FIELD MUSIC sounded great, especially considering that they were playing with THE DIGGS’ equipment; apparently they had to lie to customs officials about their reasons for visiting our country.

The aptly named STARS were treated like stars when they took the stage at this sold-out show. And well they should be.

Despite the fact that the set consisted of so much new material, KAREN O had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand…

Wherever there’s any dark band reunion that older folks may dismiss as a money-making scheme, you’ll find me.

They also came out with a guitarist, bass player, and a live drummer as well.

The piece built throughout the course of each of its four movements, pulling the listeners into a hypnotic trance of brutal, repetitive rhythms.

The band’s mix of humor and razor wit with the dirtiest disco, funk, and soul is backed up by tight chops and a winning, completely unpretentious stage presence.

MISSION OF BURMA took the stage and proceeded to play what was by far the best show of the three times that I’ve seen them.

From the first moment she opened her mouth to sing, over the strains of “Run Devil Run,” we knew we were in for something very special.

Opening with a song from his old band TARKIO, COLIN MELOY played a combination of songs from THE DECEMBERISTS catalog, covers, and new songs.

Is the leap in venue size from the 200-capacity Mercury Lounge to the 500-capacity Bowery Ballroom in just two months time a sign of their growing popularity or mere hype?

An Eitzel solo performance is most compelling because of the many excellent songs he’s written over the years.

If you pay to go see a performance, what’s the point of talking all the way through it?

On this quiet, rainy Tuesday night, the odd yet still laidback mood of the place ended up seeming just right, particularly given the gentle (and odd) nature of the music.

In Greenpoint, at the Kingsland Tavern, a multi-genre bill of avant-garde jazz, American Primitive acoustic guitar, and freak-folk blew minds.

This show was a rare opportunity to see BEN GIBBARD of DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE play solo in an intimate venue, much smaller than the larger halls and theaters his band normally plays.

Right after midnight (and a complimentary champagne toast), YO LA TENGO took the stage to ring in the new year in true party fashion.

Having seen them twice before, I knew to expect a full-scale girl-led power-trio with a no-wave influenced assault.

YO LA TENGO’s annual Eight Nights of Hanukkah, during which they play a show on each night of Hanukkah at Maxwell’s, is a must-see.

If you have a chance to see VOXTROT play, I highly recommend it. With good looks to match their terrific playing and memorable songs, I predict big things for them and hope that they come back soon.

One wouldn’t usually associate Christmas with JOHN WATERS, the reigning king of filthy films.

Headliners X came on and just dominated. I’d never seen them with the original lineup before, so this was a real treat for me.

Playing all of her legendary first album Horses to celebrate its 30th anniversary and recent reissue as a double CD set.

Oh. My. God. I have seen the future of electro and it looks good.

ROGUE WAVE’s Descended Like Vultures is currently one of my favorite albums and one of 2005’s finest offerings.

The venue was dark upon arrival, and a subdued cello-driven piece played softly in the background. Concertgoers were hushed, some sitting – the whole scene giving the impression of an aged vampire’s study.

I’d never seen The Clientele before, but I’d heard that they were similar live to what their records sound like. It turns out that…

The second and final part of my Halloweekend was quite different from Mofo. While Mofo satisfied my glam rock side, the Drop Dead Festival appeased my deathrock side.

I went to go see a triple bill of Daptone Records artists at Southpaw this past Saturday night. I missed the 1st band, but managed to catch

Eight years ago, CATHERINE WHEEL released Adam and Eve (Mercury), one of the decade’s finest albums. This fall, the group’s former frontman – ROB DICKINSON – proved he is still a hot commodity…