September 3, 2015

Contributor Limelight: Dean O Hillis

 

There’s no bigger purveyor of new wave pop than SLUG’s own beloved music lover Dean O Hillis. As a manager of MODified Music in the ’90s, Hillis was Salt Lake’s ambassador of musique Britannica, from Morrissey to Pet Shop Boys to Saint Etienne. He began writing for SLUG nearly 15 years ago, and has contributed music reviews and world-class interviews that delight his idols—Alison Moyet, Erasure, Suzanne Vega, Sarah Cracknell and The Mynabirds (pg. 14) among them—with his complete knowledge and high esteem of their work. Beyond his encyclopedic understanding of pop music, Hillis is a cherished dog-walker, pet-sitter, Christmas lover and vegan who brings joy and smiles to humans and canines alike! Cheers, Dean!

Articles by contributor

Review: Zoot Woman – Star Climbing

Review: Zoot Woman – Star Climbing
By

Zoot Woman = Fischerspooner – Felix Da Housecat + Blur … read more

Review: Wild Belle – Isles

Review: Wild Belle – Isles
By

With an interesting mash-up of eclectic styles—including trip hop, reggae and ska—siblings Natalie and Elliot Bergman’s debut is equally unique. … read more

Review: Twinstar – The Sound Of Leaving

Review: Twinstar – The Sound Of Leaving
By

LA-based trio Twinstar is comprised of some talented musicians, especially main songwriter and vocalist Keith Joyner and his musical cohort Chris Candelaria, who came together after disbanding two bands most of us have probably never heard of before—Chihuahua and Revolux. … read more

Review: Them Are Us Too – Remain

Review: Them Are Us Too – Remain
By

Them Are Us Too = Cocteau Twins – My Bloody Valentine … read more

Review: Touche – It’s Fate

Review: Touche – It’s Fate
By

Apparently “singer” Alex Lilly and instrumentalist/vocalist Bram Inscore, who comprise this girl/boy LA duo, didn’t do their research when picking a name for their group. … read more

Review: The Mynabirds – Generals: Remixed

Review: The Mynabirds – Generals: Remixed
By

With its many great hooks and swagger, Laura Burhenn’s sophomore album under her Mynabirds moniker was a prime candidate for remixing, and the six choices here (expanded digitally from four available on vinyl) are well served.  … read more

Review: The Devil’s In the Details – Saint Etienne’s “Home Counties”

Review: The Devil’s In the Details – Saint Etienne’s “Home...
By

While not specifically a direct concept album like its two predecessors precisely—despite there being a recurring theme of suburbia and suburban life—Saint Etienne have taken some inspiration from their luminous back-catalog and reinvested it into their always stellar songcraft skills in “Home Counties.” … read more

Review: Suzanne Vega – Tales From The Realm Of The Queen Of Pentacles

Review: Suzanne Vega – Tales From The Realm Of The Queen...
By

“Black is the truth/of my situation/and for those of my station/In life/all other colors lie,” Vega ominously sings on the thrillingly catchy “I Never Wear White,” one of many highs on this, her eighth studio album. … read more

Review: St. Lucia

Review: St. Lucia
By

Virtual one-man band and Johannesburg native Jean-Philip Grobler’s joyous, self-titled EP is something of a small marvel. Following a relatively simple formula of classic beats, infectious melody and a positive vibe presently missing on most radio these days, he has crafted a group of six tracks that are both pleasant and refreshingly memorable. … read more

Review: Snowmine – Dialects

Review: Snowmine – Dialects
By

Sounding a bit like an unsigned 4AD band complete with moody, ethereal backgrounds, lush orchestrations and sometimes-coherent-sometimes-not vocals—the Brooklyn quintet certainly distances itself from its contemporaries by creating everything by hand. … read more

Review: Shiny Two Shiny – When the Rain Stops

Review: Shiny Two Shiny – When the Rain Stops
By

Shiny Two Shiny = early Everything But The Girl + In The Garden–era Eurythmics … read more

