, Temblads Mockery of the Fanatic, Astral Doors Jerusalem.
- Read the full Lamb of God- Riotgod- Temblad- Astral Doors review
Some places literally have to scream at you to hold your attention, glitzy Las Vegas comes to mind. Other places, though, are so secure in the wonders of their people, culture and natural surroundings that they entice visitors with a mere whisper. One such magical place is the charming small city of Alamos, Mexico.
- Read the full Feel the Magic - Alamos, Mexico's Festival Ortiz Tirado Road Trip article
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
Our travel editor Kevin Wierzbicki finds you a nice place to stay and something to do while youre there. This month he visits Chicago, Hocking Hills, Ohio, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri and Quebec.
- Read the full Chicago, Ohio, Missouri and Quebec review
In tribute to the late great Etta James, who lost her battle with cancer, we are republishing Kevin Wierzbickis recent review of her last release The Dreamer: (4 stars)
- Read the full RIP: Etta James - The Dreamer 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
For this installment of Root 66 Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to Kevin Fowlers Chippin Away, Nitty Gritty Dirt Bands Under the Big Top Vol. 1 and Connie Smiths Long Line of Heartaches
- Read the full Kevin Fowler- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band- Connie Smith review
Author Keithley is a founding member of D.O.A., one of the bands that like Black Flag and Minor Threat is considered to be seminal in the creation of hardcore punk. D.O.A. came on the scene in 1978 and is still active today so this illustrated history, laid out in soft cover coffee table book style, is quite extensive
- Read the full Talk-Action=0: An Illustrated History of D.O.A. review
Whenever an album starts off with phrases chanted in Latin you can pretty well rest assured that theres eternal damnation just around the corner, and thats exactly what Machine Head brings on I Am Hell, the opening number of Unto the Locust. (4 stars)
- Read the full Machine Head - Unto the Locust review
For this installment of Root 66 Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to Ten out of Tennessee Vol. 4, 35 Years of Stony Plain and Kenny Vaughan new self-titled release.
- Read the full Ten out of Tennessee Vol. 4- 35 Years of Stony Plain- Kenny Vaughan review
With the exception of late album track Raining in Baltimore being meshed into the opening song, Counting Crows perform August and Everything After in the original sequence here (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Counting Crows - August and Everything After Live at Town Hall review
Everybody knows that summers in Arizona are hot, hot, hot, and this year Hot in the City came up with a bright idea to avoid the heat----simply stay inside with a cool beverage or two and listen to music. Then these new releases came along... still hot!
- Read the full The Love Me Nots- Psychostick- The Necronauts review
Fans of the Kings very early work will find this 2-DVD set to be an absolute treasure as it collects more than thirty video clips, many rare, culled from a wide range of sources. (4 stars)
- Read the full Elvis Presley - Elvis: The Great Performances review
Sonic Youth has just released a documentary film shot during their 1991 tour of Europe that also features Nirvana and, in true Sonic Youth fashion, has also released a companion CD featuring non-hits.
- Read the full Battle of the Band: Sonic Youth review
Its Christmas come early for fans of Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio as this long-shelved recording from Rainbows first tour of Europe in 1976 finally sees rerelease. The 2-CD set only contains 8 songs but thats because Blackmore had only recently shed the constraints of Deep Purple (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Rainbow - Live in Germany 1976 review
In a sense Sweetheart of the Sun is more a new beginning for the Bangles than it is a comeback and therefore shouldnt be measured against the successes of the past. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full The Bangles - Sweetheart of the Sun review
Oh my god whats this males-wearing-makeup world coming to? On this sequel to Welcome To My Nightmare, its not thirty seconds into the opening number I Am Made of You that Alice has his vocals running through---gasp---Auto-Tune! (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare review
Theres an obvious push for commercial success here but that shouldnt disappoint fans of the early Anthrax sound but theres still plenty of headbanging to be had and theres superior musicianship on display throughout. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Anthrax - Worship Music review
This film is definitely a keeper and those who have previously only been casual Simply Red fans should recognize here with one viewing what theyve been missing for all these years. (4 stars)
- Read the full Simply Red - Farewell: Live in Concert at Sydney Opera House review
Hank Williams III, son of Hank Bocephus Williams Jr. and grandson of the legendary Hank Williams has released more material in one day than many artists release in a decade or for that matter, a career.
- Read the full 3 From Hank3: Ghost to A Ghost/Gutter Town- Attention Deficit Domination- Cattle Callin' review
Much of Ive Failed You focuses on the thrashy side of Kitties repertoire where Lander delivers sore-throat vocals suited to the bash-your-teeth-in music that weve come to expect from the band. But Kittie has really matured. (4 stars)
- Read the full Kittie - I've Failed You review
Today Kevin Wierzbicki gives new rock releases Puddle of Mudds Re:(Disc)Overed, Love Crushed Velvet, Falling in Reverses The Drug in Me is You a spin and gives us the lowdown.
- Read the full Puddle of Mudd- Love Crushed Velvet- Falling in Reverse review
This documentary provides the most in-depth look at Mott the Hoople that theres ever likely to be and no doubt the most authoritative too since most of the commentary comes from the bands two main men- singer Ian Hunter and guitarist Mick Ralphs. (4 stars)
- Read the full The Ballad of Mott the Hoople 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
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
Today Kevin Wierzbicki takes a look at the latest Live at Montreux releases from Eagle Rock including Rockpiles Live at Montreux 1980, Canned Heats Live at Montreux 1973 and Average White Bands Live at Montreux 1977.
