Great American Music!

Album Review: Weezer, “Weezer (The Red Album)”

There’s much familiarity in the dynamics and hookiness of “Red,” Weezer [ tickets ]’s third self-titled, color-coded album (”Blue” was released in 1994, “Green” in 2001), and sixth full-length set. However, unlike the brooding, stark “Pinkerton” or crystalline “Make Believe,” “Red” is equal parts youthful devil-may-care “Blue” exuberance and approaching-40-something devil-may-care, well, exuberance.

Therein lies [...]

New Album Releases 04/29/08: Madonna, Steve Winwood, Portishead, The Roots, Def Leppard, Mudcrutch, Zappa Plays Zappa & More

This is a great track
With most, if not all eyes on the new Madonna album hitting stores this week, it’d be easy to overlook the “other stuff” out there — but it would also be a mistake.
There are plenty of interesting choices for just about every taste imaginable in this week’s new release offerings. These [...]

Music Review: Whitesnake CD

Whitesnake “Good To Be Bad” (SPV): It’s only April, but Whitesnake has laid down the marker for the best hard rock record of the year; anyone wanting the crown will have to top this excellent effort, the band’s first new studio album in 11 years.
The masters of melodic metal, led by frontman David Coverdale, have [...]

Fine album has slightly bitter taste

‘Keep It Simple’ Van Morrison
One of pop music’s finest singers follows the advice of the title on this good, but not great, album.
Over the gentle guitars, organ, accordion, rhythm section and female backing vocalists, Morrison, 62, adds his ukulele, saxophone and, of course, that supple and soulful voice to 11 originals.
There are fun songs, [...]

Concert Review: George Clinton and his funky Mothership rock the Senator Theatre

The Mothership landed in Chico Saturday night, as George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic brought the funk to the Senator Theatre, courtesy of J-Max Productions.
Gone is the actual space ship stage set from the late 1970s, but the controlled chaos and many of the musicians remain, including lead guitarists Blackbyrd McKnight and Michael “Kidd Funkadelic” [...]