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Sinéad O'Connor: I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss
Whenever anyone thinks of — or mentions — Sinéad O\’Connor, chances are pretty good that her music isn\’t, necessarily, the first thing that comes to mind. But O\’Connor has never cared very much what people think of her and, now that she\’s in her late 40s, she seems to care even less. Pretty much since she…
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Paloma Faith: A Perfect Contradiction
Infused with a sophistication that is not often found in the pop genre, Paloma Faith\’s A Perfect Contradiction isthe thinking woman\’s dance music. It all comes together in a wonderful synthesis of utterly danceable grooves, potently soulful vocals, intriguingly varied production, and not completely banal lyrics. Songs like “Mouth to Mouth” and “Take Me” come…
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The Eyes Have It: An Interview with LP
In the business that is show, there are various archetypes. Songwriters toil away in anonymity, pairing catchy melodies with heartfelt lyrics in hopes of having a hit. Singers train their focus on their voice as their instrument, putting perfect performances above all else. Artists take a 360-degree approach, combining a skill for writing with a…
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Tearing It Down and Breaking Free: Ruby Rose & Butterfly Boucher
Two weeks ago, Australian performance artist Ruby Rose released a short film titled Break Free. The piece, set to a song (“It Pulls Me Under”) performed by Butterfly Boucher, depicts Rose\’s transition from an ultra-feminine identity into a hyper-masculine one. The response has been loud, though not always proud. Some of the viewers want it…
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Louise Goffin: Songs from the Mine
It\’s hard to believe it\’s been 12 years since Louise Goffin issued Sometimes a Circle, her 2002 collection of infectious, inspired pop gems. But, here she is, with Songs from the Mine, her 2014 collection of compelling, contemplative pop gems. The mix of catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics is a Goffin trademark that she comes…
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Katie Herzig Shows Her True (School) Colors in "Drug"
Despite the fact that her music is filled with deeply contemplative themes, Katie Herzig has a sneakily humorous side, as well. One view of her “Hey Na Na” video proves that, flat out. But, if further evidence is needed, her latest video for “Drug” should dispel any remaining doubts. In it, Herzig shows those true…
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Five Questions: Bry Webb
After years of blasting it out as a member of the Constantines, singer/songwriter Bry Webb turned it all down a few notches for his new solo effort, Free Will. Written as a something of a meditation on his new role as a father to a son, the set is quieter, to be sure, but it\’s not without some edge.…
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Ray LaMontagne Delivers, Yet Doesn't at the Woods at Fontanel
Ray LaMontagne writes great songs and makes great records. And that\’s certainly no small feat. His live shows, though, while being technically and musically superlative, really don\’t leave the audience with a whole lot to hang on to other than the technique and the music. There\’s no personal engagement on LaMontagne\’s part. It\’s as if…
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Jonah Tolchin: Clover Lane
With the opening strains of “Mockingbird,” listeners know they are in for a ride worth taking all the way down Jonah Tolchin\’s Clover Lane. Recorded over the course of a mere four days in Nashville with producer Marvin Etzioni and some of the best players around, the set harkens back to a simpler time in…