- Read the full Live at Montreux: Rockpile- Canned Heat- Average White Band 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
Wagner is a contributing writer at publications like Metal Edge and RIP Magazine as well as a songwriter and guitarist for the groups Broken Hope and Lupara. Here he channels his energy into his first novel, a story about how an ancient text written by Satan himself
- Read the full The Armageddon Chord review
If the Strokes were 19-year-old Norwegian girls they might have broken onto the scene with a song just like Youth, the tune that leads off this set from Scandinavian up-and-comers Razika. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Razika - Program 91 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
For this edition of Passport, Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to Marizas Fado Tradicional, Guarcos Fiebre, Soca Gold 2011 and Fanfare Ciocarlia vs. Boban & Marko Markovics Balkan Brass Battle.
- Read the full Mariza- Guarco- Soca Gold 2011- Fanfare Ciocarlia vs. Boban & Marko Markovic 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
Kevin takes you on a musical journey around the world with Seun Anikulapo-Kuti & Egypt 80s From Africa With Fury: Rise, Hanggais He Who Travels Far, Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartets Natural Selection and Monty Alexanders Harlem-Kingston Express: Live at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, NYC.
- Read the full Seun Anikulapo-Kuti & Egypt 80- Hanggai- Monty Alexander- Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet review
Kevin Wierzbicki has two Southern Rock heavy weights, 38 Special and Molly Hatchet go head to head for a shootout for their new releases. Who will win, who will lose or will it be a draw? Find out now!
- Read the full Southern Rock Shootout: 38 Special vs. Molly Hatchet review
Its kind of amusing that Steven Tyler would use a variation of the old trick question Does the ringing in my ears bother you? as the title of his memoir. If the goofy question were not rhetorical, the answer would clearly be a resounding Yes!
- Read the full Steven Tyler's Does The Noise in My Head Bother You? review
Kevin takes you on a musical journey around the world with Cheap Stars Speaking Like an Elephant, Bona Heads Colours Doors Planet, Lars Boutrups Music For Keyboardss
The Symphonic Dream and Planting Claymore
- Read the full Cheap Star- Bona Head- Lars Boutrup- Planting Claymore review
In this latest edition of Rock Pile Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to A Pale Horse Named Deaths And Hell Will Follow Me, Coliseum/Burning Loves Live at the Atlantic and Pagans Minds Heavenly Ecstasy.
- Read the full A Pale Horse Named Death- Coliseum/Burning Love- Pagan's Mind review
If you're an avid movie-goer you've probably noticed theaters advertising showings of Project Nim and Life in a Day lately. Those films are just two of nearly fifty documentaries that were previewed at the True/False Film Fest in Columbia, Missouri.
- Read the full Sound & Vision: Columbia, Missouri's True/False Film Fest Road Trip article
Hot in the City showcases the hottest new releases with an Arizona connection. In this edition Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to The Meat Puppets Lollipop and Ronstadt Generations Lulo
- Read the full The Meat Puppets and Ronstadt Generations review
In this latest edition of Root 66, Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to Johnny Cashs From Memphis to Hollywood: Bootleg Vol. II, Jonathan Edwards My Love Will Keep and John Paul Keiths The Man That Time Forgot
- Read the full Root 66: Johnny Cash- Jonathan Edwards- John Paul Keith review
The band may be stuck with the one-hit-wonder label in the former colonies but in their homeland theyve had an amazing 62 charting singles, 22 of which have reached the Top 10. (4 stars)
- Read the full Status Quo - Quid Pro Quo review
Located in southern Indiana just a short drive from Indianapolis, Bloomington is the perfect representation of America's heartland. This is the part of the country that inspired John Mellencamp, currently a Bloomington resident, to write classic celebrations of American life like "Pink Houses," "Jack & Diane" and "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."
- Read the full Hungry for the Heartland? Have a Taste of Bloomington! Road Trip article
American audiences in general are not yet familiar with the music of the Parlotones but theres a good chance that situation is changing at this very moment. In in their homeland of South Africa they may as well be U2. (3 stars)
- Read the full The Parlotones - Live Design review
Kevin Wierzbicki gives new records from Bon Iver, Correatown and Candy Claws/Mike Adams at his Honest Weight a spin for this latest edition of On The Record.
- Read the full Bon Iver- Correatown- Candy Claws/Mike Adams at his Honest Weight review
In this latest edition of Rock Pile Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to Earaches New Noise Attack, Achenars Super Death Explosion Kittens, Kingdom Comes Rendered Waters and New Keepers of the Water Towers The Calydonian Hunt.
- Read the full Earache's New Noise Attack- Achenar- Kingdom Come- New Keepers of the Water Towers review
Kevin Wierzbicki takes a look at new home video releases from Elvis Costello, David Bowie, plus The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou in this latest edition of Quick Flicks.
- Read the full Elvis Costello, David Bowie, The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou review
Rival Sons take their inspiration primarily from the classic blues-rock sounds of the late 60s and early 70s and that it certainly an excellent era to draw from. Fortunately Rival Sons are not into mimicry. This one is meant to blow out cheap speakers and get the neighbors pounding on the wall. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Rival Sons - Pressure & Time review
It is a hallmark of well-written material that it can be adapted to a wide variety of genres and the Moodys material proves to be a good fit for the old-timey, distinctly American music.
- Read the full Moody Bluegrass Two... Much Love: A Nashville Celebration of the Moody Blues review
Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to new rootsy releases Dolly Partons Better Day, Burns & Poes self-titled album and Jonny Burkes Distance and Fortune in this brand new edition of Root 66.
- Read the full Dolly Parton- Burns & Poe- Jonny Burke review
Nashville has a significant music history that goes way beyond the country music that the city is best known for and the SPV label has just released half a dozen archival collections that showcase some other sides of Music City.
