boston

Astral Weeks by Ryan H Walsh There are many questions floating around in my head after reading Astral Weeks. Near the top are “Should I finally put in the time with Van Morisson’s Astral Weeks” and “How did I miss all this!”. Astral Weeks is more than just history, it deserves to be studied. And really, you shouldn’t complain because Ryan Walsh did all the hard work for you. In this deceptively dense book, Walsh focuses on a particular location...

Swingin’ Utters Middle East Downstairs – Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 18, 2018. Live Behold the Swingin’ Utters. I mean, seriously, look at them. Have you ever sat down and thought about this band? They’ve been around for nearly 30 years and have managed to stay active and relevant throughout their entire career, despite the name. And they really have a lot going against them. The Utters got their chops as a street punk band, who would not necessarily cater to an...

I don’t know if Brooks Wheelan will ever shake his time on SNL, but I for one am glad his appearance on the show put him on my radar. Since leaving, Wheelan has been responsible for some of the best stand up shows I’ve seen. His departure from the show helped him focus on his album This is Cool, Right? which is simply a phenomenal debut. As solid as that album was, Wheelan has continued to focus on his stand-up...

Courtesy of Ben Stas / Noise...

Seeing Ted Leo play live is not something I take lightly. It’s deeply embedded in my DNA at this point. It’s something I started doing over 10 years ago with people who would go on to become some of my closest friends. Seeing Ted Leo and listening to him is more than just the music: it’s a walk down memory lane. And as the man took a break from music, I took a break from that connection. Ted Leo has...

If you were to ask me to name one artist that is at the forefront of punk rock, I’d have to say Jeff Rosenstock. It’s not just that he makes fresh, interesting, relevant, progressive pop punk, it’s also that his whole approach to making music is commendable. The man puts out his music for free, for God’s sake. And even though at times his music seems to be getting ahead of itself, there’s no denying there’s something...

WHO: The Monsieurs WHAT: Deux WHY: Deux is the long awaited sophomore release from these Bostonians. It’s gritty, raw, loud, and kicks like a mule. Deux ups the ante for these garage rockers and is a testament to the fact that this New England city has got the goods. I pity anyone who hasn’t heard this album. Be forewarned: it might be too much for you to handle. Check them out on...

Myers+Chang at Home: Recipes from the Beloved Boston Eatery by Joanne Chang & Karen Akunowicz One of the joys of living in Boston is that it’s exposed me to the wonderful cooking of Joanne Chang. She’s reached almost superstar status with her flagship Myers + Chang restaurant in the South End: a spot my wife and I cannot seem to get enough of. It’s a must-go especially on Mondays and Tuesdays when they have their date nights and their tasting...

Photos by Greg Scranton, M.F.A. gregscranton.com surviving the golden age...

There is no doubt that the Oh Sees (formerly Thee Oh Sees, and now actually just OCs) are an unstoppable force. Releasing what seems like their 40th album this year and another one already announced, it’s important sometimes to step back and assess what you’re getting with this band because their catalog can easily meld together into a metropolis of music. With all this published material, what would front man John Dwyer choose to highlight in a live set? The...