Neko Case and her big voice fills the airy Wilbur Theatre quite easily while a stripped down Calexico breezes through their songs.
SURFER BLOOD, on the other hand, were a complete revelation.
And the coup de grace was BLACK FLAG’s “My War” with guest vocalist TIM SINGER! Wow!
Punk rock Chicago-style never disappoints. When the pioneers come to town, take heed and join in the mosh pit.
Ex-Stranglers lead singer/guitarist Hugh Cornwell put on one of the most spirited performances I’ve ever seen by him.
Songwriter Joe Pernice puts down the guitar and picks up a pen to write his first novel. And not surprisingly, a recording comes out of the effort too.
A Chameleon makes a surprise appearance in Boston and delivers an incredible night of passionate music.
Australian and Welsh guitar power collide and create energy.
Judas Priest takes a look back, fondly remembering British Steel.
The Church continue to excel at lush, gauzy, guitar-driven music.
During the encore, TV SMITH proceeded to come out with Jay and his band and they proceeded to play a mini-set of four ADVERTS songs,
Prog rock lives, with emphasis on the rock…no Roger Dean-inspired fantasies here.
Sir Richard Bishop plays with a full band for the first time since the end of Sun City Girls.
PJ Harvey can singe your soul with a beautiful voice.
Phish is safe at home in Phenway Park.
Surf’s up, Sufi’s up – join the ride and feel your third eyelid flicker and open.
33 years and counting, the Damned remain an unstoppable force.
It was oriented a bit more towards their punk-era material than towards their ’80s post-punk/goth incarnations since I love both of those periods.
The Damned were too smart and too talented to stay in the punk cul-de-sac, and successfully mixed both psychedelia and goth along with punk and garage with the main reason of success being that they could write and perform a song much better than the average safety-pin victim.
Equal parts brute force and delicate beauty, Mogwai bring a velvet cudgel to the side of your head. And it feels so good.
Even better were selections from 2002’s Blacklisted, her career zenith.
The show really gained strength, however, when he switched to his trusted electric guitar.
Even Morrissey is subject to the House of Rules.
We got “The Town Halo”, arguably the finest song in A.C. NEWMAN’s solo catalog, as the closer.
Everything suddenly fit a little louder, a little more energetic and we were along for the ride!
Kristin Hersh jumpstarts Throwing Muses back into brief existence for a triumphant hometown reunion.
The Rose City’s Biltzen Trapper show off the best from last year’s excellent record, Furr.
The Roots and Antibalas work with rather than against each other in Red Bull’s Sound Clash.
Long-time jazz great Bill Frisell shows that the music form doesn’t need horns or keyboards for definition.
Kung Fu Necktie has a cozy size, selection of great beer on tap, terrific sound and a cozy vibe. I could definitely get used to this place.
THE DICKIES take absolutely nothing seriously, but still leave you humming their songs with hooks that last for days on end.
I can’t think of a single song from The Age of Quarrel that they didn’t play.
They played a cover of the SPARKS classic “Angst In My Pants” as a tribute to RUSSELL MAEL, curator of that evening’s mix CD.
This post-Christmas fix of the New York Dolls live at The Fillmore might just be the best show I’ve seen them play since the 2004 reunion.
SPEEDO knocks back Corona after Corona and is extremely obnoxious towards the audience, but in a really funny way.
TED LEO pours his soul into everything he does and this fact cements the connection with his rabid fanbase.
BRIAN WILSON’s music positively beams with “Love and Mercy”, which is part of why his best work is timeless.
Robyn Hitchcock turns back the clock and sings about trams, alcoholic suicides, and dying leaves. It’s the feelgood record of the season.
Calexico finally rouse the restful
By the end of the night, I was covered in sweat. I felt as if I’d just finished watching a show at City Gardens back when I was a teenager.
Stereolab remains a solid, dependable friend. Don’t be a stranger.
Boston Spaceships achieve lift-off, heading straight for the Big Dipper.
My Bloody Valentine end sixteen years of American live performance silence via a deafening roar to close out the massively successful All Tomorrow’s Parties/New York festival.
Shellac put in the best gig of the day, on day 2 of ATP which was filled with great shows.
All Tomorrow’s Parties, the stamp of excellence. Day 1 looks at the “Don’t Look Back” section, with bands like Thurston Moore and Tortoise playing entire records from their discography.
My Morning Jacket brave the storm, bring the storm.
SONIC YOUTH were terrific despite playing virtually the same setlist as they played last month.
They played virtually all of 45s Singles and Under, so any casual fan would’ve been satisfied with the show.
Radiohead’s now king, but rather than press you against the wall they will lift you out of your seat.