- Read the full Spotlight on Nashville review
Daniel Ekeroth knows a thing or two about metal- hes the author of Swedish Death Metal and a veteran of such bands as Tyrant, Insision, Dellamorte and Onkel Kankel. But Ekeroth hasnt spent every single minute thrashing away to a death metal roar
- Read the full Swedish Sensationsfilms: A Clandestine History of Sex, Thrillers and Kicker Cinema review
Def Leppard songs are by default songs that demand attention and participation, so how do they hold up when stripped down and slowed down and turned into lullabies, as they are here?
- Read the full Rock the Cradle Lullabies: Dreamin' With Def Leppard review
Get the blues as Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to new rockin blues releases from Chicago Blues: A Living History, Rory Block and Girls With Guitars Samantha Fish/Cassie Taylor/Dani Wilde.
- Read the full Chicago Blues: A Living History- Rory Block- Samantha Fish- Cassie Taylor- Dani Wilde review
Universal Music has an ongoing project where theyre re-releasing keystone albums from some highly-influential classic rock acts, all loaded with previously impossible-to-find stuff like demos, live versions, alternate takes and other music that was until now collecting dust in the vault
- Read the full The Kinks, Thin Lizzy and Traffic review
Welcome to the Psychedelic Shack, the paisley palace where the incense is always burning and yes, we do feel like you do. Come on in, weve left the (Day-Glo) light on for you
- Read the full Music to Blow Your Mind! review
Kevin Wierzbicki visits the Rock Pile for a listen to the following new releases Korns The Essential Korn, Brian Robertsons Diamonds and Dirt, Winterus In Carbon Mysticism and Olde Growths new self-titled effort.
- Read the full Korn- Brian Robertson (Motorhead - Thin Lizzy)- Winterus- Olde Growth review
Pyle is now a producer and a veteran of the Juno-winning Canadian band Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet but back in 76, where this photo essay begins, he was an underage teenager sneaking into the nightclubs of Toronto just as the punk scene was coming to a head.
- Read the full Trouble in the Camera Club: A Photographic Narrative of Toronto's Punk History 1976-1980 review
From Fear to Eternity is a great chance to catch up for old fans who havent updated their collection since Powerslave, especially considering that this generous sampler can be picked up for around ten bucks. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Iron Maiden - From Fear to Eternity: The Best of 1990-2010 review
With plenty of attitude and mystery to go with his obvious talent and a name like Prince, many may have assumed that the latest fad-maker came from some type of entitled background. But as Draper reveals early in this book, nothing could be further from the truth.
- Read the full Prince: Chaos, Disorder, and Revolution review
There have been lots of high points in the lengthy career of Ozzy Osbourne but regarding his output as a solo artist fans will almost universally point to his first two releases, Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman as his finest recorded works.
- Read the full Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman: 30th Anniversary Editions review
All the performers here remember that the show is about Neil, not them, and play reverently without showboating, allowing the film to capture the sound and vision elegantly. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young review
Picking out a favorite Rock Trip the on this occasion of antiMusic's lucky 13th anniversary wasn't easy but I think you'll like this one about the Dawson City Music Festival that I wrote in 2007.
- Read the full Yukon Flashback Road Trip article
Obviously the book is compiled especially for synth players but music fans in general will be entertained here as well. Among those featured are Trent Reznor, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson Dr. Robert A. Moog, Edgar Winter and more.
- Read the full Keyboard Presents: Synth Gods review
Listening to Roadkill Rising is like pulling an all-nighter with the Godfather of Punk, and as far as that unpredictability factor goes, how about wrapping things up with a cover of the chestnut Willow Weep for Me? Brilliant. (4 stars)
- Read the full Iggy Pop - Roadkill Rising... The Bootleg Collection 1977-2009 review
The latest in the Music Place Series from Roaring Forties, Bob Dylan New York tells the story of Dylans early experiences in the Big Apple through the places where significant things happened.
- Read the full Bob Dylan New York review
Taylor is the president and co-founder of Taylor Guitars and this memoir is mostly about how the company came to fruition and the years of trial-and-error that got them to where they stand now as a leading maker of fine guitars.
- Read the full Guitar Lessons: A Life's Journey Turning Passion into Business review
Thomson has put together a good read for all fans of Johnny Cash but those who hopped on the bandwagon late (or some would say, just in time) during the Rick Rubin American Recordings era will find The Resurrection of Johnny Cash an especially warm read.
- Read the full The Resurrection of Johnny Cash: Hurt, Redemption, and American Recordings review
Clapton, Frampton, Garcia, Blackmore, Beck, Page, Zappa, Trower, Van Halen, Townshend, Gilmour and many more.
- Read the full Guitar Player Presents: Guitar Heroes of the '70s review
Clyne and his mates have for years been one of the southwests favorite party bands, always packing in the crowds at live performances in Arizona and occasionally taking their musical fiesta south of the border for a big blow-out in Mexico
- Read the full Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers - Unida Cantina review
For this special Feelin Irie edition of Passport, Kevin Wierzbicki takes us to the land of Reggae and Dancehall with a look at new releases from Steely and Clevie and Bushman, plus the Strictly the Best Vols. 42 and 43.
- Read the full Special "Feelin' Irie" edition: Reggae and Dancehall review
This band hails from the heartland of America but much of their music has shadings of the west coast or the desert southwest. Theyre not exactly cowboys on acid but a generous amount of psychedelia informs their music
- Read the full Richard the Lionhearted review
The performance captured on this film from March 2010 is musically flawless but it does not hold the lightning-in-a-bottle excitement created by last falls well-received comeback album Red Velvet Car. (3 stars)
- Read the full Heart - Night at Sky Church DVD review
Seraphine was a street tough running with a gang in Chicago when, after a particularly violent rumble, he realized that if something didnt change fast he was on track to become a professional thug, probably employed by the Chicago branch of the mob.