Review: Sally Dige – Hard To Please

Review: Sally Dige – Hard To Please
By

Sally Dige = Kelly Clarkson (or any Idol winner) – 
Dave Gahan  … read more

Review: Rosie Lowe – Right Thing EP

Review: Rosie Lowe – Right Thing EP
By

Fresh from her recent guest stint on Lil Silva’s “No Doubt,” UK vocalist Lowe’s debut EP showcases a new and striking talent. … read more

Review: Polly Scattergood – Arrows

Review: Polly Scattergood – Arrows
By

What a refreshing and novel concept for an album in 2013: songs of heart break and loneliness without any cloying traces of hip-hop or rapping on them.  The very talented Scattergood bares her heart completely for her sophomore album and that young, … read more

Review: Potpourri Of Pearls – We Went to Heaven

Review: Potpourri Of Pearls – We Went to Heaven
By

A concept album of sorts—based on the fact that PoP’s lead singer Adam Brody’s 14th birthday coincided with the discovery of the unfortunate victims from the Heaven’s Gate cult—even if only loosely themed, makes for a bizarre sophomore release. … read more

Review: Pet Shop Boys – Electric

Review: Pet Shop Boys – Electric
By

With so much EDM glutting up the market—and so much of it disposable—it is nice when artists in the know produce dynamic versions of it, as if saying, “This is how it can be done.” … read more

Review: Panama – Always EP

Review: Panama – Always EP
By

It is hard to categorize this Sydney-based quartet, fronted by the talents of the classically trained Jarrah McCleary, and having now listened to the original—and fairly mellow—versions of three tracks comprising this, their sophomore EP, I would say: “disco-lite.” … read more

Review: Never Sol – Under Quiet

Review: Never Sol – Under Quiet
By

Never Sol = Fiona Apple – Cat Power + Ennio Morricone … read more

Review: MS MR – Secondhand Rapture

Review: MS MR – Secondhand Rapture
By

It is something of a small miracle that the New York based duo of Lizzy Plapinger (she being the ‘ms’) and Max Hershenow (and he the ‘mr’) have made a rarity in today’s music world— a consistently solid debut record. … read more

Review: Marshall Holland – And The Etceteras

Review: Marshall Holland – And The Etceteras
By

One-man band Holland (this Bay–Area based maestro writes, produces, plays and sings everything himself) returns with a catchy, frequently funny and even poignant new record. … read more

Review: Lisa Papineau – Blood Noise

Review: Lisa Papineau – Blood Noise
By

Often using the softer register of her varied instrument, songs like “Dream The Wild,” “Early Spring” and “Rainmaker” partially sound whispered and ghostly. … read more

Review: Jeffrey Novak – Lemon Kid

Review: Jeffrey Novak – Lemon Kid
By

One assumes that the unintentionally yet appropriately titled opener, “Endless Repetition,” sounds like a first-stage demo on purpose, or that the title track is really dreadful, despite the briefly creative drumming that it starts with. … read more

Local Reviews: Late Night Alumni

Local Reviews: Late Night Alumni
By

In the fast-paced world of electronica, it isn’t surprising that this is LNA’s fourth album since their 2005 debut, but rather, it is pleasantly shocking to hear how sleek it sounds, especially for an SLC-based outfit. Arguably, this is because well-known DJ and local-adopted son Ryan Raddon (aka Kaskade) is the mastermind behind the sound, but vocalist Becky Jean Williams—whose little-girl cooing is perfect for this genre—more than holds her own. … read more

Local Review: Robyn Cage – Tales Of A Thief / Burning Now

Local Review: Robyn Cage – Tales Of A Thief /...
By

Robyn Cage = (Florence + the Machine) + Lana Del Rey – Fiona Apple … read more

Local Review: Rare Facture – Light In The Dark

Local Review: Rare Facture – Light In The Dark
By

Rare Facture Light In The Dark Self-Released Street: 06.30 Rare Facture = OMD + Depeche Mode Here’s a novel notion, local musos: study and learn the genre you’re interested in until it becomes your passion—if not your love—then go and make an album. Seemingly without pretension, local synth duo Tom Cella and David Burdick have

