March 2007
Event Reviews
Badly Drawn Boy
Despite the charming accent, Brittany Sturges wasn't won over by Badly Drawn Boy'sperformance.
Billy Joel
It matters not that Billy Joel released his first album in 1971, when the Piano Man tours, he sells venues out. Jen Cray was among the 16,000 inside Orlando's Amway Arena who spent an evening with the Pop legend.
Deerhoof
It's taken Deerhoof thirteen years to grab widespread attention, but now that the media is paying attention the fans have followed. Jen Cray was one among many who crammed into The Social in Orlando, FL, to see what all the fuss is about.
Dr. Dog
The last we saw Dr. Dog, they were opening for The Raconteurs. Jen Cray couldn't resist seeing how their inspired 30-minute set translated to a full set on a stage of their own.
Dragonforce
As the Killswitch Engage/Dragonforce tour sped into Orlando for a sold-out night of metal mayhem, Jen Cray geared up for a night of epic headbangin'.
Moros Eros
Moros Eros are the most exciting band to call Victory Records home in years. Baffled as to why they were billed opening for an electro/emo artist, Jen Cray showed up at their Orlando show to congratulate them on their greatness.
Slayer
Slayer and Unearth bring the heaviness back to thrash and remind Orlando that metal is meant to be dangerous. Jen Cray was in the middle of it all.
Sleeping at Last
Chris Catania was just one member of a Chicago crowd awed into silence by the beautiful songs of Sleeping at Last and the Smoking Popes' Josh Caterer.
Sparklehorse
Chris Catania saw Sparklehorse transcend nasty weather and nastier flu to deliver a transcendent set of American Gothic. What's your excuse?
Summerbirds In The Cellar
The four perfectionists who run the Summerbirds In The Cellar machine consistently put on the best show of any Central Florida band I've seen. Billed behind them on a late night gig at Orlando's BackBooth was Attached Hands, For Ex Lovers Only, Derek Lyn Plastic. Staying until the very late, late end was Jen Cray.
Interviews
Glenn Hamzinger
Singer of the world's fattest Misfits tribute band talks to James Greene between chews. An interview with Misfats lead singer Glenn Hamzinger.
Patrick Krief
The Dears' mighty guitarist Patrick Krief has stepped up to the plate to write, perform and produce his very first solo effort. Just a week before the release of his debut solo work, and while still on the road with his band, he took the time to talk with Jen Cray.
Slings & Arrows
Indie rock or Shakespeare? Chicago's Slings & Arrows gives Chris Catania the lowdown.
The Kooks
Straight from a music school in Brighton to the top of the charts in England, The Kooks are the United Kingdom's answer to The Strokes. Jen Cray spoke with their charming frontman Luke Pritchard about making it in the States.
The Mesmers
Kyrby Raine chats with Michael Fitzgerald, the openly homosexual lead singer of the Washington, D.C. indie band Mesmers, who have critics praising their Doors-meets-Ramones sound and gay men guessing wrong who is actually gay in the group.
Music Reviews
Music A
Anagram
The Lights Went Up (Scenery). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Music B
Nat Baldwin
Enter the Winter (Broken Sparrow). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Bayside
The Walking Wounded (Victory). Review by Jen Cray.
Bloc Party
A Weekend In The City (Vice). Review by Jen Cray.
Dario Boente & Huge In Japan
Huge In Japan (Self-Released). Review by Kyrby Raine.
Born To Lose
Sweet Misery (Sailor's Grave). Review by Jen Cray.
Ane Brun
A Temporary Dive (V2). Review by Aaron Shaul.
music B
The Bullys
BQE Overdrive (Self-Released). Review by James Greene Jr..
Music C
Cake On Cake
I Guess I Was Daydreaming (Desolation). Review by Aaron Shaul.
music C
Todd Carey
Watching Waiting (Inspiration Factory/Fontana). Review by Andrew Ellis.
Music C
Mary Chapin Carpenter
The Calling (Zoë/Rounder Records). Review by Andrew Ellis.
Eric Chenaux
Dull Lights (Constellation). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Some Loud Thunder (Self-Released). Review by Jen Cray.
Music D
Damiera
M(US)IC (Equal Vision). Review by Jen Cray.
Damsel
Distressed (Temporary Residence). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Dawn of Man
In the Bronze Age (Postfact). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Dear Nora
There is No Home (Magic Marker). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Deerhoof
Friend Opportunity (Kill Rock Stars). Review by Jen Cray.
Desole
A Story To Tell (Abacus). Review by Addam Donnelly.
Diamonds in the Rough
Diamonds in the Rough (Gravitation). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Dirty Pretty Things
Bang Bang You're Dead EP (Vertigo/Interscope). Review by Jen Cray.
Drop Dead, Gorgeous
In Vogue (Rise Records). Review by Carl F Gauze.
Music F
Feist
Open Season: Remixes and Collabs (Cherrytree). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Freya
Life The Curse (Victory). Review by Jen Cray.
Music G
Grand Champeen
Dial T for This (In Music We Trust). Review by Tim Wardyn.
