tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347795072011-11-27T19:51:38.075-05:00Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.comBlogger1131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-1862683509515853172011-04-04T19:57:00.000-05:002011-04-04T19:57:58.536-05:00

About this time two years ago, Seattle grunge champions Pearl Jam remastered and put out an excellent deluxe edition of its first album, Ten, complete with a DVD featuring the band's immensely popular MTV Unplugged set. As of this week, as part of the ongoing celebration of Pearl Jam's 20th anniversary, Epic Records and Legacy Recordings are putting out remastered editions of the quintet's

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-10834382048421231912011-02-16T11:43:00.000-05:002011-02-16T11:43:32.315-05:00

For the most part this season, every other time the Boston Celtics had its depth tested (due to injuries), someone has stepped up and shined. Sixth man of the year Glen Davis in particular stands out. In Sunday's 85-82 win over the Miami Heat, it was his 16 points, along with Von Wafer's 10 points and energy that proved huge in a game that saw a sick and sore Paul Pierce register just one point.

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-62398896481768826982010-12-08T13:48:00.000-05:002010-12-08T13:48:38.656-05:00

Hyped as the Super Bowl of the regular season, Monday night's matchup of the best two teams in the AFC turned into a landslide victory for the home team New England Patriots over the visiting New York Jets, 45-3. The shellacking evened the season series at 1-1, kept New England undefeated at home (6-0) and more importantly, earned itself first place outright in the AFC East with a 10-2 record,

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-40376073590918149522010-12-05T12:34:00.000-05:002010-12-05T12:34:39.211-05:00

Never has an NFL head coach who has accomplished so little run his mouth so much like Rex Ryan of the New York Jets has in the past year or so. And all you can do is just chuckle. From proclaiming he wouldn't kiss AFC East rival Bill Belichick's rings, to saying his team should be favorites to win last season's Super Bowl (which the Jets didn't appear in), and that all the "experts" say the

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-3563780478005976292010-11-23T18:03:00.001-05:002010-11-23T18:04:53.786-05:00

Last offseason, the Red Sox front office lost Jason Bay to free agency largely due to phantom health concerns. This year's free agency period is still young but today, according to a few media outlets, they lost free agent Victor Martinez to the Detroit Tigers. Needless to say, this is a major loss for Boston. I was hoping this was not going to happen but saw it coming a long time ago, which is

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-50912087919075831812010-11-18T01:54:00.000-05:002010-11-18T01:54:32.117-05:00

Former NHL defenseman, head coach, and for the past 12 years, Director of Hockey Operations and chief NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell is in hot water this week. Former NHL official Dean Warren has filed a complaint against his termination to the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and he believes Campbell had a lot to do with it. Angry emails by Campbell to other NHL executives are starting to be

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-53016272831046425912010-11-16T16:42:00.002-05:002010-11-16T16:46:03.813-05:00

You are lying to yourself if you call yourself a Patriots fan and seriously saw this one coming. Yes, Tom Brady is now 6-1 in his last seven games against the Steelers (playoffs included). But after the previous week's pathetic performance against Eric Mangini's Cleveland Browns, a 39-26 New England blowout win against one of the best AFC teams is hardly what anyone expected. In fact, I

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-27784191427885661552010-11-12T14:47:00.002-05:002010-11-12T14:48:43.536-05:00

Far removed from its early days of prime R.E.M. and Pavement-like melodicism mixed with loud, Nirvana and Fugazi-inspired rock, Scotland’s Idlewild is a band in transition. For most of its 15 years, it was on a record label—Parlophone/EMI for a majority of them—and released five albums, including its 2000 breakout (second full-length) release, 100 Broken Windows, which SPIN called the “

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-33079250904834943582010-11-01T17:27:00.002-05:002010-11-01T17:31:25.033-05:00

There was no shortage of hoopla surrounding yesterday's much anticipated New England Patriots-Minnesota Vikings game at Gillette Stadium. It was supposed to be focused on Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss coming back to the team he was traded from just a few weeks ago. Instead, it was all about the notorious Brett Favre. Given the 40-year-old's mounting injuries, will he play against the

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-48084231937944593712010-10-29T13:25:00.001-05:002010-10-29T13:25:18.152-05:00

It was only a matter of time before one of the most popular shows on the CW Television Network got its own soundtrack. Much like other teen-centered TV dramas of the past, like Fox's The O.C. and other vampire-minded hit shows like HBO's True Blood, Vampire Diaries (which airs Thursday nights on CW) is trying to capitalize on its hit show with a hit soundtrack. And it was a bloody good

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-29978882058544672072010-10-22T17:37:00.000-05:002010-10-22T17:37:13.740-05:00

Arizona's alternative rock/power pop legends Jimmy Eat World do not make throwaway albums. They are one of those bands who always records more repeat-worthy songs than not, but who set a new standard in rock that is so high, any future records will be judged by it for as long as they keep making them. 1999's Clarity is the group's masterpiece and always will be, as songs like "Crush" and "

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-19354545436081653242010-10-19T15:12:00.001-05:002010-10-19T15:14:57.414-05:00