Local Review: MiNX – Golden

Local Review: MiNX – Golden
By

Living up to their reputation as one of SLC’s more prolific bands, vocalist/rapper Ischa B. and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Raffi Shahinian return after last year’s MixTape with an album of nine new tracks. … read more

Review: Geoff Westen – I’m Not Crazy

Review: Geoff Westen – I’m Not Crazy
By

Geoff Westen = Oingo Boingo + The Cars – David Byrne   … read more

Review: Gardens & Villa – Dunes

Review: Gardens & Villa – Dunes
By

Much like their eponymous 2011 debut, the new Gardens & Villa album frequently combines lead singer and guitarist Chris Lynch’s flute playing with the synths of Adam Rasmussen that recalls the early-’80s styling of this amalgam, with mostly successful results.  … read more

Review: case/lang/veirs – Self-titled

Review: case/lang/veirs – Self-titled
By

case/lang/veirs = Parton/Ronstadt/Harris + Buckingham/Nicks/McVie
… read more

Review: Chad Valley – Young Hunger

Review: Chad Valley – Young Hunger
By

Sounding too much like an 80’s act resolvedly stuck in the 80’s–save the occasional auto-tune tweaking–one man band Hugo Manuel (of Jonquil) has a silky smooth and very high-pitched falsetto, which he can impressively drop a few octaves down effortlessly.  … read more

Review: ANNE – Pulling Chain

Review: ANNE – Pulling Chain
By

 While the invisible line that often divides musical subgenres sometimes requires a stretch of the imagination, Portland-based ANNE (aka David Lindell) has completely jumped the shoegazer one it inherited for a decidedly electronic gothy one, on this, their “proper” debut. … read more

Review: Alison Moyet – The Minutes

Review: Alison Moyet – The Minutes
By

Usually, it takes the first phrasing from Moyet’s lips to hook me into a specific song, but as Guy Sigworth’s elegant electronics start on “Horizon Flame,” it is apparent that something exciting is at play. … read more

Review: Alison Moyet – Live At Bush Hall & Changeling EPs

Review: Alison Moyet – Live At Bush Hall & Changeling...
By

A simple, clean take of “When I Was Your Girl” reminds us what a dynamic live singer Moyet is, while a gorgeously delicate reading of “Filigree”—sans backing vocals—is not to be missed. … read more

Pet Shop Boys’ Super: We’re Gonna Burn This Disco Down!

Pet Shop Boys’ Super: We’re Gonna Burn This Disco Down!
By

Ever the purveyors of sophisticated dance music, Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe return to show us why 35 years in they not only have the goods, but are still thrillingly active in pioneering the sound that made them famous. … read more

Review: “I’m Always Listening” – Alison Moyet’s Other

Review: “I’m Always Listening” – Alison Moyet’s Other
By

The seraphic-voiced legend Alison Moyet released her latest track “Other” on June 16 on Cooking Vinyl before starting her North American tour. … read more

Gotta Get You Back to You: Tori Amos’ Native Invader

Gotta Get You Back to You: Tori Amos’ Native Invader
By

The political stance on Native Invader recalls 2007’s fiery American Doll Posse, especially its pointed political songs “Yo George,” “Code Red” and “Posse Bonus.” … read more

“We Made A Miracle”: Erasure – World Be Gone

“We Made A Miracle”: Erasure – World Be Gone
By

World Be Gone proves that the Clarke and Bell duo—rivetingly—still has much more to say. How lucky the pop world is for that! … read more

Local Reviews: Highway 6

Local Reviews: Highway 6
By

Highway 6 is comprised of daughter/father singer-songwriters Heidi and Tom Nedreberg, and Love Songs To The Desert marks their self-released debut.  As far as local CDs and music go, it is quite accomplished and polished.  Unfortunately, it is also a little too country for my ears, which makes it hard for me to review objectively, but I’ll try.  … read more

Local Reviews: Citizen Fate

Local Reviews: Citizen Fate
By

Local CDs are always a mixed bag.  95 percent of the time they suck, and once in a while they 100 percent suck.  Unfortunately for my ears, Citizen Fate fell immediately into the latter category.  … read more

