Kristi Kates | Author
Catching Up with Josh Groban
June 1, 2019
Has it really been eight months since Josh Groban’s latest album,Bridges,hit outlets? That time’s flown by even for Groban himself, although, for fans, it was a long wait for those new tunes.
“I did have the Broa…
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The Hot Sardines – Welcome Home, Bon Voyage – Eleven Records
June 1, 2019
Playing a hot mix of traditional jazz, showy swing, and a hint of pop, The Hot Sardines recorded this impressive live collection of tracks in two sessions, one at Joe’s Pub in New York City, and the other at Koerner Hall in Toronto, Canada. But these aren’t laid-back lounge-y pe…
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Craig Finn Needs a New War
May 25, 2019
Singer-songwriter (and The Hold Steady frontman) Craig Finn, fresh from an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers and an interview on CBS This Morning, has a new solo album out. The new set, I Need a New War, is a follow-u…
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Emma Bunton – My Happy Place – BMG
May 25, 2019
Thought of as the “cheerful one” (aka Baby Spice) of ’90s girl group The Spice Girls, Bunton was the first to break out of the band, so to speak, with three well-reviewed solo albums of neo-soul tracks. Now, 13 years after her last effort, she returns with this set, eight …
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Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride – Columbia
May 18, 2019
The follow up to the Weekend’s 2013 set, Modern Vampires of the City, is produced by band founder Ezra Koenig and wraps 18 tracks into an album that shifts the band into a new age (not the music style, thankfully). Now minus member Rostam Batmanglii (who left for other intere…
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Bring On the Buttermilk
May 18, 2019
More acts have been added to the lineup for the Buttermilk Jamboree 2019, happening June 14–16 at the Circle Pine Center in Delton, Michigan. In addition to previously announced Michigan singer-songwriter May Erlewine and East L.A. band Las Ca…
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May 11, 2019 Recorded entirely on a 16-track analog recorder, Norgren, who brought in some pals to fill in on bass (Anders Grahn), guitar/banjo (Andreas Filipsson), and drums (Erik Berntsson), presents a warm, recognizable sound while still keeping the tunes fresh and intriguing. Mixing his singer-songw…
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May 4, 2019 More Michigan music festival news keeps rolling in, with the latest lineup announcements coming from the 2019 Hoxeyville Festival (Aug.16–18 in Wellston Woods, just west of Cadillac). Headlining the event: Chris Robinson (The Black CrowesRead More >>
May 4, 2019 Seventeen tracks in all make up Khalid’s latest, a set that expands upon his ’80s-influenced 2017 debut album, which established him as a chart-friendly R&B-pop singer who can veer easily into other genres. Sometimes, though, it seems like it would be better if he took a lit…
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April 27, 2019 The lead single from the upcoming album of Seattle band The Head and the Heart, “Missed Connection,” is out this week. The album, Living Mirage, hits outlets May 17, and the band is set to bring its latest in indie-folk rock to over three dozen cities o…
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April 27, 2019 While much of Tuttle’s work to date has focused on her guitar skills and bluegrass sensibilities, this album leans more toward her songwriting and alto vocals, both enhanced by the production work of Lumineers/Avett Brothers cohort Ryan Hewitt. This isn’t old-school Nashville bu…
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April 20, 2019 Childish Gambino and Twenty One Pilots will headline the 2019 Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco (taking place in the city’s Golden Gate Park Aug. 9–11.) But it’s a three-day fest, so who’s the third featured performer? None oth…
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April 20, 2019 A bubbly, bouncy stir-up of a set, this collection from The Strumbrellas also proves to be a little illusory; behind those zippy tunes are lyrics that are often far less than happy. It’s interesting seeing how the band balances those two components on tracks like “The Party,&rdq…
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April 13, 2019 AF’s third album is the latest happening in a long list of ups and downs for the band, from a critically acclaimed debut to a band breakup, to a reformation, and the subsequent loss of the band’s house in a resale. Still soldiering on, AF released first single “Silhouettes…
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April 6, 2019 Blake’s been zipping around on a pile of side projects over the past few years, including collaborations with Kendrick Lamar and Future (on the Black Panther soundtrack), Chance the Rapper, and Bon Iver. But now he returns with his third album, which both continues his long l…
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March 30, 2019 The Chainsmokers has a brand new song that pays homage (well, kind of) to one of its fellow indie bands, dream-popsters Beach House. The Chainsmokers’ new single, “Beach House,” sings about the protagonist waking up while listening to &mda…
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March 30, 2019 From Norway hails the avant-garde indie-experimentation outfit Pom Poko, which snagged its name from a popular Japanese anime. Expect influences galore in Pom Poko’s music; the band includes everything from math-rock and West African beats to punk and groovy funk. Opener “Theme1…
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March 23, 2019 Having inspired everyone from Paul Weller (The Jam) to the cast of Glee, the legendary British classic-rock band finally brings together its most essential tracks (from two original U.S. albums, U.K. releases, and a rare single) to create this 61-track collection. And it’s qu…
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March 23, 2019 Belinda Carlisle and her The Go-Go’s bandmates will be featured in a full-length music rockumentary about the band (titled simply, The Go-Gos) that will premiere on Showtime later this year. Directed by Alison Ellwood,the movie features full …
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March 16, 2019 Singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis is about to have a busy spring, starting with the arrival/release of her fourth full-length solo album, On the Line, which hits outlets March 22 on Warner Bros. Records, complete with lead single “Red Bull and Hennessy.” Th…
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Daniel Norgren – Wooh Dang – Superpuma
Chris Robinson May Erlewine Set for Hoxeyville
Khalid – Free Spirit – RCA
The Head and the Heart and a Living Mirage
Molly Tuttle – When You’re Ready – Compass
Gambino, Pilots, Simon Lead Outside Lands
The Strumbrellas – Rattlesnake – Glassnote
American Football – American Football – Polyvinyl
James Blake – Assume Form – Republic
The Chainsmokers Get Their Own Beach House
Pom Poko – Birthday – Bella Union
The Zombies – Complete Studio Recordings – Varese Sarabande
The Go-Go’s Hit Showtime
Jenny Lewis’ Album is On the Line