Sole is Back, and He’s Not Alone

SoleAfter two tours and an instrumental album under the name mansbestfriend, Tim Holland is ready again to reprise the role of Sole, ranting, rambling rapper extraordinaire. Ever the picture of unorthodoxy, Sole reappears this time accompanied by Orlando three-piece Skyrider and a record he calls his “comeback.”

Weekly Burlesque: Paste Won’t Keep Your Pasties On

Jo WeldonPeople always ask questions about pasties. They are, after all, pretty peculiar articles of clothing in spite of being some of the most traditional items in most neo-burlesquers’ wardrobes. As far as I know, they are unique to burlesque — at least in terms of dance costuming.

We Are Standard: 3.000V-40.000W

We Are StandardOn We Are Standard‘s debut album, 3.000V-40.000W, the chorus to “The Pill Song (Wowee)” reads like an abridged mission statement: “We play it loud so you can feel us / To turn you on and turn you loose / We all got those ups and downs / But we’re here so feel the groove / We don’t want to take you down / We want you to dance around.”

Commentaries on the Golden Path: The Golden Condor

Commentaries on the Golden PathSome of my finest childhood memories are from the days I would opt out of school. I would either be sick or exaggerate the mild discomfort I felt, con(vinc)ing my mind and my parents that I was really ill.

Mancino: Manners Matter

MancinoLike a gooey plate of macaroni and cheese or re-runs of “The Simpsons,” there’s something comforting about a bright and bouncy pop record. Manners Matter, the debut full-length album from Brooklyn trio Mancino, is a prime example of this with all its jangling guitars, playful rhythms, two-part harmonies, and familiar yet vibrant joys.

DeVotchKa Update: Album in Early ’08

DeVotchKaWhen we told you last week of the news concerning Southwestern indie heroes DeVotchKa — the release of How It Ends in Europe and tour dates both in the U.S. and abroad — there was not yet word of work on a forthcoming full-length album. But as you can tell from this here update, that’s no longer the case!

Young Marble Giants: Colossal Youth

Young Marble GiantsColossal Youth has cast a long shadow. Kurt Cobain was one of Young Marble Giants‘ more public fans, but their influence travels from their seminal — and sole — full-length album through such descendents as R.E.M., Yo La Tengo, and Belle & Sebastian to cause a shudder traveling up the post-punk spine.

Making Life Choices in the Music Business

Moses Avalon imageOkay, show of hands: who in the past year or so has had a friend or relative come to them with an article proclaiming the death of the music business? It’s usually followed by comments like, “I think you should really reconsider this music thing. Take that job with my uncle doing carpet installations. People always need carpet.”