Local Reviews: Brian Bingham

Local Reviews: Brian Bingham
By

Oh local artists, dare to dream!  I don’t really buy into the notion that everyone dreams of being a rock star, yet far too many local artists seem to see themselves this way.  Local singer/songwriter Brian Bingham seems to have been bitten by this grand illusion bug and instead of simply singing in his own voice, does that very annoying American Idol audition trick where he tries to sing as though someone else.  … read more

Local Reviews: Shift & Shadows

Local Reviews: Shift & Shadows
By

Shift & Shadows are another local band that can’t quite decide who they are musically. Self-described as “indie funk rock” on their Facebook page, their music is at times both funky and rock oriented, while vocally and lyrically they are severely malnourished. … read more

Quoting The Best Bits: Pet Shop Boys @ The Complex 10.22

Quoting The Best Bits: Pet Shop Boys @ The Complex...
By

Pet Shop Boys always deliver the goods, and they adapted their latest set (gleaned partially from their recent, excellent Super album) to The Complex’s smallish stage successfully with their talent and charm and simply gave the crowd what they wanted: great dance and pop tunes in dynamic new arrangements. … read more

Local Reviews: Idyll Rigamarole

Local Reviews: Idyll Rigamarole
By

It is hard to criticize music by a local “teen-run” record label, but I’ll do my best.  All local artists should take note: Every artist is a local artist where they came from.  That doesn’t mean they should be making records.  With a name that would surely get them kicked out from even busking in Sherwood Forest, Idyll Rigamarole describes their sound as “medieval groove folk” on their Facebook page. … read more

Review: A MusiCares Tribute To: Carole King

Review: A MusiCares Tribute To: Carole King
By

Let’s face it: a tribute concert to a legend is only equal to the sum of its various—or in this case, its various artists’—parts, and this is certainly an interesting and eclectic mix, from a range of musical genres coming together to honor the great singer/songwriter. … read more

Local Reviews: Bellrave

Local Reviews: Bellrave
By

Local dance musician Allison Martin continues her quest to become the resident queen of the disco scene. Her latest project—a collaboration with Allister Marx, under new moniker Bellrave—certainly takes her one step closer. … read more

Laura Burhenn: Lovers Know Extended Interview

Laura Burhenn: Lovers Know Extended Interview
By

In the big wild world of modern music—so presently overcrowded with equal parts would-be artists and sub-genres—it is often the truly talented that get buried and overlooked. … read more

The Mynabirds’ Laura Burhenn: I’ll Paint the Ponies

The Mynabirds’ Laura Burhenn: I’ll Paint the Ponies
By

The Mynabirds’ Laura Burhenn wants to sing you a love song on new album Lovers Know. – SLUG Mag … read more

Shake Your Head Yes: The Mynabirds – Lovers Know

Shake Your Head Yes: The Mynabirds – Lovers Know
By

In the few years between The Mynabirds’ debut and its convoking follow-up, Generals, Laura Burhenn has honed her voice to a lovely sheen. … read more

Local Review: MiNX

Local Review: MiNX
By

The chameleon-like duo of Ischa Bee and Raffi Shahinian are definitely trying to make an impression on our local music scene. With a staggering 45 free tracks available to download from their website (minxband.com), they are certainly one of the most prolific.  … read more

Pet Shop Boys – Pandemonium CD/DVD Review

Pet Shop Boys – Pandemonium CD/DVD Review
By

When The Pet Shop Boys first toured in 1989, it was a decidedly unique event. The end result was a complete eschewal of the traditional rock concert format, instead incorporating a theatrical approach with stunning visuals, multiple costume changes and the songs themselves being presented as themed concepts complete with filmed backdrops. They have continually expanded on this formula, creating a show that is both visually incredible and undeniably memorable. … read more

Madonnaʼs Celebration Video

Madonnaʼs Celebration Video
By

  “Celebration” is punctuated by very quick shots interlaced together, culminating in a gathering/party of the dancers of her recently wrapped “Sticky & Sweet Tour.” Madonna, of course, is center stage throughout.
 
