Music reviews
Star child
The enigmatic Justin Roelofs and his first solo show in Lawrence
Monday, May 5, 2008
In three years, Justin Roelofs has recorded two albums and set foot on stage exactly once, guesting with Ratatat in San Francisco. So, for fans of his music, his show this week in Lawrence is not to be missed.
As Americana As Apple Pie
Drakkar Sauna serves up a slab of homage with new album, “Wars and Tornadoes”
Monday, April 21, 2008
The music of Drakkar Sauna is just as heartbreakingly pretty as their hard-living, country-roots forebears—although the Lawrence duo is far more stable and far less dead than some of their musical heroes. It’s in tribute to one of these troubled influences, The Louvin Brothers, that Drakkar Sauna has recorded its new album, “Wars & Tornadoes.”
Lust for Power
The Roseline ready themselves for the Big Time, Lamborghinis
Monday, April 21, 2008
After a decade in Lawrence, The Roseline have found a way to take the change inherent in a revolving-door college town and make it work to their advantage. Lineup changes, marriages, financial stress, and a little bit of old-fashioned libido might sound like ingredients for some pretty angsty listening, but instead the Lawrence band washes it all down with a sweet slide guitar and a hook—no screams here.
Coat or Die!
Coat Party is going to burn your f*cking house down
Monday, April 7, 2008
Coat Party exudes enough vim and vigor to melt the eyes out of your sockets. This Lawrence dance-rock foursome—especially when performing live—will mash punked-up Gang of Four style rhythm, Gameboy soundtrack atmospherics and dual shout along vocals all over your face!
Bigger “Stages”
Vedera preps major-label debut and tours with Eisley
Monday, March 31, 2008
If marriage is a covenant to stick it out for better and worse, then Kristen May and Brian Little are in it for the long haul. As half of the Kansas City band Vedera, the couple has already endured trials like losing all their gear on the road and fighting a legal battle to keep their old band name (Veda).
Court of Appeals
Kansas City record label curbs its name but not its enthusiasm
Monday, March 24, 2008
“Maybe we should just sleep on it,” Tim McGraw once sang. Unfortunately for Curb Appeal Records, McGraw’s record label (Curb) didn’t take his advice to heart. One cease-and-desist letter later, the Kansas City-based label is changing its name to Appeal Records.
Singer, Interrupted
Doby Watson plays hushed songs for attentive ears
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Remember six-inch voices? Those would be about four inches too long for a Doby Watson concert. The 21-year-old songwriter pens tranquil numbers that emphasize sparse arrangements for acoustic guitar and voice: the only two instruments he typically carries with him on his frequent tours of D.I.Y. folk venues.
Crew Cuts
INnatesounds hip-hop crew unveils its debut compilation
Monday, March 10, 2008
Oftentimes, the prevailing logic regarding the Kansas City and Lawrence hip-hop scenes is that our homeboys could be worldwide if they just got organized. Enter INnatesounds. The brainchild of producer Miles Bonny, INnatesounds began to take shape when Bonny’s former SoundsGood collaborator Joe Good “retired” from the game (time will tell if Joe-Z gets back in the ring).
A Slit in Time
Ari and punk legends The Slits roll into Lawrence
Monday, March 10, 2008
Punk pedigrees don't come any more bona fide than that of Ari Up. Lead singer of the Slits—the seminal all-girl British ’70s punk band that toured with the Clash and the Buzzcocks. If starting your own band at 14 years of age isn't punk enough, how about adding "step daughter to John Lydon of the Sex Pistols" to your resume and suddenly we have one punk as fuck Brit.
Musician returns home, brings ensemble
Sunday, March 9, 2008
In some ways, the Aspen Ensemble is a mix-and-match musical montage. There are five members in the group — a violinist, a violist, a cellist, a flutist and a pianist — but the members never are all on stage at the same time.
Bleed American
American Catastrophe’s “Broken Bone Choir” hits the road
Monday, Feb. 25, 2008
You have to break a red wax seal to get your grubby little paws on American Catastrophe’s “Excerpts from the Broken Bone Choir.” The album’s handmade packaging connotes a contract between the band and the listener: break the seal, and there’s no going back. Imagine a motel lounge in a David Lynch movie where something bad is about to happen: woozy guitars pick out minor chords, cymbals crash and a commanding baritone chants “hang ’em high.”
All That Jizz
Ssion release spunky new pop album, “Fool’s Gold”
Monday, Feb. 11, 2008
Toss pop, punk, disco and a whole lot of Astroglide into a Cuisinart, repeatedly press “Pulse,” then dump on top of a mustache orgy—now you’ve got the recipe for Ssion’s “Fool’s Gold.” Finally available in wide release through Sleazetone Records, “Fool’s Gold” is the infectious new album from Kansas City art-noise collective, Ssion (pronounced “shun”).
Far from Over
KC favorites It’s Over! bring the energy west
Monday, Feb. 4, 2008
After years of being one of the most fun, party-rockin’ bands in the area, It’s Over is finally putting out an album. “That Girl” captures the KC foursome’s country-laced ’50s rock and even some of that bombast from in its live performances.
Wiener Take All
New Franklin Panthers declare “Hot Dogs Are Cool”
Monday, Jan. 28, 2008
Other than 18 years and hundreds of Paw shows, there ain’t a whole lot separating the musical persuasions of Grant Fitch and Jason Jones. The duo that now composes Lawrence’s New Franklin Panthers met while working at Mass. Street Music and quickly hammered out a malleable setlist of instrumental power-rock
Ghosty’s Got the ‘Answers’
Longtime Lawrence musicians find everything they need is here
Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008
It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since the members of Ghosty—one of Lawrence’s most beloved homegrown bands—packed up, going to Kansas City. This fivesome is still deeply connected to Lawrence, however, and for the release of their new album we will be treated to two shows in a week—and this from a band that spreads out appearance judiciously.
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The Dactyls :: After three years of lineup changes and hiatuses, this Lawrence fave celebrates the release of their debut with a free show and a free tasting of Juice Stop's new Local Band Smoothies ... More info