- Read the full Street Player: My Chicago Story review
Saturday April 16th is Record Store Day, a special day where you can purchase limited edition and collectible pieces of vinyl at over 700 participating indie record. In honor of Record Store Day, were busting into our stash of recent vinyl releases.
- Read the full Guns N' Rosa Parks- Candy Golde (Wilco/Cheap Trick)- The Psychedelic SRB (Spiritualized)- Unholy Grave/Neon Hole review
Its been four years since the last solo album from Ashcroft, the former lead singer for the Verve. True to the albums title, United Nations of Sound, Ashcroft is here to try different things. (4 stars)
- Read the full Richard Ashcroft - United Nations of Sound review
Obviously this recording was made in 1963, but to give you a mental picture of where Dylan was career-wise at the time, both of his milestone events were still a couple years in the future and his second album, The Freewhelin Bob Dylan, was not yet in stores. (3 stars)
- Read the full Bob Dylan - In Concert: Brandeis University 1963 review
What Doesnt Kill You is packed with good stuff---this is one of those recordings that make you itch to see the band live and to hope that when you compare notes with your hip friends that you knew about GFJD before they do. (4 stars)
- Read the full Gay For Johnny Depp - What Doesn't Kill You, Eventually Kills You review
Anderson and guitar twang are almost synonymous terms and his playing and production work helped to sell millions of records for country twang-master Dwight Yoakam. But as a teenager he saw some of the greatest blues players and has loved the blues ever since
- Read the full Pete Anderson - Even Things Up review
Who knew in the early 1970s that the Stooges would end up being one of the most-respected and influential punk bands of all time? This live performance of Raw Power in its entirety gives everyone else a chance to catch up nearly four decades later. (4 stars)
- Read the full Iggy and the Stooges - Raw Power Live: In the Hands of the Fans review
This film is not authorized by Pearl Jam or their record label, but really all that means is that certain material could not be used in its making. That didnt keep the filmmakers from putting together a pretty good piece that traces the bands origins
- Read the full Pearl Jam Under Review DVD review
Today Kevin Wierzbicki gives us part I of our special Tag Team review coverage of the brand new vs & Vitalogy 3-CD Deluxe Edition from Pearl Jam which is part of the bands 20th anniversary celebration.
- Read the full Pearl Jam - vs & Vitalogy 3-CD Deluxe Edition: Tag Team Pt I review
The Arcade Fire album The Suburbs Album of the Year Grammy helped to draw attention to the bands hometown of Montreals hot music scene. So what else is going on in the tres chic metropolis? Here are some of the most interesting of recent releases.
- Read the full Montreal Special Edition review
The fact that the band concentrates on musicianship instead of histrionics and between-song patter pays off as Live at the Aragon is aurally and visually riveting from beginning to end. (4 stars)
- Read the full Mastodon - Live at the Aragon review
OK! Good Records is home to a handful of great artists based in Europe that are for the most part unknown in the States. Heres a heads-up on half a dozen new releases from OK! Good acts that are definitely worth hearing.
- Read the full OK! Good Records Special Edition review
Beady Eye in make-up---Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock---is essentially Oasis without Noel Gallagher. No surprise then that Different Gear, Still Speeding sounds like Oasis without Noel Gallagher. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Beady Eye - Different Gear, Still Speeding review
Theres plenty of throwback to the Runaways here but these cats arent afraid to take on the boys too and they answer The Stooges I Wanna Be Your Dog with Come On (I Wanna Be Your Girl). (4 stars)
- Read the full Civet - Love & War review
Punks gone not wild! You may as well take the resumes of Wheeler and Schloss, famed for their stints with seminal punk bands Throw Rag and the Circle Jerks respectively, and toss them in the circular file.
- Read the full Sean Wheeler & Zander Schloss (Throw Rag and Circle Jerks) - Walk Thee Invisible review
Its ironic that John Cale, one of the two main personalities (the other being Lou Reed) behind the Velvet Underground, one of the most influential bands of the past half century, gets mistaken for respected but not-so-influential singer/songwriter J.J. Cale.
- Read the full John Cale & Band Live DVD review
As one of the most influential and popular bands of the early prog scene it is no surprise that the music of Emerson, Lake & Palmer has been fairly relentlessly remastered and repackaged (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Live at Nassau Coliseum '78 review
In this edition of Quick Flicks, Kevin checks out theses new DVD releases: Eric Claptons The 1960s Review, Cactus Live, Loud & Proud and Fair Warnings Talking Aint Enough: Fair Warning Live in Tokyo
- Read the full Eric Clapton, Cactus and Fair Warning review
The album is a hybrid of powerful thrash sounds and classic metal influences like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and the Mighty Motorhead. Misery has good chops and ideas and this solid sophomore effort makes them one to watch.
- Read the full Misery - Evil is Crowned review
After three decades of trying its unlikely that Sodom will suddenly get the recognition they merit but In War and Pieces goes a long ways toward proving that they deserve more.
- Read the full Sodom - In War and Pieces review
Seabury has used his standing in the musician community to plumb the minds and bellies of his metal colleagues for their favorite recipes and published nearly a hundred of them here along with varying degrees of commentary from the chefs.
- Read the full Mosh Potatoes review
The book just isnt funny. I mean this thing is such a turkey that it should come with complimentary cranberry sauce. I hope the book is printed on recycled paper because its a shame to think that trees had to die for this.
