I don’t cry when people I don’t know die. Waking up to the death of Pete Seeger makes me cry. As mean and stupid a place as the United States has become, it’s smarter and kinder for Pete Seeger having fought the good fight for the last 70 years. If you don’t know much about […]
Kent Williams
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Reviews: The Post Mortems – Cracked and Crooked
I recently reviewed a new record from Acoustic Guillotine, who, like The Post Mortems, comprise a drummer and bassist. The Post Mortems don’t sound at all like Acoustic Guillotine; apparently even the most stripped-down of instrumentation contains many possibilities. The Post Mortems’ sound is defined by a clean bass tone and tom-heavy drums. They remind me a bit of Soundgarden: Devin Alexander’s voice has some of Chris Cornell’s operatic…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The death of Tom Laughlin (1931-2013)
In the same week as Peter O’Toole and Joan Fontaine, writer/actor/director Tom Laughlin has died. The difference between Laughlin and the others — aside from the fact that they were better actors — is that he was more a man on a mission than someone chasing fame and celebrity. He was committed to the ideals […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Reviews: Buffalows – Woe Isn’t Me
Buffalows is Landon Strause, Brooks Strause and Adam Bolts. The Brothers Strause are best known for the formidable Old Scratch Revival Singers, a very freaky, psychedelic take on old time gospel revival. Buffalows has a simpler sound, centered in old-timey country music. I’m not sure who writes the songs, but I hear some of Brooks’ infallible roots-pop ear for melody. The simple acoustic (except for pedal steel guitar) arrangements and close harmony serve the songs well.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Local artist Dana T unveils ‘Show Preview Show’: Hard-di-Har and friends to play PS1 this weekend
Har-di-Har are a charming pair of musicians who write and perform their intricately worked songs, kind of like an acoustic Radiohead with a more attractive lead…
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This Friday: Thin Hymns, Giant Question Mark and Bryn Love at the Trumpet Blossom
Trumpet Blossom Cafe has established its bona fides as a vegan foodie destination, but has stealthily become one of Iowa City’s most interesting music venues…
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Reviews: Contraption – I
Contraption is Joe McNertney and Eric Rohn (a.k.a. The Noble Octopus), who have blazed their own wayward musical paths over the past few years, self-releasing their slanted pop music. They’re a pair of Iowa Citians for whom music is an avocation, pursued when time can be stolen away from day jobs and family obligations.
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Acoustic Guillotine – Hurry Up and Finish Dying/Raw Meat and Gunpowder 7″
Billy Mackenzie and Peter Rohrbough of Acoustic Guillotine have been contributing members of the Iowa City rock scene for close to 30 years. Their 2011 self-titled…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Acoustic Guillotine to host record release party at the Trumpet Blossom Cafe Saturday
Any Acoustic Guillotine show is worth attending strictly for their unique brand of stripped down metal. Billy Mackenzie’s trademark giant bass cabinet and Pete…
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Daniel Boscaljon’s new book asks readers to take another look at faith
As someone who has not successfully read any works of philosophy — not made it past the preface in most cases — my motivation to read Vigilant Faith came…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The Envy Corps swing into Iowa City this Thursday
Those jokers at Raygunsite.com used to sell a T-Shirt, designed in collaboration with the band, that says “The Envy Corps: Radiohead For Coldplay Fans.” So they’ve spoiled the main insight any music critic would bring to bear in describing their music. There’s no denying that these guys sound quite a bit like Radiohead. The best way
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Dana T – abbr. relation
Dana T abbr. relation danatelsrow.bandcamp.com Dana Telsrow is a guy who recently graduated from the University of Iowa and works at Public Access TV. Over the summer he was ps•z’s first artist in residence. He’s also a composer and songwriter, and took classes in the university’s music department. abbr. relation is a four song concept […]