 

… read more

On Meeting the Pet Shop Boys

On Meeting the Pet Shop Boys
By

Meeting a favorite artist or band can be a religious experience. One is given that rare chance to grab an autograph, a picture with their idols, a chance to tell that artist how much their music has meant to them, or just the opportunity to smile/wave/gawk at them. When my long-time favorites Pet Shop Boys announced their Fall “Pandemonium” tour with a chance to purchase a “VIP Meet and Greet” package, I jumped at the opportunity. … read more

Aimee Mann @ The State Room

Aimee Mann @ The State Room
By

Aimee Mannʼs music is comforting, melodic, beautiful and despite the unfortunate and incorrect critical tag line of it being “depressing,” (I would have chosen “realistic” if I wrote reviews back in those days) very uplifting. I was extremely excited about seeing her live for the first time, in a new venue (the great new The State Room), and especially in such an intimate setting: The State Room boasts a capacity of 300. … read more

Tori Amos – Midwinter Graces review

Tori Amos – Midwinter Graces review
By

I can think of no greater feat than a Christmas/Holiday album helping to get you in the mood for the forthcoming holidays in October.  If ever a modern artist was suited for recording a holiday/seasonal album, it must be Tori Amos.  … read more

Erasure – The Innocents 21st Anniversary Review

Erasure – The Innocents 21st Anniversary Review
By

Most people that know my musical taste know that I’m a huge Erasure fan.  In fact, I would say it is an honest assessment of my fandom to state that Erasure is probably my favorite band of all time. Twenty-one years after its release, one of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell’s greatest albums has definitely stood the test of time.  … read more

Pet Shop Boys Christmas EP Review

Pet Shop Boys Christmas EP Review
By

The Pet Shop Boys Christmas EP reviewed by Dean  O Hillis. … read more

Suzanne Vega – Love Songs Review

Suzanne Vega – Love Songs Review
By

I remember the first time I ever heard Suzanne Vega: It was late in the Spring of 1985 and my childhood friend Emily would play Vega’s eponymous debut in her VW Beetle’s tape deck as we drove around the Salt Lake valley. I quickly became enamored with this album and especially Vega’s perceptive lyrics and her pretty, clear voice. At that time there was no one else quite like her. … read more

Pet Shop Boys – Pandemonium CD/DVD Review

Pet Shop Boys – Pandemonium CD/DVD Review
By

When The Pet Shop Boys first toured in 1989, it was a decidedly unique event. The end result was a complete eschewal of the traditional rock concert format, instead incorporating a theatrical approach with stunning visuals, multiple costume changes and the songs themselves being presented as themed concepts complete with filmed backdrops. They have continually expanded on this formula, creating a show that is both visually incredible and undeniably memorable. … read more

Mynabirds – What We Lose In The Fire.. Review

Mynabirds – What We Lose In The Fire.. Review
By

It’s not often that I stumble upon a new talent that overwhelms me, but when I do I want to share it with everyone that I know. When I received The Mynabirds’ debut, the heavenly What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood to review back in February, I was first intrigued by the title and then absolutely blown away by the sound. … read more

Andy Bell – Non-Stop review

Andy Bell – Non-Stop review
By

While comparisons to his active role as one half of Erasure are inevitable (they’d have to be) Andy Bell—one of the world’s most underrated vocalists—has captured the magic on his second solo album, the sublime Non-Stop. The secret here, besides Bell’s ability to always create a hummable chorus, is his willingness to experiment with his vocals. … read more

The Mynabirds and The Art Of Losing Oneself

The Mynabirds and The Art Of Losing Oneself
By

When any artist finds their defining sound it is a moment of revelation as much as it is a celebration. Laura Burhenn, singer/songwriter extraordinaire and one of the hardest working artists in recent memory seems to have found both in her great and critically acclaimed project The Mynabirds, and the world is musically a better place for it. … read more

k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang – Sing It Loud review

k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang – Sing It...
By

There is nothing better than hearing k.d. lang wrap that heavenly voice around brand new material, and the ease of how she works so seamlessly with a great band only makes this fantastic album that much more pleasurable. … read more