- Read the full My Dead Dad Was in ZZ Top review
In this latest edition of Get The Blues, Kevin Wierzbicki gives Todd Sharpvilles Porchlight and Great Northern Blues Society Bake Sale Volume Five a spin.
- Read the full Todd Sharpville and Great Northern Blues Society Bake Sale Volume Five review
Its true. A picture is worth a thousand words. And in the case of this two-volume look at the history of what are commonly referred to as picture sleeves for 45 RPM vinyl singles, a picture is worth considerably more.
- Read the full A History of Collectible American Record Sleeves Volume 1: 50s & 60s and Volume 2: 70s & 80s review
At its heart the book is really a love story as Forsberg-Weiland chronicles how she instantly fell in love with a seemingly disinterested Scott when both were on the brink of fame and fortune
- Read the full Fall to Pieces (Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver) review
Leave it to a British company to take a good look at the roots of American music. The four DVDs in the current flight of releases spotlight the genres of country & western, rhythm & blues, rocknroll and gospel
- Read the full America's Music Legacy DVD Series review
Kevin Wierzbicki kicks off 2011 with a look at some rockin releases from the last part of 2010 including new releases from (hed)p.e.- Shadows Fall- Arson Anthem- Angra- Cough/The Wounded Kings (Split)- Return to Earth
- Read the full (hed)p.e.- Shadows Fall- Arson Anthem- Angra- Cough/The Wounded Kings (Split)- Return to Earth review
Kevin Wierzbicki takes a look at another batch of rock books released in 2010 which are worth your attention. These books include the topics of Janes Addiction- Louis Armstrong- Clapton, Beck, Page- Progressive Heavy Metal and more (5 stars)
- Read the full The Last Page: Rock Reads From Jane's Addiction- Louis Armstrong- Clapton, Beck, Page- Progressive Heavy Metal and more review
Heres a listen to some 2010 releases from Bryan Ferry, Angel Witch, Phil Manzanera, Emilie-Claire Barlow, and JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys that we almost missed that are definitely worth checking out. (5 stars)
- Read the full The Ones That (Almost) Got Away: Bryan Ferry- Angel Witch- Phil Manzanera- Emilie-Claire Barlow- JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys review
Before you pop that champagne cork and butter up your lips for some New Years Eve kissing at midnight, spend a few minutes rounding up some of these 2010 releases and youll surely have a soundtrack to rock painlessly into 2011!
- Read the full Rockin' in the New Year: Helmet- Ill Nino- Kings Destroy- Immolate- Haarp- Zodiac Mindwarp & the Love Reaction review
Kevin Wierzbicki gives us the first installment of his : Recommended Rock Reads from 2010 including books about Stevie Ray Vaughan- Pink Floyd- Todd Rundgren- Songwriting for Dummies and more
- Read the full The Last Page- Recommended Rock Reads from 2010: Stevie Ray Vaughan- Pink Floyd- Todd Rundgren and more review
No matter how hard we try, theres so much new music being released every week that its just impossible to write about all of it. That means that a lot of worthy stuff from both newcomers and established acts alike tends to fall through the cracks. Heres a listen to some 2010 releases that we almost missed that are definitely worth checking out.
- Read the full The Ones That (Almost) Got Away: OMD- Dwight Twilley- Richard Thompson- Bad Cop- Johnny Clegg- Diplomats of Solid Sound review
The Lennon boys, Dhani Harrison and Ringos kid have all gotten through it but theres no doubt that being a son of a Beatle and putting your own music out is tantamount to throwing yourself to the wolves. (3 stars)
- Read the full James McCartney - Available Light review
With all the hoopla and hysteria that usually surrounds any mention of Elvis Presley its not always the first thing to pop to mind that the late icon went through a period when he was more a pouty prince than he was The King. (4 stars)
- Read the full Return of the King: Elvis Presley's Great Comeback review
As the ad campaign for this release cleverly puts it---put some purple haze into your eggnog with this remastered holiday-themed E.P. from Jimi Hendrix! There are only three cuts here but they capture Hendrix in a playful mood
- Read the full Jimi Hendrix - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year review
Kevin Wierzbicki gives new releases from blues artists Eric Sardinas and Big Motor (DVD), Joe Louis Walkers Blues Conspiracy (album) and Claude Hay (album) a spin and gives us the low down.
- Read the full Eric Sardinas and Big Motor- Joe Louis Walker's Blues Conspiracy and Claude Hay review
For this installment of Root 66 Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to new releases from Swampvoodoo, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Aaron Tippin and Friends and the The Jazz & Blues Collection Volume I
- Read the full Swampvoodoo- Gov. Mike Huckabee, Aaron Tippin and Friends- Jazz & Blues Collection review
Theres no doubt that it was a historic and exciting occurrence last June when Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax appeared on the same. Exciting, at least, for the hordes that were there- the buzz does not really translate to the footage contained on this 2 DVD set. (3 stars)
- Read the full Metallica- Slayer- Megadeth- Anthrax: The Big Four Live from Sofia, Bulgaria review
For this installment of Rock Pile, Kevin Wierzbicki presents a special DVD Battle of the Band Edition featuring Michael Schenker Group where Kevin looks at two new DVD releases from the legendary group.
- Read the full Battle of the Band- Michael Schenker Group Vs Michael Schenker Group review
Prolific scribe Thompson has authored more than a hundred books about music and pop culture and here he presents 18 essays not so much about music as they are about the things that informed the music.
- Read the full Bayou Underground: Tracing the Mythical Roots of American Popular Music review
Kevin Wierzbicki kicks off his new review series RockPile today with a look and listen to new releases from Ozzy Osbourne, German hard rockers Emergency Gate and heavy melodic rockers Powerworld.
