Something happened in the ’90s. I guess as a reaction to grunge, slacker-rock bands like the Refreshments made bank. The songs should have been sad — they were about alcoholism, service economy-induced unemployment, and dysfunctional relationships. But things were going…
I know it’s hard sometimes, but remember how pop music is supposed to be good? Like, the whole point is that it’s inoffensive and catchy. These days, the lyrical vapidity is what offends me most about pop music. (Though I…
As I wrote back in February, this is a serious Southern rock album. I believe the words were “blistering declaration of intent.” I’m going to go as far as calling it a Southern rock manifesto. I will go even further…
Perhaps the comparison is really not particularly apt, but there’s something about Scott Alan Simmons that reminds me of Warren Zevon — without the dark sense of humor, or the raspiness (so, really, not at all.) But there’s something about…
As some of you know, I’m currently student teaching in an eighth grade social studies classroom. One of my kids is, like, really obsessed with the Beatles. She will only read books about the Beatles. Her English Lit teacher suggested…
With little fanfare, Cowboy Mouth released its eleventh studio album on Friday. I have to admit, I was a little nervous — I wasn’t all that into their most recent release, Fearless. As I mentioned earlier, the band’s sound has…
Sorry for the absence of updates, folks. I’ve had a real shit storm of a week. Good thing I’ve had some angsty white dude music to feed my fury and general resentment against The Man. Hold on a sec —…
I’m almost tempted to cheat and say that this is the best album of 2012, even though it was released back in November. It’s because I didn’t even know it existed until this week — a criminal oversight, I know.…