Instrumental music is not for everyone. Still, lots of creative people enjoy it when they seek a vibe but not a vocal that might distract from thought or focused actions–like writing music reviews. I’m writing this one while listening to guitar virtuoso John 5’s latest, Ghost, and while it’s not exactly haunting, it is a…
Australian singer/songwriter Nick Murphy will return early next year with his first album in nearly five years under his Chet Faker moniker. A Love for Strangers will arrive Feb. 13 from BMG and includes new single “This Time for Real,” a Josh Wehle-directed video for which is out now. Murphy’s last full-length at Chet Faker…
Between 1998 and 2012, Wilco and British troubadour Billy Bragg released three Mermaid Avenue albums inspired by a trunk of unpublished Woody Guthrie lyrics uncovered by his family. However, beyond a handful of brief shared appearances, the musicians never worked their way through those most of the songs in a live setting. That will change…
As expected following a series of recent surprise club shows that introduced new drummer Ilan Rubin, Foo Fighters will embark on a North American stadium tour next summer. The Dave Grohl-led group has also released its second fresh tune of the year, the ferocious “Asking for a Friend,” ahead of an anticipated new album at…
When Jens Lekman released “If You Ever Need A Stranger (To Sing at Your Wedding)” in 2004, it wasn’t meant to be a literal invitation. “Wedding singers are these seasoned, tough, hardworking, amazing musicians and singers who can perform for hours. They know every song in the world. I did that for a little while…
U2’s Bono and the Edge dipped into their back catalog during a six-song set last night (Oct. 21) as part of their Woody Guthrie Prize ceremony at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Ok., and even unveiled some lyrics for an in-progress song that may appear on their next album. The duo rattled off “Running To Stand…
Miley Cyrus has been tapped to record a new song, “Dream As One,” for the upcoming third installment in director/writer James Cameron’s Avatar series, Fire and Ash, which will arrive in theaters on Dec. 19. The track will be released Nov. 14 through Columbia/Sony. Cyrus contributed to the song’s music and lyrics in tandem with…
Early 2000s band Ima Robot has unearthed a lost album from that time period, Search and Destroy, which will finally see the light of day Nov. 14 through Community Music. The title track is out now and can be sampled below. Founded by future Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros frontman Alex Ebert in the…
As I greet Rob Thomas on our video call, he asks me if I’m getting any of “the weather” that they’re experiencing in the New York City area, where he lives. Unaware of the torrential storms that were, at the time of our call, getting ready to pound his region and leaving it in a…
Ian Astbury is a true believer. As the singer for the Cult, he’s been immersed in the ritual of rock ‘n roll, of sweeping riffs and full-throated vocals, for four decades. He’s been fueled by a lifetime of art and music, shamanic and indigenous influences, spirituality and mysticism—all of it in service of a night…