- Read the full Ozzy Osbourne- Emergency Gate- Powerworld review
Lead singer Ryan Perras also is a member of the Queers and while not exactly emulating that band, The Atom Age has the same penchant for well-written, hooky and memorable three minute songs. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full The Atom Age - Kill Surf City review
The Ruiners encapsulate everything thats cool about garage rock. Happy Birthday Bitch takes an occasional swing at your nose but it also buys you a couple beers; thats a recipe for thrilling fun in any garage. (4 stars)
- Read the full The Ruiners - Happy Birthday Bitch review
In this installment of Root 66, Kevin Wierzbicki give us his take on Roger McGuinns Thunderbyrd, The Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Concert---Live in Vancouver and the latest from The Lucky Tomblin Band.
- Read the full Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd- The Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Concert- The Lucky Tomblin Band review
In this installment of On the Record, Kevin gives the new double vinyl releases from Kate & Anna McGarrigle (The McGarrigle Hour) and Arling and Cameron Present Music for Imaginary Films a spin.
- Read the full Kate & Anna McGarrigle and Arling and Cameron Present Music for Imaginary Films review
Porterhouse continues their loving treatment of the Circle Jerks catalog with this reissue of the bands fourth studio album, 1985s Wonderful. Kevin gives it a spin along with Twin Tigers Gray Waves.
- Read the full Circle Jerks and Twin Tigers review
Kevin Wierzbicki gives new vinyl releases from Axel Rudi Pell, Sodom and Molly Hatchet a spin and gives us the low down in this latest installment of On The Record.
- Read the full Axel Rudi Pell- Sodom- Molly Hatchet review
Megadeths epic Rust in Peace album turned twenty-years-old this year and as is the fad lately the band went on tour specifically to showcase the album by playing it in its entirety every night. (4 stars)
- Read the full Megadeth - Rust in Peace Live review
Kevin Wierzbicki takes a listen to Foghats Last Train Home, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Troubles Couldnt Stand the Weather---Legacy Edition and Piano Reds The Lost Atlanta Tapes.
- Read the full Foghat- Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble- Piano Red review
Fans looking for an expose about Cream need to look elsewhere. Those who want to read about the career of one of rocks gutsiest and most-respected players of all time will love Composing Himself. (4 stars)
- Read the full Jack Bruce: Composing Himself review
Now fans that quit buying Heart albums can come back into the fold with glee. Heart have made a fresh-sounding album that sounds for the most part like it could have come out between Dreamboat Annie and Little Queen without completely bastardizing their own material. (5 stars)
- Read the full Heart - Red Velvet Car review
Kevin takes a look at recent DVD releases including Paul McCartney Really is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison- which deals with the Paul is Dead conspiracy theory, plus Gold: Before Woodstock. Beyond Reality and Ian Dury Rare and Unseen.
- Read the full Paul McCartney Really is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison- Gold: Before Woodstock. Beyond Reality- Ian Dury Rare and Unseen review
The season in the abyss is over! Two titles previously available on DVD, War at the Warfield and Still Reigning are back in circulation along with, for the first time ever on DVD, Live Intrusion. (5 stars)
- Read the full Slayer Live DVDs review
Hawkwind has played almost every type of rock in their forty-plus year career but their specialty is space-rock and thats what youll hear on Blood of the Earth. Lead-off track Seahawks sets the albums tone (4 stars)
- Read the full Hawkwind - Blood of the Earth review
Reno, Nevada is home to the National Championship Air Races and Air Show, a five-day event that attracts the world's top fliers and thousands of spectators who love to watch the pilots in death-defying action
- Read the full Flying High in Reno Road Trip article
Kevin recently took a five-day voyage from New Orleans to sunny Mexico aboard the Carnival cruise ship Triumph and here's just some of what he experienced.
- Read the full Carnival Ride: Cruising to Mexico Road Trip article
Every July Montreux, Switzerland overflows with musicians and music lovers as the Montreux Jazz Festival turns the city into the world's live music capital for two weeks. Kevin's Road Trip week continues with this not to miss trip! (That goes double for Queen fans)
- Read the full Magic Montreux - Switzerland's Music City Road Trip article
Kevin continues his special Road Trip week with a visit to Lake Superior's Canadian Side! If you live in Toronto, Chicago, Milwaukee or one of the other large cities on one of the lakes then you know exactly how "great" these bodies of water are.
- Read the full Big Lake, Big Fun - Lake Superior's Canadian Side Road Trip article
Kevin Wierzbicki kicks off his special Road Trip week with a visit to the Hocking Hills area of Ohio, the perfect place to indulge in outdoor activities like hiking and camping, fishing and wildlife viewing or just sitting and relaxing in the peace and quiet.
- Read the full Hoedown in the Hills: Exploring Ohio's Hocking Hills Road Trip article
This album supposedly completes a seven-album cycle that Glenn envisioned way back in 1987 so theres no telling where hell take the band from here. In the meantime Danzig sound great right where they are. (4 stars)
- Read the full Danzig - Deth Red Sabaoth review
Kevin Wierzbicki takes us across the globe once again with a look at new releases from Mike Patton, Thulium, and Psychopathic Romantics in this latest edition of Passport!
- Read the full Mike Patton- Thulium- Psychopathic Romantics review
What the zine had going for it was the high entertainment value provided by the uncensored output of its publishers and primary writers, Tesco Vee of the Meatmen and his pal Dave Stimson.
