All Alone by the Microphone: Can One Man Make A Band?

The motivation & genius of musicians who take DIY to the extreme. Matthew Allen delves into one-man bands like Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz & Raphael Saadiq and their unified approach

The Big Picture

Movies expose audiences to unfamiliar musical genres, often with dramatic and lasting effect. A quick peek at how music and film have skewed our culture

Down But Never Out

Down But Never Out: Detroit's nonstop road trip runs into music, sports, autos and bumps, but never a dead end

Big Brother is Rocking You: Luther Dickinson and Don Everly

Sons of musicians make music with their kid brothers; Don Everly and Luther Dickinson draw on Dad’s influence and make it their own

NEW AT ELMORE

Dr. Dog Album Stream

Philadelphia-bred psychedelic rockers Dr. Dog are releasing their sixth studio album, Be the Void, next Tuesday (February 7) on Anti/Epitaph Records. Elmorista Melissa Caruso reviewed Be the Void, and says that though the band is “known for cheery pop arrangements and harmonies, Be The Void reveals a hungrier energy, biting hard with its poised unruliness and a simplicity of intention, resonating with memories of jam sessions in a frugal Philly rehearsal room.”

Stream the album in its entirety here, and look out for the March/April issue of Elmore for the full review!

UPCOMING SHOWS

2/03 – Thurston Moore at Maxwells, Hoboken, NJ

Sonic Youth enthusiasts disappointed in the band’s possible breakup would do well to make the trek out to Hoboken this weekend to catch Thurston Moore at Maxwell’s on Friday. Moore is touring behind his third solo effort, the fantastic Demolished Thoughts, and this round of solo shows marks the first New York area appearance by [...]

SHOW REVIEWS

Cheap Trick at the Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

Cheap Trick Greek Theatre (Los Angeles, CA) On a cool and comfortable night under the stars at this beautiful venue, Cheap Trick rocked their 1979 Dream Police album in its entirety in a two-hour-plus set that also included both the classics and deep gems from their 38-year career. Lead singer Robin Zander was in [...]

Bad Company – Live at Wembley

Bad CompanyLive at Wembley(Eagle Rock) I normally shy away from these reunion things, but I must admit wanting to see and hear what Rodgers, Ralphs, Kirke and company sounded like so many years after the Madison Square shows I rocked to back in ’75, ’77 and ’79. While Rodgers has lost some of his lower [...]

Mark Blake – Is This The Real Life?: The Untold Story of Queen

Mark BlakeIs This The Real Life?: The Untold Story of Queen(Da Capo) Twenty years after Freddie Mercury’s death, Queen still hold their roost in rock’s fabled hierarchy. As their 40th year rolls in, Is This The Real Life? serves as an informative (Blake chronicles the early years like no other before him), non-dirt-throwing narrative told [...]

ALBUM REVIEWS

Hotel Lights – Girl Graffiti

Hotel LightsGirl Graffiti(Bar/None) At first listen it’s tempting to classify Hotel Lights as background music, but even through the band’s fragile melodies and soft-spoken ways, something louder emerges on their latest effort. Girl Graffiti is a confident mix of youthful homage and adult satisfaction. While frontman Darren Jessee is still tight in his romantic niche, [...]

Gerald Clayton – Bond: The Paris Sessions

Gerald Clayton Bond: The Paris Sessions (Decca/Emarcy) Innovators like Jason Moran, Robert Glasper and Alfredo Rodriguez are changing the way people think about jazz. Gerald Clayton took his place among them with his supple and fearless playing on his bandleader debut, Two-Shade. His sophomore album, Bond: The Paris Sessions, is 16 tracks of sleekness. While [...]

Foster and Lloyd – It’s Already Tomorrow

Foster and Lloyd It’s Already Tomorrow (’Effin ’Ell) If there was any justice in Nashville, Foster and Lloyd would’ve been Brooks & Dunn. Incredibly influential in the ’80s, the duo unknowingly pioneered the Americana genre with their country harmony, jangly rock ‘n’ roll guitars and quirky compositions. After three must-have albums, they split up in [...]