Bethany CosentinoNatural DisasterConcord Records [2023] After over a decade and 4 full-length studio albums with Best Coast, her band with multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno, Bethany Cosentino has stepped away to create her solo debut, Natural Disaster. Given her previous ventures in power pop/alt rock with excursions into surf rock and country, her solo work here, supported … Read more
Tears For FearsThe Tipping PointConcord Records [2022] For all the bright, dance floor potency of Tears for Fears’ 1985 smash hits “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and the Beatlesque pop psychedelia of their 1989 follow-up, The Seeds of Love, the British duo do tend to come from a pretty dour place. It … Read more
Elvis Costello Hey ClockfaceConcord Records [2020] By now, Elvis Costello’s fans have gotten used to his experimental collaborations and explorations of new musical territory. After all, he’s the same stripped-down punk rocker who gave us My Aim Is True in ’77, but by ’82 had delivered the lush, textured Imperial Bedroom. In 1986, he delivered … Read more
Matt Berninger—frontman of critically acclaimed group The National—is livestreaming now on YouTube in celebration of the premiere of the official Chris Sgroi-directed video for the single “One More Second,” off his highly anticipated debut solo record, Serpentine Prison, due October 16. Berninger is hosting a cocktail “hour”—dubbed Cocktail Seconds with Matt Berninger—along with special guests Chris Sgroi and Tom Berninger, discussing the making of the … Read more
Best CoastAlways TomorrowConcord Records [2020] I always like a comeback story and Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino has returned to music after a 5 year absence. She honestly stated that she almost walked away from recording completely but after some solid recovery and self-care the band’s fourth album, Always Tomorrow, represents a brighter outlook on life. … Read more
The New Pornographers In The Morse Code Of Brake Lights Concord Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Carl Newman led New Pornographers, take on the world grim reality with bright, bold and aggressive pop song energy that rocks, with strings. Album Review: It seems the unspoken rule of thumb for songs by The New Pornographers’ … Read more
The New Pornographers Whiteout Conditions Collected Works/Concord Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The New Pornographers are consistently great. Album Review: The New Pornographers have returned with a new album by the name of Whiteout Conditions. It is unique in that it is the first album that the band has released without the contributions of Dan … Read more