"The Church of Jesse Malin" - a 'reprint' from "Back to Rockville" (with appreciation)

Jesse is working on a new record. I'm a fan. I dropped a few bucks into the kitty for his Pledge Music campaign to finance the record. This is the future of prerecorded music for artists with realistic ambitions and sincere aims - like listener supported radio, listener supported artistry. I love that there are still mid-size labels like Merge, Sub Pop, Matador, and In the Red who are motivated by the music, and find some way to survive, even thrive in this new music business model (whatever that is). Truly, I do. But outside of a few viable small to mid-size labels, labels that understand the artist and the audience, the old record business model and the labels that dominated it are a tiresome joke, sliding toward death.

So, if you love an artist, kick in a few bucks. Buy tickets to their shows, fork out for a t-shirt if you can afford it. Buy them a drink if they show an inclination. This is the new world.

There's a link below to a long ass piece I wrote about Jesse Malin inspired by a truly moving live performance, a Madison Square Garden calibre show in a dink ass Lawrence club, to about forty people (maybe). Rock 'n' roll, one sexy ass proposition. And I mean that in the snarkiest and most sincere way possible.

Peace.

http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2007/06/an-essay-the-ch.html

Laura Marling - Once I was an Eagle (Ribbon Music), courtesy of blurtonline.com (Blurt)

Hey. Reverberations Readers ... 

As you know, I write for other periodicals. Yup. Blurt is one such outlet. They just posted my review of the new release from Laura Marling, a supremely talented young artist. Her new album is called Once I was an Eagle. It's quite, quite good. And the review? Pretty good, too. Thanks for visiting Reverberations ... the link allows you to visit Blurt's site and see the review.

http://blurtonline.com/review/laura-marling-once-i-was-an-eagle/














Oh, and why not enjoy a nice video from Eagle?

Iggy and the Stooges - Ready to Die (Fat Possum), courtesy Paraphilia Magazine

It's nice to find a home for one's wayward pieces, writing that defies easy categorization, work that asks the reader for more than the allotted two minutes. Díre McCain and Paraphilia Magazine have afforded me such a sanctuary. I am grateful.

So, a memoir, a reverie, a record ... Iggy and the Stooges - Ready to Die...

The link below sends you to my review at Paraphilia:

http://www.paraphiliamagazine.com/periodical/iggy-and-the-stooges-ready-to-die/

Broncho - Can't Get Past The Lips (Fairfax). Visit blurtonline.com for the review.

Blurt has posted my review of Broncho's Can't Get Past the Lips. 

 
It's a terrific listen. The review is pretty good, too. 


 
 
http://blurtonline.com/review/broncho-cant-get-past-the-lips/

Kurt Vile - Wakin On A Pretty Daze (Matador). Visit blurtonline.com for the review.

 The good folks at Blurt have just posted my review of the new Kurt Vile album, "Wakin On A Pretty Daze."

http://blurtonline.com/review/kurt-vile-wakin-on-a-pretty-daze/






Your time and attention is appreciated!

Black Angels - Indigo Meadow (Blue Horizon). Visit blurtonline.com for the review.

The good folks at Blurt have just posted my review of the new Black Angels album, "Indigo Meadow."

This link transports you there ... http://blurtonline.com/review/black-angels-indigo-meadow/

The Bang Girl Group Revue, as featured in Paraphilia Magazine. Review of "Soul Shangri-La."

I am most fortunate to have crossed paths with Dire McCain and the pioneering crew at Paraphilia magazine. 

Two of my reviews are included in the launch of their new format, which begins with this new issue of Paraphilia. This is the start of what I think should be a long, fruitful association. 

This link delivers you to my just posted review of The Bang Girl Group Revue and their album Soul Shangri-La.



http://www.paraphiliamagazine.com/periodical/the-bang-girl-group-revue-soul-shangri-la/

Big Dipper, as featured in Paraphilia Magazine. Review of "Crashes on the Platinum Planet."

I am most fortunate to have crossed paths with Dire McCain and the pioneering crew at Paraphilia magazine. Two of my reviews are included in the launch of their new format, which begins with this new issue of Paraphilia. This is the start of what I think should be a long, fruitful association.

The link here is to my review of the new release by Big Dipper, Crashes on the Platinum Planet.

http://www.paraphiliamagazine.com/periodical/big-dipper-crashes-on-the-platinum-planet/

Coming soon... Big Dipper review (Crashes on the Platinum Planet) for Paraphilia magazine.

My review of  Big Dipper's rather wonderful reunion record Crashes on the Platinum Planet will appear in the upcoming edition of Paraphila magazine (http://www.paraphiliamagazine.com/).

In the meantime, check out the video for their homage to their friend (he 'did' Crashes' album art) Robert Pollard.

Enjoy!

Beth Orton - Sugaring Season (Anti-Epitaph)

 

 

I have yet to write a review of Sugaring Season by Beth Orton, but as a music fan and writer I would be doing it and you a disservice not to give it Reverberations highest recommendation.

It has grown on me with every listen. While always a fan of Orton's I've never been struck as true or deep as by this record.

I could draw parallels to the work of Van Morrison, Sandy Denny and Nick Drake without being unfair or inaccurate, but like all great records Sugaring Season has a passion and identity that is singular. Like Astral Weeks or Five Leaves Left, for instance, what makes Sugaring Season so powerful is the the total impression its collection of fine songs makes. Good albums have good songs. Great albums have good songs that complement one another, sequenced in such a way as to make the listener feel that the flow of the record was ordained, inevitable.

If you haven't listened to this record, please do yourself a favor.

 

Enjoy this song from Sugaring Season: