Music | Thursday, January 26,2006

The guitar is the star

You can be a hobo, a maestro, or in the case of artists on Imaginational Anthem, a little of both

Various Artists Imaginational Anthem: A Guitar Anthology (Near Mint) O glorious guitar, the sound of wood made radiant, the sound of metal made vegetal, a vibrating

Music | Thursday, January 19,2006

Rediscovering Kate Bush

Aerial will reignite your appreciation for her sensual world

By René Spencer Saller

Confession time: Until about a month ago, I hadn’t been listening to much Kate Bush, and I’m not sure why. True, she hadn’t put out a record in 12 years, an

Music | Thursday, January 12,2006

Fifty years of harmony

Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus marks milestone this year

By Richard S. Brumleve

“I love to hear those minor chords and good close harmony.” — from “The Old Songs” (words and music by Geoffre

Music | Thursday, January 12,2006

A prodigy’s odyssey

After more than two decades, James "Blood" Ulmer’s Odyssey trio is back

By René Spencer Saller

After a hiatus spanning more than two decades, guitarist James “Blood” Ulmer’s Odyssey trio has returned with a new album, a 55-minute tour de force that ne

Music | Thursday, January 5,2006

The King of country

He could have been as big as Johnny Cash

By René Spencer Saller

Cast King Saw Mill Man (Locust Media) If fate had dealt Cast King another hand, he might be as famous as the late Johnny Cash. Like his more celebrated c

Music | Thursday, December 29,2005

Long-distance relationship

Physical proximity, it would seem, is overrated

By René Spencer Saller

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan Ramblin’ Man (V2) Who says long-distance relationships never work? Despite being separated by some 8,000 m

Music | Wednesday, December 21,2005

They come bearing gifts

A peace offering to Bill O’Reilly and other right-wing cranks

By René Spencer Saller

Dear Bill O’Reilly: As a godless liberal, I have no reason to like you. Your unctuous smirk and smarmy patter got on my nerves when you w

Music | Thursday, December 15,2005

A blissful sound

Mi and L’au invite you to join their lovefest

By René Spencer Saller

Mi and L'au Mi and L'au (Young God Records) You don’t know Mi and L’au, but you know a couple like them: beautiful,

Music | Thursday, December 8,2005

Serenity then — and again

Vashti Bunyan makes a comeback with Lookaftering

By René Spencer Saller

here are comebacks, and then there are comebacks. The gap between British folksinger Vashti Bunyan’s debut, Just Another Diamond Day, and its follow-up, Lookaftering,&n

Music | Thursday, December 1,2005

At least Granny rocks

An 83-year-old highlights the Fiery Furnaces’ latest effort

By René Spencer Saller

The Fiery Furnaces Rehearsing My Choir (Rough Trade) If you thought Blueberry Boat was a buttload of bull, steer clear of Rehearsing My Choir, a wildly p