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MusicSingle Review: Elektric Animals – “Cheers”Elektrik Animals dish up alternative rock and upbeat feelings without superficial optimism on the new single “Cheers.”Valerie Vampola · Nov 24, 2021

Photo for “Top Tunes Thursday: Coldplay — Adventure Of A Lifetime”

MusicTop Tunes Thursday: Coldplay — Adventure Of A LifetimeThe track is joyful in a resurgent kind of way. Driving leads and a surprisingly groovy rhythm for a pop band (let alone a pop band of such drear and atmosphere) cloud your mind like the smoke from a caterpillar’s hookah. It’s relentless and irresistibly toe tapping. Jam packed into their wooing, if not predictable, brand of pop are notes of Earth Wind & Fire, Phoenix, and fretwork from U2’s The Edge as well as modern pop titans, like Pharell, Justin Timberlake, and Daft Punk, especially the latter, considering their recent poppy-funky love affair. I feel the song chip away at winter’s frost, and as frontman Chris Martin heralds chorus after chorus of “I feel alive again!” I can’t help but agree.Clark Lamson · Nov 12, 2015

MusicTop Tunes Thursday: Kurt Vile — Pretty PimpinOf all the musical instruments iconic to American music, the paramount would be the guitar. Although blues music originally came in the form of African spirituals and hymnals, it was changed forever when it met it’s six stringed soul mate. Rock n’ roll, arguably the most American genre there is, was built around the glistening tones of the 1957 Gibson ES-350 T. For Kurt Vile, Pennsylvania born indie rocker, the guitar is both the means and the end.Clark Lamson · Jul 30, 2015

MusicTop Tunes Thursday: Ben Folds — Phone In a Pool / Capable of AnythingIt’s been a long time since I was first introduced to the sonorous sounds of Ben Folds, but he’s still making music. This week, Folds released some of the first new material since his 2008 record, Way To Normal, which was followed with a college a-capella record, and a compilation album. The two singles, titled “Phone in a Pool” and “Capable of Anything” instantly remind me of what I found so appealing as a rolly-polly youngster, and what I still find appealing as a, well, rolly-polly not-so-youngster.Clark Lamson · Jul 23, 2015

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MusicNew Music Monday: Mac Demarco — “The Way You’d Love Her”“The Way You’d Love Her” is the lead single from Another One, the mini-LP scheduled for an August 7th release. The track doesn’t do much to push outside Demarco’s wobbly-kneed stoner yodels, but I’m not sure anyone wanted him to. I know I didn’t. “The Way You’d Love Her” features the same smiley strumming and light keyboard work we have come to expect, though the vocal ventures closer to earlier works from Rock and Rock Night Club. Demarco creates a lazy river with his melodies, which the listeners glide abidingly down. The author has an unusual knack for writing melodies that feel upbeat, while creating a sneaking feeling that the content doesn’t echo the sentiment.Clark Lamson · May 18, 2015

Partially redacted memorandum on Epitaph Security Group letterhead, dated 23 June 2015, signed at bottom.

MusicNew Music Monday: Desaparecidos — City on the HillLove him or hate him (because it’s more than likely one of the two) Conor Oberst is one of his generation’s most eminent singer/songwriter, not to mention prolific.Clark Lamson · Apr 13, 2015

Black-and-white album cover of a worn concrete staircase with metal railings and white text reading "Sagres.

MusicNew Music Monday: Tallest Man on Earth — “Sagres”In 2006, Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Mattson released his self-titled debut to overwhelmingly positive reviews under the moniker The Tallest Man on Earth.Clark Lamson · Mar 2, 2015

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MusicNew Music Monday: Alabama Shakes — Don’t Wanna FightIn 2012, Alabama locals Brittany Howard, Zac Cockrell, Steve Johnson, and Heath Fogg released their debut album, Boys & Girls.Clark Lamson · Feb 16, 2015