Blogcritics Author: Charlie Doherty

Interview: Rob Halford, Metal God And Judas Priest Vocalist

Charlie Doherty — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 20:13:01 EST

An exclusive, eye-opening interview with the greatest living metal singer, Judas Priest�s Rob Halford.
Legendary British rock icons Judas Priest are still hard at work, four decades on into its storied career. After releasing an ambitious, underrated double album, Nostradamus and touring behind it in 25 countries, the band’s gifted and self-proclaimed “Metal God,” singer Rob Halford found over 37 minutes of his time to talk to me...

Book Review: Ted Williams At War by Bill Nowlin

Charlie Doherty — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:28:46 EST

This is simply the best and most comprehensive book on Ted Williams' heroic wartime experiences. Period.
Most biographies on Ted Williams (a.k.a. the "Splendid Splinter") focus relatively little space -- a chapter or two -- to the man's life outside of baseball. The prolific author Bill Nowlin's terrific book Ted Williams At War however, at well over 360 pages, devotes plenty of space to Williams' time in the armed forces, including the political and...

Treehouse Fort "What Were They Thinking?" Nominees For Week Of December 14

Charlie Doherty — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:53:57 EST

There was no Treehouse Fort show yesterday, but idiots ruled the sports world this past week nonetheless. Read/vote on the biggest ones.
On that rare occasion that the Treehouse Fort sports radio show takes a Sunday off, I refuse to let a week's worth of idiocracy in the sports world go without comment. Thus, enjoy another stellar list of nominees for my "What Were They Thinking" segment and poll. This week's list is mostly football-based but covers other areas,...

Music Review: The Verve - Forth

Charlie Doherty — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:14:27 EST

British rock icons The Verve have made a respectable comeback record. Enjoy it now, before they break up again!
The Verve was without question one of the best British rock groups of the 1990s. But they broke up in 1999 after ten years together and after the most successful period of its career. Singer Richard Ashcroft then launched a mildly successful solo career in the early 2000s. Now, nearly ten years later, the band is back together and has made Forth...

Music DVD Review: The Who - The Who At Kilburn: 1977

Charlie Doherty — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:11:59 EST

With two classic concerts spanning three-plus hours, this is a must-have double DVD for every true fan of The Who.
At the London Coliseum on December 14, 1969 and at the Gaumont State Theater in Kilburn, North London, England on December 15, 1977, the other famous Fab Four from the original British Invasion era, known simply as The Who, performed two legendary shows for the ages, ones that weren’t digitally restored and remastered until this year. Known...

Joe Satriani Vs. Coldplay: A Tale Of Two Songs

Charlie Doherty — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 07:27:25 EST

Even musical geniuses like Joe Satriani can make mistakes sometimes. This one has nothing to do with his guitar playing.
The recent commotion over whether or not Coldplay ripped off guitar whiz Joe Satriani is nothing less than surprising and mystifying. My bewilderment has nothing to do with Coldplay however, but with Satriani, the guitar teacher-turned instrumental rock god. Last week, after months of not hearing back from Coldplay (who are in the midst of a major...

Music Review: Jackson United - Harmony And Dissidence

Charlie Doherty — Sat, 6 Dec 2008 12:20:23 EST

The Foo Fighters rhythm guitarist largely shines on his side project's sophomore release, Harmony And Dissidence.
Like ex-Nirvana drummer-turned-singer/guitarist extraordinaire Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, bandmate and rhythm guitarist Chris Shiflett (also of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes) has looked to make a name for himself in a side project in recent years. While Grohl formed the impressive star-studded heavy metal side project Probot – featuring...

Music Review: Living Colour - CBGB OMFUG Masters - Live August 19, 2005 - The Bowery Collection

Charlie Doherty — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:50:42 EST

Living Colour's inspired 2005 performance at the once-influential, now long gone CBGB club in NYC is now on CD.
New York natives Living Colour are no strangers to the legendary and as of 2006, deceased NYC CBGB rock club, which supported live acts for 33 years. The band, known for its unique fusion of heavy metal, funk, reggae and other genres and influenced by everyone from Fishbone and Bad Brains to Jimi Hendrix, played at the world's "most important punk...

Keeping Up With Yngwie Malmsteen

Charlie Doherty — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:14:21 EST

This living legend is back with a vengeance, excited about his new album, guitar, and all things Malmsteen.
For close to 25 years now, Swedish-born legend Yngwie Malmsteen has awed audiences worldwide with his groundbreaking brand of classical-style heavy metal and distinct approach to guitar playing. Whether it be slick, sweeping arpeggio riffs or lightning-quick shredding (which at times hard rock critics thought was a little overdone at the expense of...

Music Review: Andy Yorke - Simple

Charlie Doherty — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:20:32 EST

After many years away from music, Thom Yorke�s younger brother Andy makes a worthy comeback to the indie scene.
Andy Yorke, the younger brother of alternative rock icon Thom Yorke (of Radiohead), is finally stepping out on his own, having formerly fronted British atmospheric pop rockers Unbelievable Truth in the late 1990s. That group sold a respectable six figures of albums before Yorke left in 2000 to pursue other interests outside of music, including...