- Read the full Touch and Go: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine '79-'83 review
Root 66 returns with Kevin Wierzbicki taking over the reigns as he looks at the recent releases of Johnny Cashs Setlist: The Very Best of Johnny Cash Live and Pogeys Full Speed Ahead.
- Read the full Johnny Cash's Setlist: The Very Best of Johnny Cash Live and Pogey's Full Speed Ahead review
Kevin gives new vinyl releases from White Flag, Hole, Modest Mouse and Doro a spin and gives you the lowdown in this latest edition of On the Record.
- Read the full White Flag- Hole- Modest Mouse and Doro review
Psychedelia is the order of the day for this three-man, one-woman quartet from Dayton, Ohio, and they start their aural odyssey with Weve Been Burned, a Jefferson Airplane-like slice of mind expansion (4 stars)
- Read the full Lab Partners - Moonlight Music review
Kevin takes a look at new DVD releases: 70s Ramones classic RocknRoll High School, the iconic 80s punk drama Suburbia and Klaus Schulze featuring Lisa Gerrards Dziekuje Bardzo.
- Read the full Rock'n'Roll High School, Suburbia, and Klaus Schulze featuring Lisa Gerrard review
Kevin Wierzbicki gives new vinyl releases from Rhapsody- X- Meat Puppets- Peter Gabriel/Stephin Merritt a spin.
- Read the full Rhapsody- X- Meat Puppets- Peter Gabriel/Stephin Merritt review
Celebration is a greatest hits package of sorts, done in an unusual way. The band (guitarist Mick Box is the only remaining original member) has re-recorded a dozen of their favorite tracks from the past (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Uriah Heep - Celebration review
If you liked the Molly Hatchet of days gone by you will not be disappointed with Justice. Or if youve ever wondered what this thing called southern rock actually is Justice is a perfect place to start your research. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Molly Hatchet - Justice review
Cutlers early vocation was that of teacher but his initial experimentation with LSD was the catalyst that sent him off down a path that would eventually lead to gigs as tour manager for the Rolling Stones and then the Grateful Dead. (4 stars)
- Read the full You Can't Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Other Wonderful Reprobates review
The original line up is back after a twenty-year hiatus with a surprisingly strong set. The band hasnt changed their style; you could be forgiven for hearing any of the eleven tracks here and thinking you were listening to AC/DC (4 stars)
- Read the full Krokus - Hoodoo review
Its been about six years since Auf der Maur has put out new music and her sound has evolved considerably. Perhaps its just a natural progression or maybe its a purposeful effort to distance herself from her days with Hole and the Smashing Pumpkins. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Melissa Auf der Maur - Out of Our Minds review
Kevin Wierzbicki gives new vinyl releases from The Rolling Stones- Girl in a Coma and James Chance a spin
- Read the full The Rolling Stones- Girl in a Coma- James Chance review
This revue style concert featured James Brown, Jan and Dean, Chuck Berry, Gerry and the Pacemakers and a host of Motown acts like the Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. The Rolling Stones close the show. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full The T.A.M.I. Show review
Most of the bands only album, last years Chickenfoot, is performed here with relish and professionalism and without excess flash. (4 stars)
- Read the full Chickenfoot - Get Your Buzz On Live review
If you consider that acts like AC/DC have been going strong for forty years by recycling their own riffs you cant really blame a group like Sevendust for doling out more of the same old-same old here, especially since its something that works out nicely for them (3 stars)
- Read the full Sevendust - Cold Day Memory review
It would be inappropriate to compare the work of core members Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann to that of Bruce Springsteen but the two acts reveal their ethos in similar manners, albeit with different accents. (4.5 stars)
- Read the full BoDeans - Mr. Sad Clown review
Barbados is relatively large compared to most Caribbean islands and there's a lot to explore no matter what direction you head in. If you come to Barbados in April you can add some sonic dessert to your menu by attending the Barbados Reggae Festival
- Read the full Reggae Fest, Rum and Flying Fish: It's Delicious Barbados! Road Trip article
The record was a commercial flop when first released in 1973 but it has turned out to have legs like no other title in the Iggy Pop canon. This 2-CD package includes a remastered version of the album and long time fans should be able to discern the upgrade (4 stars)
- Read the full Iggy and the Stooges - Raw Power: Legacy Edition review
Kevin takes us around the world to experience music from distant lands. This time we discover music from Madagascar native Razia, Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate, the very best of Africa and Alan Lomax in Haiti.
- Read the full Razia- Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate- The Very Best of Africa and Alan Lomax in Haiti review
Bluesmen tend to have lots of material in the can so this is probably not the last well hear from Allison but if it is you could not ask for a better farewell. Most of the show is included on a bonus DVD.
- Read the full Luther Allison - Songs From the Road review
This time out we take a listen to six underground punk bands that have new music out on 7 splits. All come in picture sleeves and all play at 33 RPM. Wednesday Night Heroes/For the Worse- Dios Mio/Bring That Sh*t- Black Market Fetus/Brodys Militia
- Read the full Punk Splits! review
Amazingly, Echoes contains a listing of every known Pink Floyd concert ever given and includes the set list for each show from 1970 forward. And thats just the beginning of all thats packed into this coffee table-style tome-if it has to do with the Floyd it is here.
- Read the full Echoes - The Complete History of Pink Floyd review
After forty years of arena-rocking the band has announced that theyll be retiring from touring at the conclusion of their Get Your Sting and Blackout tour. Sting in the Tail is the companion piece to the farewell tour and the final Scorpions album. (3.5 stars)
- Read the full Scorpions - Sting in the Tail review
Clearly theres a great read waiting if Seasick ever decides to pen his memoirs; in the meantime the few chapters set to music here provide a riveting primer.
