Category Archives: Music

Beautiful, But Not Paradise (a Nobel for Barack)

Giving the Nobel Prize to our new president, after less than 300 days in office, seems not just surprising but a little too flattering, doesn't it?  Still, as the Prez said, as a call to action — on climate, as much as any issue — it's a worthy gesture.  Personally, I would like to giveContinue reading “Beautiful, But Not Paradise (a Nobel for Barack)”

Can’t They See the World’s on Fire?

We haven't even reached the real Santa Ana season yet, and yet the hellish feeling of being trapped in a SoCal with a conflagration at our backs is all too with us these days. Even if it's not true at this moment. So instead of posting about climate change again (oh gawd) I'm going toContinue reading “Can’t They See the World’s on Fire?”

Wilco (the show) (at the Wiltern)(on Tuesday 6/23)

Wilco has a new record out at the end of this month, called Wilco (the album) which includes Wilco (the song). In their show at the Wiltern Theater last night in Los Angeles, lead singer Jeff Tweedy aggressively hawked "the merch booth," and especially the "awesome program." Couldn't tell if he was being ironic orContinue reading “Wilco (the show) (at the Wiltern)(on Tuesday 6/23)”

Jay Bennett is in the stars now…

Sad news: Jay Bennett, who played with Jeff Tweedy in the band known as Wilco, died over the weekend. Although Wilco became a big rock band sometime between Being There and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, for many fans their high watermark remains the epochal Mermaid Avenue project. For this record, Woody Guthrie's daughter Nora asked WilcoContinue reading “Jay Bennett is in the stars now…”

Holiday for Rock Fans: Wilco Streams New Record

In response to an unauthorized release, Wilco does the generous thing and streams their new record — to be released at the end of next month — on their site. Sounds damn good, but you have to be tough to listen to it…"One Wing" might break your heart. "You and I" will touch it, forContinue reading “Holiday for Rock Fans: Wilco Streams New Record”

Cheney, Dust, and Bob Dylan

Marc Ambinder (here) explains how the GOP is putting its foot into its mouth, or shooting itself in the foot…or some combination thereof. Each time Cheney opens his mouth, the DNC — or Robert Gibbs, if he's in the mood — finds a way to reduce Republican opposition to President Obama's plans to the wordsContinue reading “Cheney, Dust, and Bob Dylan”

The American Idea, According to Bruce Springsteen

Al Filreis, the UPenn prof who knows as much about American poetry as nearly anyone alive (heck, he has roughly twelve freaking blogs on the subject) links to a big story in the inevitable New York Times about Bruce Springsteen, and endorses the idea that Springsteen is "The Rock Laureate." Jon Pareles is a goodContinue reading “The American Idea, According to Bruce Springsteen”

Fleet Foxes: Best of 2008

If there's one new group that made every "Best of 2008" list I saw, it was the Fleet Foxes. Via the resourceful Aquarium Drunkard, here's a knock-out live set from the Netherlands six weeks ago, The group was opening for Ben Folds. Sorry, but who? Or you can see them on Letterman, featuring a mandolin.Continue reading “Fleet Foxes: Best of 2008”

Eliza Gilkyson on the Incompetence of the Neo-Cons

From my piece in the Ventura County Reporter, available here, on Eliza Gilkyson. This fascinating folk-singer had some tough words for the neo-cons: “When we elected the neo-cons, I think we all expected that they would be able to keep the balls in the air a little longer than they have,” she said. “I thoughtContinue reading “Eliza Gilkyson on the Incompetence of the Neo-Cons”