It was an improbable 23-20 victory for the Patriots last Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. The defense of the home team was supposed to be inferior to Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens big defense. After all, this was the same Baltimore team that convincingly eliminated them from last year's playoffs in a blowout in this very stadium, which had previously never happened in the Tom

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-85038627847157760252010-10-06T00:18:00.003-05:002010-10-06T00:38:26.440-05:00

For only the second time in Sox general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona's tenures, there will be no playoff baseball in Boston this year. Like 2006, they finish the season in third place in the AL East, and for similar reasons to that fateful season can blame it largely on a rash of injuries to key players, along with a mostly lousy bullpen (that Epstein did nothing significant to

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-89495728445808260322010-09-22T21:21:00.000-05:002010-09-22T21:21:03.706-05:00

Maryland-based hard rock quartet Clutch is and always has been without question one of the hardest working bands in the music business in the 20 years they’ve been together. They have nine studio albums out, along with some official and unofficial live releases, and a couple of DVDs. The group also performs at least 100 times per year on average, and that includes sets by their instrumental side

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-40177618384250116412010-09-10T12:30:00.000-05:002010-09-10T12:30:39.171-05:00

Between Megadeth lead singer/guitarist Dave Mustaine's recently released memoir, lead guitarist Chris Broderick's Guitar World columns, and another mammoth world tour by the band itself, fans have certainly had some golden opportunities to get their fill of the heavy metal titans this year. The original 22-show long North American leg of the 2010 Megadeth World Tour in March provided a special

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-9207926233602922202010-08-29T18:33:00.000-05:002010-08-29T18:33:10.490-05:00

It wasn’t too long ago that Boston Red Sox (first time) All-Star pitcher Clay Buchholz was trade bait. In fact, he was once one of the key ingredients to any number of possible trades in recent years (one of which allegedly included a deal to send him and others to San Diego for Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez last offseason). The righty was also not guaranteed a spot in Boston’s starting

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-30300508530303471532010-08-24T13:56:00.000-05:002010-08-24T13:56:45.090-05:00

Yesterday, while the Red Sox won and beat Seattle to pull within 5.5 games of both the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East and AL Wild Card leads, GM Theo Epstein claimed Detroit Tigers outfielder Johnny Damon off waivers. The teams are now in the middle of a 48-hour window to work out a deal. Right now, Damon has a no-trade clause in his contract and is leaning towards staying

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-30913022734278232022010-08-18T16:43:00.003-05:002010-08-18T16:47:49.855-05:00

Thanks to an early season collision with teammate and human freight train Adrian Beltre, a controversial diagnosis by team doctors of the five broken ribs suffered from it, and a re-injured or newly fractured rib suffered in last Friday night's game in Texas, speedy outfielder and Red Sox leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury is back on the DL for a third time. Now, sources say his 2010 season is in

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-21195255189504766192010-08-17T14:07:00.003-05:002010-08-17T14:24:38.913-05:00

Tom Morello has been a busy man in the 10 years since rap rock heroes Rage Against The Machine went its separate ways. The first half he spent using his big-sounding guitars to rock the hugely successful hard rock supergroup Audioslave, with Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell as frontman and his fellow ex-RATM rhythm section members Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk on bass and drums, respectively. A few

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-66412954066518051612010-08-07T17:25:00.000-05:002010-08-07T17:25:15.436-05:00

As usual, a lot has happened in Red Sox Nation since last I wrote – some good, some bad, and in one case, very bad. On Tuesday, August 3, before the second of four games against the lowly Cleveland Indians, Mike Lowell was activated from the DL and put in the starting lineup. That’s the good news. The bad? First baseman Kevin Youkilis was placed on the DL and is now done for the year with a torn

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-43864621215666099402010-08-06T23:29:00.000-05:002010-08-06T23:29:23.410-05:00

Portland, Oregon-born, North Carolina-based singer/songwriter Jon Lindsay has been musically active since the ripe old age of three. But for the past 10 or so years, he has performed all over the U.S., fronting the likes of The Young Sons, Catch Fire and Carlisle, and also performed solo or toured as a multi-instrumentalist/singer with the renowned Brooklyn-based folk/alternative vocalist Nicole

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-65435071159457764622010-07-29T18:02:00.000-05:002010-07-29T18:02:27.468-05:00

Every time the Red Sox seem to be on the verge of collapse, they somehow, some way pull off some big wins to keep from falling impossibly far behind a playoff spot – they are currently 5.5 games behind Tampa Bay for the AL Wild Card. With a ton of games coming up, more regulars coming back from injuries, and very little time off, it was crucial that Boston get hot again. An Unlikely But Clean

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-3130242484492700362010-07-19T22:16:00.000-05:002010-07-19T22:16:31.686-05:00

Note: This column took a much-needed week off during All-Star week In the last five seasons, the Red Sox entered the All-Star break in first place in the AL East. In 2010, the injury-saddled Sox not only couldn’t continue that streak but went into the break in third place for the first time since 2000 after going 2-4 in its last six games of the first half. The only real highlight in that

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-80007403908921578402010-07-19T14:03:00.000-05:002010-07-19T14:03:41.118-05:00

