Music

Chris Sauthoff has learned a thing or two from George Clinton. Working alongside the legendary godfather of funk, first in the studio and then on the road, the U.S. Pipe leader, who goes by the name Citrus, picked up a few studio tricks that he used on his band’s self-titled…

“Women have a sixth sense. They know when they’re gonna get laid.” I forget where and when I first heard that, but I’ve thought about it many times since. Guys may have some idea if they’re going to get lucky, but usually only the women know for certain — and,…

A lot of bands throw out the artistic trope that their music doesn’t really fit into a category — and more often than not, it’s nonsense perpetrated by those who are definitely writing music in a specific style. In contrast, Spoke Shaver shamelessly lets fly with its influences, from the…

Being single on Valentine’s Day is a lot like being Amish in America, which is to say you are rendered completely irrelevant. You’re a roadside freak show, a meaningless distraction for gawking tourists who drive by almost mockingly to ponder your quaint ways, perhaps purchase some jam, then return to…

Don McLean famously described February 3, 1959, when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper lost their lives in an Iowa plane crash, as “the day the music died” — but that’s only because he wrote “American Pie” decades before three members of the group Yes appeared on the…

When an act gets dropped by a major label, its album typically gets shelved and the band implodes. The Little Ones bucked that trend. Instead of parting in a fit of acrimonious melodrama, they decided to focus on writing songs that would only be released if everyone in the band…

The music made by Kanaan Warsame, who performs as K’naan, is as eclectic as his background. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, he came of age during that country’s bloody and seemingly endless civil war before emigrating first to the U.S. and later to Canada during the early ’90s. Since then, he’s…

P.O.S lives up to the ambitious title of his third album on the Rhymesayers label, Never Better. Having produced two-thirds of the album on his own, this veteran of the Minneapolis hardcore punk scene melds distorted guitars, blues-holler samples, Fugazi references and the hard edges of punk with head-noddin’ hip-hop…

Although Alex Lilly sings backup for the well-known indie-rock outfit The Bird and the Bee, she fronts this charming lounge-pop act, whose pacing and atmospherics are reminiscent of late-’80s XTC with lush, soothing tones bolstering sharp, incisive lyrics. The odd yet entrancing melodies should appeal to fans of Helium’s rich…

The self-titled debut from Grandpa Mojo is a solid introduction for an up-and-coming talent. Its twelve tracks of dubby breakbeat are a showcase for Grandpa’s top-notch production skills, solid tunes and impressive musical acumen. Musically, Mojo mixes up a nice blend of stellar synthesizer timbres and organic instruments including stand-up…

Over the years, the term “hippie music” has come to mean meandering jams with guitar solos that can be timed with an hourglass. But during the first generation of the 20th century’s most hirsute social movement, the phrase also applied to the tuneage of antic folk loons with a fondness…

Technically, Howl at the Moon is a re-release of material from Eyes and Ears’ debut. Still, the vinyl brings a warmer sound to what were already excellent songs. This band and these tracks bridge the gap between raw rock and punk: “Howl at the Moon” sounds less like a throwback…

Clearly, Wil Key put a lot of work into his latest effort, from singing and playing most of the instruments to tapping five-time Grammy nominee Ryan West (Beyoncé, Jay-Z) to engineer the disc, which was recorded in New York, Los Angeles and Denver. He also recruited a number of deft…

Feeling crazy in love this Valentine’s Day? Well, then, his or her mix CD had better include some great love songs. Recently dumped? Then you’re probably listening to some heartbreak songs to help you wallow in your miserable heartache. As for the rest of us? The ones who know whom…

DJ Konrad Black is all about the dirty, dirty bass. His signature sound evolved from his involvement in the drum-and-bass scene, and echoes of the dark, deadly tones so prevalent in that form make up the basis of his distinctive take on techno. His work as a producer has made…

Psst…hey there…what are you doing for lunch today? Right. Yeah, uh, no, correction: That’s what you were doing. Here’s what on tap now: Quickly make up some reason to give your boss for why you need to take a later (say around 2 p.m.) and, ahem, longer lunch today, then…

Earlier this week, the Fray captured the top spot at Twist & Shout, and we wondered if that trend would carry over nationally. Well, it looks like indeed it has, as Isaac Slade and company have toppled Springsteen, as Billboard put it, to claim the number-one slot on Billboard 200, by…