Author Archive
We Saw It: Dawes at the Capitol Theatre 7/24/13

We Saw It: Dawes at the Capitol Theatre 7/24/13

“They don’t know even know what it means to be a fan … to truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it hurts” – Fairuza Balk as Sapphire in Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous I’ll bet that if you’re reading this piece or are a regular reader of this site, you can relate that quote, or, most likely, live it every day. In the scene, Balk’s character, one of the infamous Band Aids, laments […]

We Saw It! Paul McCartney at Fenway Park, July 2013

We Saw It! Paul McCartney at Fenway Park, July 2013

Paul McCartney arrives in Fenway Park and doesn’t need a bat and a ball to energize the crowd!

Jason Isbell, Southeastern: Album Review/Irish Java 2013 Halftime Report

Jason Isbell, Southeastern: Album Review/Irish Java 2013 Halftime Report

I put off writing up a 2013 Best of so far list until I got a chance to listen to Jason Isbell’s latest, Southeastern, that was released recently. I’d heard enough of it to know I’d like it, but now that I’ve had time to soak with it, I’d say it’s easily the best album I’ve heard this year. The record was getting a lot of press in places you’d not expect to see ( feature story in the Sunday New York Times magazine , Wall Street Journal) and […]

Dawes, Stories Don't End: Spin Cycle

Dawes, Stories Don’t End: Spin Cycle

It’s Round 3 for Dawes. Find out why “Stories Don’t End” is one of the best albums of 2013.

We Saw It! Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell with Richard Thompson - The Beacon Theater, New York, March 27

We Saw It! Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell with Richard Thompson – The Beacon Theater, New York, March 27

Three of the greatest singer/songwriters in history joined forces for an amazing show. Here’s our review.

Dawes Returns With "From A Window Seat"

Dawes Returns With “From A Window Seat”

Folk-rock up and comers Dawes preview the release of their third album with “From a Window Seat.”

Fleetwood Mac's  Rumours: Expanded Deluxe Edition: Spin Cycle

Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours: Expanded Deluxe Edition: Spin Cycle

One of the best selling albums of all time gets remastered, repackaged and re-released. Is the new version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” worth your money?

Yo La Tengo Fade: Album Review

Yo La Tengo Fade: Album Review

Indie rock legends Yo La Tengo are back with a new album, “Fade.” Dennis takes a listen-should you?

Best Albums of 2012: The IrishJava Fave 12

Best Albums of 2012: The IrishJava Fave 12

Let the year-end lists begin! Mega-Springsteen fan Dennis lists his best Bruce-related and non Bruce-related moments of 2012.

Looking for America: The Best Recent Americana Releases

Looking for America: The Best Recent Americana Releases

“Americana” is all the rage right now, and Dennis takes a look at a few of the best releases (including the latest album from Drive By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood) to come from the genre these last few months.

Singles Bar: Bruno Mars, "Locked Out of Heaven"

Singles Bar: Bruno Mars, “Locked Out of Heaven”

I’m a big fan for classic soul and R&B, especially the Stax and Muscle Shoals sound. I’ve also become a fan of the neo-soul sounds of artists like Ryan Shaw and Raphael Saadiq. Until earlier this year, though, I’d basically ignored Bruno Mars, dismissing him as just another disposable pop guy. That changed after I saw his James Brown inspired performance of “Runaway Baby” at this year’s Grammy Awards. I thought it was the most entertaining thing I saw all […]

Spin Cycle: Kiss, Destroyer [Resurrected]

Spin Cycle: Kiss, Destroyer [Resurrected]

Do you remember the first full-length LP you ever bought? Mine was Kiss’ Destroyer, which I purchased in 1976 at the ripe old age of 10. I got it at the Post Exchange and then waited for my dad to come home from work so that I could listen to it on his 4 channel system rather than the portable turntable my sister and I normally used (and by portable, I mean it folded up into the size of a […]