Music H
Hail Social
Modern Love & Death (Polyvinyl). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Ernie Halter
Congress Hotel (Rock Ridge). Review by Andrew Ellis.
Albert Hammond Jr.
Yours To Keep (New Line). Review by Jen Cray.
Music I
Illinois
What The Hell Do I Know? (Ace Fu). Review by Jen Cray.
Isis + Aereogramme
In the Fishtank 14 (Konkurrent). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Music J
Michael Jantz
Snapshots of the Universe (Ruby Records). Review by Andrew Ellis.
The Junior League
Catchy (Greenleaves Sound / Lost Resort Records). Review by Carl F Gauze.
Music K
Mary Karlzen
The Wanderlust Diaries (Dualtone). Review by Andrew Ellis.
Kelis
Kelis Was Here (LaFace). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Dustin Kensrue
Please Come Home (Equal Vision). Review by Jen Cray.
Kitsunй Maison Compilation 3
Kitsunй Maison Compilation 3 (Kitsunй). Review by Omar de la Rosa.
Patrick Krief
EP (Self-Released). Review by Jen Cray.
Kristoffer Nystroms Orkester
brakeHEAD (Malignant). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Music L
The Late Cord
Lights From The Wheelhouse (4AD). Review by Matthew Moyer.
LCD Soundsystem
Sound of Silver (DFA Records). Review by Omar de la Rosa.
Lovedrug
Everything Starts Where It Ends (The Militia Group). Review by Jen Cray.
Music N
The New Lou Reeds
Top Billin' (Exit Stencil). Review by James Greene Jr..
Music O
Orbit Service
Songs of Eta Carinae (Beta-lactam). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Carey Ott
Lucid Dream (Dualtone). Review by Andrew Ellis.
Music P
Pat McGee Band
Vintage Stages Live (Kirtland). Review by Andrew Ellis.
Lee Scratch Perry
Panic in Babylon (Narnack). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Pure Reason Revolution
The Dark Third (Red Ink). Review by Michael Crown.
Music R
Red Wanting Blue
The Warehouse Sessions (Self-Released). Review by Andrew Ellis.
River City High
Not Enough Saturday Nights (Take Over Records). Review by Carl F Gauze.
Rye Coalition
Curses (Gern Blandsten). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Music S
Fortunes
Songs From the Movie (Pravda). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Cheb i Sabbah
La Ghriba: La Kahena Remixed (Six Degrees Records). Review by Kiran Aditham.
Sebadoh
III (Domino). Review by Jen Cray.
Billy Joe Shaver
The Real Deal (Compadre Records). Review by Tim Wardyn.
Shaw-Blades
Influence (VH1 Classic). Review by Andrew Ellis.
Six Parts Seven
Casually Smashed To Pieces (Suicide Squeeze). Review by Jen Cray.
Sleepyard
Easy Tensions (Orange). Review by Aaron Shaul.
The Snake The Cross The Crown
Cotton Teeth (Equal Vision). Review by Jen Cray.
Sneaky Thieves
Accident(s) (Other Electricities). Review by Aaron Shaul.
The Soul of John Black
The Good Girl Blues (Cadabra Records). Review by James Mann.
Music T
T-Virus
Horror Thirteen (Blood and Guts). Review by Jen Cray.
Traindodge
On a Lake of Dead Trees +2 (Ascetic). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Music V
Jason Vigil
Heart Gone Sober. Review by Andrew Ellis.
Music W
Westbound Train
Transitions (Hellcat). Review by Jen Cray.
Willard Grant Conspiracy
Let It Roll (Dahlia). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Wolfmother
Wolfmother (Interscope). Review by Michael Crown.
Print Reviews
I Am 8-Bit
The Eighties were the golden age of Nintendo, Sega and Atari and the most consistently ridiculous and entertaining concepts in video game history. I Am 8-BiT collects art pieces inspired by this era. Aaron Shaul wishes there were more Konami and Capcom.
Owly: Flying Lessons
Heather Lorusso can't help but be charmed by Andy Runton's comic creation, Owly and a visual world without language, but plenty of heart and kindness.
All Star Companion Volume 2
Somewhere between comic fandom and pop culture research lives this exhaustive (but not exhausting) look at the first superhero club, the Justice Society of America. Matthew Moyer ponders the membership.
Who I Am and What I Want
David Shrigley tries to explain who he is and what he wants... and yet, Brittany Sturgesstill isn't quite sure.
Modern Masters Volume Nine: Mike Wieringo
Some may claim that Wieringo's induction as a "modern master" may be premature. Matthew Moyer disagrees, and he'll wave this book in your face to prove it.
Screen Reviews
Assassination in Rome / Espionage in Tangiers
Two 60's spy flicks packaged like a night at the drive-in, complete with trailers and snack bar promos. Carl F Gauze is hogging the Milk Duds.
The 300
The Battle of Thermopylae is revisited with glamour, guts and fancy special effects. Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller. Rob Levy screams, "Onward!"
The Sensational 70s
A 10-hour look at "The Me Decade" circa 1980? This mammoth documentary has James Greene flashing back, not to those halcyon days, but watching this faded filmstrip in a high school classroom.