Pet Shop Boys: Together, Battleship Potemkin & Concrete reviews

Pet Shop Boys: Together, Battleship Potemkin & Concrete reviews
By

As troubling as I find the dying out of US physical CD singles, this is actually not the first release that the Pet Shop Boys have experimented with in the digital format—the singles from their last album were only available digitally in the US. I won’t lament too much on this, as the web has brought availability and accessibility to us all—especially since I procured the singles as a standard British CD single set last November, as I’m sure many US fans did. … read more

Beauty And The Beat At 30: Go-Go’s Jane Wiedlin Interview

Beauty And The Beat At 30: Go-Go’s Jane Wiedlin Interview
By

I recently chatted with Jane about the tour and the anniversary of one of the finest and most legendary debuts in pop history. It was the first album completely written and performed by an all-female band to top the Billboard charts, where it remained for an astounding consecutive six-week reign. A feat, incidentally, never reached before or since. … read more

Kate Bush Director’s Cut: The Thrill And The Hurting

Kate Bush Director’s Cut: The Thrill And The Hurting
By

Imagine my surprise several months ago to find that s new album entitled Director’s Cut was forthcoming from Kate Bush. I was extremely intrigued to learn that this new release was a reworking of eleven previously released Kate Bush songs. Bush has retained her favorite parts of these tracks and completely re-recorded the drums and vocals so they more reflect her original vision. … read more

Erasure Tomorrow’s World: The Sound of the Future, Today

Erasure Tomorrow’s World: The Sound of the Future, Today
By

I was graciously given a review copy of their brand new album, entitled Tomorrow’s World. It has been an interesting juxtaposition to hear these early recordings compared to their brand new music for 2011 … read more

Kate Bush – 50 Words For Snow review

Kate Bush – 50 Words For Snow review
By

Performing one of the year’s greatest musical achievements—releasing not one but two varied and nearly perfect records—would be daunting for any artist, but when that artist is Kate Bush the announcement of a second release within six months seemed nearly to good to be true. But as the details of 50 Words for Snow were tantalizingly revealed, this dream notion was very much a reality. … read more

The Opiates- Hollywood Under The Knife & Rainy Days and Remixes Reviews

The Opiates- Hollywood Under The Knife & Rainy Days and...
By

A long time in the making, the Opiates full-length debut, Hollywood Under The Knife, was worth every single second of wait time. With a world-weary truth—the album’s mostly female protagonists emerge song by song with their faults and weaknesses laid bare for the listener. As the album works its magic and emblazons itself upon the listener’s brain, this ultra-sophisticated concept album triumphs as one of this year’s finest releases. … read more

The Opiates – Hollywood Cuts: The Remixes Review

The Opiates – Hollywood Cuts: The Remixes Review
By

There’s always something to be said of a great remix and what it can do to transform a song—from reverent ballad to tits-out club stomper—and how it can revitalize or even reinvent a release. One of my favorite albums of last year was easily Hollywood Under the Knife, released under dance diva extraordinaire Billie Ray Martin’s great Opiates moniker. I was excited by the notion of a new full-length remix album, but didn’t expect to be so blown away by it. … read more

The Revolution Starts Now: The Mynabirds’ Generals

The Revolution Starts Now: The Mynabirds’ Generals
By

When the hypnotic, big beats and power guitar riffs of the Mynabirds’ “Generals”—the first single and also, incidentally, the title track of Laura Burhenn’s sophomore effort—were introduced in February, I was immediately excited by the possibility of a promised new sound. … read more

My Quality Minutes with Alison Moyet

My Quality Minutes with Alison Moyet
By

It was wonderful news when Alison Moyet announced she was going to release a new album (the minutes) this year, and an even bigger surprise when it charted so highly in the UK charts (at Number Five, her second-highest-charting studio album there since 1987’s Raindancing to be precise)—a remarkable feat for any artist, especially one who hasn’t released new material in seven years and more specifically—in what remains a sexist industry—a woman. … read more

