"Together We're Heavy," The Polyphonic SpreeThe fully realized sophomore LP by The Polyphonic Spree hallmarks their lushly textured, orchestral, pastoral pop for the 60's sunshine love and peace set. A symphonic Spiritualized pet sound of Sgt. Pepper and Flaming Lips, complete with horns, a Theremin, …
6,000 Miles to Go• On the radio, a 14-year-old evangelist whips the congregation into a tearful whirlpool of repentance.
CelticFest - Sept. 10-12CelticFest Mississippi 2004, Celtic Heritage Society's 13th annual weekend of music, dance, and fun is almost here! CelticFest is a celebration of the Celtic nations including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany and will take place …
"50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong," The FallAt long last, a true retrospective of one of the most influential (and underrated) bands of the last 20-plus years is available. Although they released two excellent collections of singles in 1990, "458489 A-Sides" and "...B-sides," this two-disc 39-track volume …
Are Christian bands downplaying their faith?A Wiretap story by Nick Flanagan explores this provocative question about alt-Christian bands. He writes: "Christian bands became wiser to the forces of marketing and PR. Not content to stay within the Christian music market -- and wanting secular validation …
Paul Burch and the WPA Ballclub at Martin's 7/16Come out to Martin's, 214 South State St, 354-9712, for Paul Burch and the WPA Ballclub's alt-country show. Time Out, London's magazine-for-what's-happening, had this to say about Burch: "With a voice like crushed country velvet and a heart the size …
Malcolm Shepherd at Thalia Mara Hall 7/15Thalia Mara Hall "Paints the White House Black" with musical theater featuring the local R&B/gospel sensation from Dirty South, Malcolm Shepherd. Call 451-9098 for details. Buy tickets at Be-Bop or at the door.
Herman's Picks: July 8-14, 2004The Bold New City is undergoing its own sort of VH1 Classic Reunion this week. Nostalgia go boom, and get you ready for the new W.C. Don's. You can rotate from Soulshine to Hal & Mal's to Martin's; to the …
Love and LeftoversMy friends-the-caterers tell me that cooking for someone is the second most intimate human act. And, they tell me, you can tell a lot about someone by examining the contents of their refrigerator. If that's so, then I must be …
Franz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand's self-titled debut album combines 80's New Romanticism (Duran Duran, Simple Minds) with a Pixes indie-dance punk, and Interpol, in perfect proportions. This album is utterly addictive from start to finish. A top release of 2004, to be sure.
"Heroes to Zeroes," The Beta BandScotland's indie-space rock darlings have amassed a cult like following and, with this, it is apparent why. H2Z's finally lives up to the "Hi-Fidelity" soundtrack hype with their strongest LP to date. Combine organ drenched melodies, electronically processed drums, misty …
[Stiggers] Cussin'-N-Fussin-N-The HouseHey beautiful peoples! Bone Qweesha Jones, your on-the-scene reporter, here with the socio-political/celebrity scoop! And it's all 'bout music! Coming to you live, rough, rugged and raw! D.G.I. (Darned Good Intelligence) Entertainment presents the long-awaited CD titled "Cussin'-N-Fussin-N-The House," courtesy …
Summer of LoveA little African-American girl dances, does handstands, twirls around. A blonde hipster college student, wearing a University of Michigan sweatshirt, holds her hand; a Mexican union worker from California teaches her how to sit Indian style; and a redhead originally …
Noise and Pulse, by Scott Albert JohnsonEvery shaman knows that, at the very heart of the universe, there lies an inexorable, joyous pulse. As the late Nigerian percussionist and drumming scholar Babatunde Olatunji once put it: "We say that rhythm is the soul of life, because …