A forest of lexis, deep but monochromatic in its delivery, The Courage of Others from Texans Midlake might be faithful to its album title. (more…)

“We can’t see the start, We can’t hide the end.” The Album Leaf’s follow-up to 2006, the Sub Pop studio album A Chorus of Storytellers, is an unremitting piece of eleven tracks which goes beyond the stills of life, landscapes, and any mediocre attempt to justify an existence by provoking emotion-filled retorts. (more…)

The Magnetic Fields electrified a cozy Théâtre Corona, as the night felt energy coursing through it’s veins… Photos & words on the hop.

A dazzling light show, a flawless Time solo, and the overwhelming smell of freshly smoked pharmaceuticals. Yes, we were at Metropolis for Eclipse: The Pink Floyd Story (insert Wish You Were Here pun here.) Pictures and a review are coming soon.

Nneka’s American debut album Concrete Jungle comprises many tracks, relatively unknown until now, from her impressive repertoire of deeply soulful tracks brandishing powerful words and raspy, charged vocals. (more…)

29 years later, Mötley Crüe still know how to keep the crowd begging for more in a we-still-like-hair-metal kinda way. The Crüe dish out an explosive show and I bet you wanna see some pictures and maybe even read all about it. Well guess whats coming soon. That’s right, pictures and a review!

If you thought style and flair is floundering you should have joined the Brit duo La Roux as they tactfully rocked Metropolis last night… close ups and words on their way.

A petite figure with a big voice, Coeur De Pirate charmed a crowd with her style, smile and songs both new and old. Les photos et les mots viendront bientôt.

“Plain Jane! Jet Plane!” the attentive fans at L’Olympia shouted as they lept to their feet, collared shirts rumpling and mascara running. Down-to-earth diva Chantal Kreviazuk brought it home last night with some serious skills. Details to follow.

It’s time for a healthy dose of Realism with The Magnetic Fields tonight at Théâtre Corona.

With special guest: Laura Barrett

Tonight at Metropolis, Eclipse: The Pink Floyd Story promises to be so authentic that the bassist fires the piano player halfway through Another Brick In The Wall. Don’t miss the starting gun.

We reported back in December on the passing of singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt who died in his native Athens, Georgia after an overdose of muscle relaxants. Now, his friends and former collaborators are getting together over two nights to pay tribute to the man they knew and admired. The events, entitled “A Celebration of Vic Chesnutt’s Life and Music”,

 are scheduled to happen at Athens’ 40 Watt Club on the 19-20 of this month, with those appearing on the first night to include Kelly Hogan, Widespread Panic’s Todd Nance, Drive-By Truckers producer Dave Barbe, with the second night featuring performances from Lambchop, Elf Power, Giant Sand’s Howe Gelb, Centro-matic’s Will Johnson, Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous, and Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto with Mt. Zion.

It would appear that producers of American Idol may have found the replacement for British judge Simon Cowell, who announced last month that the end of the current season would mark his departure from the musical reality show. So, who is to be? Well, apparently – after initial rumors tipped Ryan Seacrest to double up his role as host and judge – producers are set to turn to controversial radio DJ Howard Stern, or so reports today’s New York Post. According to the Post, Stern whose contract with Sirius Radio ends in January 2011, has been waxing lyrical about the possible move over the airwaves, stating “I was approached by a major TV network to take over a TV show and leave here and do that next year — and I did turn it down… I’m not even sure if I want to be working. I’m waiting to see what happens”. It would appear that the main stumbling block to the move is Stern’s reported reluctance to uproot his life to Los Angeles from New York. Watch this space.

Filmmakers Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara have spent ten years trailing Stephin Merritt, principle songwriter of New York bleeding hearts The Magnetic Fields. The result is their documentary, Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, which hopes to give fans an insight into the life of the band, and the eminently quotable and acerbic wit of its leader. Lucky fans will get to see a preview of the film on February 28th at the Mezzanine in San Francisco, with the official world premiere happening at this year’s SXSW. By the looks of the trailer (which you can check out here), the pair have assembled an impressive list of musicians and admirers to gush about Merritt’s impressive talents as a songwriter, and to no doubt also cast a speculative eye over the famously shy singer’s sometimes fractious relationship with the world at large.

Johnny Depp is set to direct a documentary about Rolling Stones’ guitarist Keith Richards. The two have collaborated before, with Richards appearing as father to Depp’s Capt. Jack Sparrow – a character he has often said he based on the veteran rocker – in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. According to a representative for Depp, the actor’s editors are going through the reams of archive footage, with Richards also agreeing to appear in front of the cameras too. The result of the collaboration should certainly be interesting, especially given Depp’s previous experience at kicking it with bad asses – he spent time living legendary outlaw journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s ranch in preparation for his role in Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas adaptation.

February 26th would have seen Johnny Cash, the legendary man in black, turn 78. As we previously reported, this date will also mark the release date of the final installment in the American Recordings series, American VI: Ain’t No Grave. To mark the occasion, Cash’s fans are being encouraged to wear black and post photos of themselves doing so on a special Facebook group to win a copy of the Unearthed boxset.

Mariah Carey may have been fashionably late to her own show, asked for make up touch ups while on stage and delighted in a glass or two of bubbly while performing, but her sincere apologies and indisputable vocal abilities excused any diva-like behaviour last night. Glittery words & glossys are on the way.

Mötley Crüe is in town at the Centre Bell tonight for one reason and one reason only… To kick your ass and rock out old-school style! (I think that was two reasons but who cares? It’s Mötley Crüe!).

With special guests: Joe Perry Project + Airbourne