When something's not broken, it's never advisable to mess too much with it. Such must have been the hard-won wisdom that producer Brendan O'Brien took to heart when he was asked to revisit Vs. for Pearl Jam's ongoing reissue series because, for the most part, (other than a couple of tracks included at the record's end) not a whole lot is dramatically different from a production standpoint; the difference between the original, 1993 release of Vs. and this reissue certainly...

What does the packaging and presentation of an album say about the music contained on it? Common wisdom has always upheld that one should never judge a book by its' cover but, when you're unfamiliar with an artist, what else is there to go on at first? The fact is that the cover of an album can speak volumes and draw a multitude of images to mind before a single note of music is heard. That's a significant power –...

If one stands back and really looks at the whole picture, isn't it incredible how far Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters have come in sixteen years? Seriously, look at it; this was the first band to emerge out of the wreckage of Nirvana and it was the drummer's project – those have not historically been long-lasting affairs. The band has endured though, and actually grown in stature with time; now, Grohl and his band  can say they've been joined onstage...

At this point, J. Mascis should need no introduction as a performer or songwriter. Since first appearing as the guitarist, main singer and half of the songwriting talent in Dinosaur Jr. in 1985, Mascis has deservedly drawn attention for his work which often melds classic rock 'guitar god' heroics with more indie-identified and melodic but propulsive changes. That style has made Mascis a star and he has been revered for it, but he has also gone on to win respect...

Happy Fiftieth Junky!So we made it this far, an' none of us is dead'r busted, so's we mus' be doin' somethin' right, right? Good, good shit – I say, an'a hits jus' keep on comin' too – I managed ta boost another primo bag o' SWAG this week, fer yer thievin' pleasure. First, I lifted a couple o' tunes from Atari Teenage Riot. Now, these kids got ther start as a buncha pop-punkin' an' over-emo'ed brats, but ther shapin' up...

Hardcore troubadour Steve Earle has returned with I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive, a T-Bone Burnett-produced album which Earle is calling his "most country" in years, which is appropriate as it takes its name from an old Hank Williams song. With Burnett at the helm and Earle's recent streak of Grammy wins, one can almost sense the folks at the Grammys prepping a Best Country Album award but it is more likely that Earle will be nominated again...

Artist: Sebadoh Venue: Lee’s Palace – Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date: April 6, 2011 Which prominent 90’s band was first to tour one of their classic records? Sonic Youth did some scattered shows playing Daydream Nation; Slint toured their seminal record Spiderland in 2007; The Pixies who haven’t recorded a record in fifteen years seem to have been touring old material non-stop for the past six years. So, who did it first? Who knows! But Sebadoh jumped on the bandwagon to...

In the single greatest, most bizarre news story to break all day, Hanson – yes, the MmmBop-ping band of brothers – have taken a page from the likes of Tom Jones and Paul Anka and are currently in the process of putting together an album comprised of metal covers. That would be shocking enough for some, but what Hanson is doing goes one step further – for this forthcoming album, Hanson is focusing its attention on covering the work of...

On Blood Pressures, The Kills have picked up exactly where they left off on 2008's Midnight Boom, creating tight pop songs hidden beneath layers of dirty digital magic. It's an album that feels like it is out to get you – that wants to cut you and is intent on raising your "blood pressure" – but its' malice is also contrasted with danceable beats and poppy hooks that create a wonderfully narcissistic experience. I will admit that with singer Alison...

After weeks of stormy weather listening to moody ambient post-rock and grumbly down-tuned and down-tempo sludge – immersing myself in the gloom of winter and its' commensurate musings – this southern California boy needed some sunlight. Ask and thou shall receive! The signs of life are returning; people are out and about, lawnmowers are blaring, birds chirping, my neighbors have their windows open for the first time in months and, best of all, Protest The Hero is blaring through my...