National CD Reviews – December 2009

National CD Reviews – December 2009
By , , , , , , , ,

This month’s national reviews feature releases from Asobi Seksu, Beak>, Dead To Me, Evangelista, The Mary Onettes, The Prodigy, The Rakes, Skeletonwitch, Slayer and many more. … read more

Local Reviews: My Dead Ego

Local Reviews: My Dead Ego
By

It is hard to get excited about reviewing something that comes with very little information about it. While promos come in a variety of formats, most of them include a teeny bit of background. So—other than a cover art print, and that this EP’s three tracks were handwritten on its CDR alongside the name Allison Martin—the only thing to do was start listening to it. And what a pleasant surprise it was—if not a slight shock—from a local CD.  … read more

“Hark! The Herald(ed) Angel Sings”: Review of Erasure’s Snow Globe

“Hark! The Herald(ed) Angel Sings”: Review of Erasure’s Snow Globe
By

For Erasure fans, a full-on Christmas album has always been something of a dream. Now that the concept of an entire holiday album is a reality for their 15th full-length album, the results show it has been well worth the wait.  … read more

Morrissey @ Kingsbury Hall 05.16 with Kristeen Young

Morrissey @ Kingsbury Hall 05.16 with Kristeen Young
By

While I loathe to bring it up, friends, there is a darker side of appreciation and collecting too, one that reared its nasty head when this icon and hero of mine cancelled his 2012 and 2013 tours, that had already been scheduled then cancelled then rescheduled and not once, but twice. Sometimes it takes an absence to be reminded why we love someone so much—clichéd as that sounds, it did make my heart grow fonder for the man. … read more

“The Love Gets Higher …” Erasure’s “The Violet Flame” Reviewed

“The Love Gets Higher …” Erasure’s “The Violet Flame” Reviewed
By

I take it as a positive portent that the day I received the new Erasure album promo to review, I was on an obsessive cycle of listening to its first single, the anthemic “Elevation.” … read more

For Whom The (Violet) Bell Tolls: In Conversation with Erasure’s Andy Bell

For Whom The (Violet) Bell Tolls: In Conversation with Erasure’s...
By

With Erasure presently on an increasingly sold-out international tour, I had the humbling pleasure of speaking to Bell before their highly anticipated return to the Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 29. … read more

Rapture and Fascination: Erasure @ Capitol Theatre 10.29

Rapture and Fascination: Erasure @ Capitol Theatre 10.29
By

Bell truly sounds magnificent and it is something watching him perform in person. One of our generation’s best blue-eyed soul singers, his technical voice is a marvel. Taking another unexpected curve, Clarke starts up the dark engines of Tomorrow’s World’s bitchy “I Lose Myself,” and Bell looks like he’s having a blast singing it. … read more

A Melody – A Chord – A Lyric: A Conversation with Suzanne Vega

A Melody – A Chord – A Lyric: A Conversation...
By

When I think of the music of Suzanne Vega, my brain conjures up vivid images of characters, time both past and present, destinations traveled, dreams dreamt and sometimes, those yet to be experienced.  … read more

Review: Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes & Under The Pink Deluxe Remasters

Review: Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes & Under The Pink...
By

I must be a record company marketer’s wet dream: I always buy into the concept of the remaster and, more often than not, the “deluxe” part—which is usually b-sides or remixes that had previously only been released on vinyl, and sometimes previously unreleased material. … read more

Sarah Cracknell: Flying Kites in Sylvan Skies

Sarah Cracknell: Flying Kites in Sylvan Skies
By

Sarah Cracknell, the glamorous chanteuse of the iconic British indie band Saint Etienne, has always possessed one of pop’s most incandescent and shimmering voices, capable of eliciting euphoria against a synth-driven beat; heartbreak over a strummed guitar; melancholia and longing over the varied electronic and stripped down sounds the band—now in its astounding 25th year—has experimented with over the years; but, above all else, a simple charm. … read more