Blogcritics

Former Stars Clutter Up My TiVo

Josh Lasser — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 14:43:25 EST

I'm sorry, you were a star when? Why?
At the behest of Erin Medley, who recommended on our radio show this past week that I watch Confessions of a Teen Idol, I set my TiVo up to air one of VH1's umpteen repeats of the premiere. Last night, I had the "good fortune" to have a hole in my viewing schedule which I managed to squeeze this little reality nugget into.In case you...

Bands to Watch in 2009

A.L. Harper — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 13:47:35 EST

Scouring our Band of the Week database, to re-introduce you to bands that likely to achieve huge mainstream success in 2009.
Independent music is a very hot topic right now on the music scene. It used to be that indie bands were really only popular within a region and with local fans, but with the internet becoming a dominant force for indie music there are now thousands of bands to choose from. Wading through all those would be a huge chore. But BC is here to help! ...

Music Review: Fiftywatthead - Fogcutter

Jordan Richardson — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:55:32 EST

A monstrous obsession with the Art of Loud.
Out of the working-class chill of Windsor, Ontario, the last thing one might expect would be an extreme music outfit the likes of Fiftywatthead. Yet this unspeakably vicious metal quartet has emerged from the Canadian city, slugged on the peninsula near Detroit, to deliver a total assault on the eardrums.Heavy as shit, deafening as hell, and lethal...

Music Review: O'Death - Broken Hymns, Limbs, And Skin

Tan The Man — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 09:11:50 EST

Dedicated to Eliza Sudol, the late fianc� of Rogers-Berry, O'Death's Broken Hymns, Limbs And Skin excitedly captures the blending of multiple musical genres.
After self-releasing their first two albums Carl Nemelka Family Photographs (2004) and Head Home (2006), Brooklyn-based quintet O'Death finally release their independent label (Kemado Records) debut for the band's third full-length LP Broken Hymns, Limbs And Skin.O'Death is unique in the sense that it features all of its original...

Music Review: Enclave - Enclave Diaspora

Big Geez — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 09:06:24 EST

Don't try to figure out the name -- just enjoy the music.
A few years back, multi-instrumentalist Hilary Noble brought his remarkable talents into a partnership with equally skilled pianist Rebecca Cline and formed Enclave, a group dedicated to their concept of an Afro-Latin/post-bop jazz fusion. The quartet's initial album, 2005's Enclave, found a receptive audience among jazz fans and critics...

Les Nubians' 1998 Debut, Princesses Nubiennes, Seamlessly Combines Afro-pop, Jazz, R&B, and Hip Hop

Kit O'Toole — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 09:00:05 EST

Over a decade later, world music duo Les Nubians still amaze with their sultry French vocals and modern beats.
Afro-pop? French hip-hop? Jazz? World beat? Les Nubians defies description. I first encountered the musically talented sister act back in 1999, when their single “Makeda” received airplay from urban adult contemporary stations. Instantly I became captivated by its infectious beat, sultry French lyrics, and its unique combination of...

Music Review: Apocalyptica, Scale the Summit, Uriah Heep, Rising Force, and Mortification

Marty Dodge — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 08:48:25 EST

Mortification, Rising Force, Scale the Summit, and Uriah Heep in an Apocalyptica release.
Thoughts turned to my re-issue pile this week and part of me quivered in anticipation. I shall be doing my best to cull a few from the pile each week as the new release scheduled quiets a bit before the big spring push.Apocalyptica: World CollideA bit late to the party on this one, as it was released in 2007, and it seemed to have passed me by. As...

Music Review: Rory Block - Blues Walkin' Like A Man

Lou Novacheck — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 08:27:52 EST

�The blues got so bad that they manifested into human form and began walking down the road beside you ��
Rory Block is on a mission. She’s a missionary with a holy mission. She’s out to convince people to become more aware and appreciative of the Southern blues troubadours who started the Country Blues, the blues troubadours who made it famous, too, since they’re not always one and the same.Rory Block Blues Walkin’ Like A Man...

Wine Review: Experiencing Cabernet Franc

Marisa DVari — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 08:12:18 EST

Curious to find a delicious and affordable wine this season?
Looking for a delicious, affordable, and trendy new grape varietal to dazzle your friends at impromptu wine tastings? Look no further than Cabernet Franc, an all too frequently overlooked varietal that pairs well with a wide variety of winter-themed cuisine.As an accomplished or aspiring wine geek, you may already know that Cabernet Franc is one of...

Book Review: Summer Secret (Sonshine Girls #1) by René Morris

Jennifer Bogart — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 06:34:52 EST

Girls, friendship, makeup and boys - 'tween-lit meets Jesus, providing strong moral guidance through the rocky years of adolescence.
When 13-year-old Kristin moves from Georgia to Texas she is thankful to quickly find a new group of friends. Charli, Jessica and Anna eagerly open the doors of their life-long friendship to include her as a fourth member. Life in Rimsfield sparkles with new promise as the girls plan for the summer youth group church camp and the upcoming school...