- Read the full Seasick Steve - Man From Another Time review
In a move thats a major treat for Hendrix fans and rock historians, the vaults have been scoured to come up with a dozen previously unreleased cuts for Valleys of Neptune. All of the songs here have been heard before but in different forms. (4 stars)
- Read the full Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune review
Kevin takes a look and listen at new vinyl releases from Jimi Hendrix, The Love Me Nots, and Panther in this latest edition of On The Record.
- Read the full Jimi Hendrix, The Love Me Nots, and Panther review
The girls mostly tap into a Runaways/Donnas mash up on this seven song debut E.P., wildly tossing around slashing guitar riffs (some by Radio Birdman guitarist Deniz Tek) and garage rock rhythms like theyre empty PBR cans or spent boyfriends. (4 stars)
- Read the full Gorevette - Lustfully Yours review
Following Ozzy through several decades of highs and lows in this manner is exhilarating. The book is so well edited that when the story leaves off (at a point in 2009) the reader can hardly wait for what Ozzy does next. (5 stars)
- Read the full Rock Reads: Ozzy Osbourne's I Am Ozzy review
When it comes to Mardi Gras, everybody has the same thing on their mind: beads! And when you spend Mardi Gras in Lake Charles, Louisiana you'll find the strands are ubiquitous, smiling back at you from everywhere you look.
- Read the full Throw Me Something, Mister! - Mardi Gras in Lake Charles Road Trip article
This thirty-three song set on two CDs will please Bowie fans from all eras and collectors will welcome the 3 tunes included here that were previously unavailable- versions of China Girl, Fall Dog Bombs the Moon and Breaking Glass. (4 stars)
- Read the full David Bowie - A Reality Tour review
Folklore has it that the portion of the Tennessee River that flows through Muscle Shoals, Alabama, got its nickname "The Singing River" because a young maiden was so enthralled with the rhythm of the waterway that she couldn't help but add a melody.
- Read the full The Magic of Muscle Shoals - Something in the Water? Road Trip article
Its been quite a chore for fans of Suicidal Tendencies to find hard copies of any video footage of the band lately. So its like manna from punk-rock heaven that Live at the Olympic Auditorium, shot way back in October of 2005, is finally being released. (4 stars)
- Read the full Suicidal Tendencies - Live at the Olympic Auditorium review
Some may know this versatile guitarist from his work with The Band. Weider has also performed or recorded with an endless list of greats including Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Graham Parker, Keith Richards and Lee Rocker. Pulse, however, sounds like none of these artists (4 stars)
- Read the full Jim Weider's Project Percolator - Pulse review
When the topic of conversation comes around to music that came out of the northwestern part of the country undoubtedly most folks today would point to the Seattle grunge scene and probably Nirvana in particular.
- Read the full Sonic Boom: The History of Northwest Rock from Louie Louie to Smells like Teen Spirit review
The late comedian Andy Kaufman was one of those talents that people either loved or hated. For those who werent around back then the introduction by Kaufmans lady friend Lynne Margulies does a good job of explaining how the whole thing came about.
- Read the full Dear Andy Kaufman I Hate Your Guts review
Do you have a friend or family member whos lacking a little bit in the testosterone department? Would you say this person is a wet noodle, a weakling, or perhaps a milquetoast?
- Read the full The Bigger Damner Book of Sheer Manliness review
antiMusics traveling scribe Kevin Wierzbicki takes a sonic journey around the world with new releases from Insingizi (Zimbabwe), Kailash Kher & Kailasa (India) and Susana Baca (Peru).
- Read the full Insingizi- Kailash Kher & Kailasa- Susana Baca review
Kevin Wierzbicki gives new vinyl releases from As Tall As Lions and French Miami a spin to see if they belong on your turntable!
- Read the full As Tall As Lions and French Miami review
Instead of coming across as a history lesson, a reading of Grunge is Dead is more like sitting around and having a few beers with all these folks while they speak candidly. Over a hundred musicians and scenesters were interviewed for the book.
- Read the full Grunge is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music by Greg Prato review
Kevin Wierzbicki checks out the new DVD releases All Tomorrows Parties, The Rebirth of Cool: U2 in the Third Millennium, Umphreys McGee Live, and Renaissance Song of Scheherazade and he gives us the lowdown.
- Read the full All Tomorrow's Parties- U2- Umphrey's McGee- Renaissance review
Alter Bridge fans will eat up this new concert film that was shot in Amsterdam last year. Twenty-four cameras capture the show in high-definition and while Kennedy and guitarist Tremonti get the bulk of the lens time. (4 stars)
- Read the full Alter Bridge - Live From Amsterdam review
Final Gravity has a deep respect for classic rock and especially for Rush. You can go right down the set list and call off the influences, youll hear Metallica, Kiss and the Cult. But it always comes back to Rush in one way or another. (4 stars)
- Read the full Final Gravity - Final Gravity review
Its not often that a band whose members are still in high school draws raves from a respected rocker like ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. But Age of Evil has done just that. Kevin gives you more on this and other hot new releases from AZ bands!
- Read the full Age of Evil, Triple Double Band, blessthefall and The Word Alive review
A whos who of music greats team up to pay tribute to Love & Rockets and Kevin pays tribute to the color vinyl LP release and 7 color single. Plus he reviews the new vinyl disc from Wax Tailor featuring ASM.
- Read the full New Tales to Tell---A Tribute to Love & Rockets- Wax Tailor review
Its probably a good thing that this legendary, highly sought-after concert film has been kept under wraps for seventeen years. Its now been long enough that the viewer can simply enjoy the performance for what it is. (5 stars)
- Read the full Nirvana - Live at Reading DVD/CD review
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