This is a short excerpt of my latest review. See link at the end for the full article. Continuing R.E.M.'s recent string of reissuing classic albums from its earliest years, this week marked the reissue and 25th anniversary of the Athens, Georgia group's sometimes overlooked third outing, Fables of the Reconstruction. It is now out as a two-CD collection with all original tracks remastered on

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-39994597126487481612010-07-06T17:26:00.001-05:002010-07-06T17:27:57.248-05:00

The Red Sox lost last night 6-5 at the Trop to Tampa Bay and as a result, its place atop the AL Wild Card standings and now sit in second in that playoff chase. Worse, the BoSox now sit in third place in the AL East for the first time since June 26, when they were percentage points behind the Rays for second place, and have fallen to two-and-a-half games back of AL East-leading New York. The

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-21721558822491161872010-06-29T18:07:00.000-05:002010-06-29T18:07:28.392-05:00

In last week’s "Dead Red" column, I predicted the Red Sox could be reasonably expected to go 3-3 in their six-game road trip to Coors Field and San Francisco, where they would face some of the best pitchers in the National League (namely Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez and Giants ace Tim Lincecum). And that is exactly what they did. How the hometown team managed to win these games and overtake the

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-58155989874232617382010-06-22T23:10:00.000-05:002010-06-22T23:10:01.442-05:00

Not many outside the Red Sox clubhouse and front office had the outright confidence that the Boston Red Sox offense would be as lethal as it has been so far in 2010. It is simply hands down the best in all of baseball right now – and I expected them to be towards the lower end of a top five offensive team in 2010. The team numbers themselves are staggering. Through June 21, the Sox ranked first

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-73808719611988024252010-06-15T20:12:00.000-05:002010-06-15T20:12:18.107-05:00

This week in Dead Red: Tim Wakefield passed a milestone, Dustin Pedroia is hitting again, the Sox unveiled a statue of Red Sox legends outside Fenway Park, and Sox catcher Victor Martinez remained hot at the plate. But first, following in the footsteps of Darnell “Mac” McDonald, another Triple-A call-up made an unexpected but explosive debut over the weekend. I say Daniel Nava. You say, "who?"

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-91672696006697976232010-06-15T17:17:00.000-05:002010-06-15T17:17:57.187-05:00

Long before the Blink 182s and emo-minded bands of the world took pop punk to the mainstream, San Francisco group Jawbreaker created a hardcore-influenced yet melodic, often times emotional and dark punk rock sound with an infectious pop edge that was way ahead of its time. They made influential records – four of them in five years between 1990 and 1995 - and did so without the help or need of

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-28324947585446907292010-06-15T17:11:00.001-05:002010-06-15T17:18:28.709-05:00

In the nine years that have passed since last we heard from recently reunited arena alt-rock giants Stone Temple Pilots, all four original members have kept themselves busy. Singer Scott Weiland had a successful run as singer for supergroup Velvet Revolver (featuring members of Guns N’ Roses) for two albums and released his second solo record (in 2008), while the DeLeo brothers (guitarist Dean

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-74000993770613694492010-06-07T20:14:00.000-05:002010-06-07T20:14:19.907-05:00

With series wins at home versus the Oakland Athletics and on the road in Baltimore, the red hot Red Sox have now gone seven series in a row without losing one, dating back to losing two of three in Detroit in mid-May. They have won 11 of their past 15 games and are now tied with Toronto for third in the AL East with identical 33-25 records, which at a .569 winning percentage is also good for

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-89792608671620701152010-06-01T20:11:00.001-05:002010-06-01T20:13:12.330-05:00

First published earlier this evening at Blogcritics Magazine. Run Prevention, Meet Run Explosion The Red Sox came into Tropicana Field last Monday 8.5 games behind the American League East-leading Rays. Needless to say, this was a crucial three-game series for Boston’s chances of staying in the hunt for the division title and needed to play at its best. Simply put, Mission Accomplished. Last

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-36875535183538894452010-05-29T11:09:00.000-05:002010-05-29T11:09:54.461-05:00

This was first published earlier today by Blogcritics Magazine. In the year 2000, the Smashing Pumpkins gave away what was then their final album before breaking up - the impressive 25-track Machina II - for free on the Internet as both a thank you to longtime fans and an F-bomb to the record label business. This was years before Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, and some lesser known artists would

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-18960820822964294232010-05-27T13:08:00.001-05:002010-05-27T13:11:17.228-05:00

Lead singer and guitarist Ben Bridwell and his Seattle-born, now South Carolina-based, quintet Band of Horses has made a big transition in recent years. Not too long ago, they were underground stars with two successful albums out on Sub Pop (2006’s debut Everything All The Time and 2007’s Cease To Begin). Now, the group is signed to Columbia Records (with smaller imprints Brown and Fat Possum

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-5030202211526593782010-05-26T00:11:00.000-05:002010-05-26T00:11:10.536-05:00

Note: This excerpt is from my weekly Red Sox "Dead Red" column, first published May 24 at BC Magazine. It is a bit out of date, I know but it's a good read, nonetheless. Red Sox record for the week of May 17-23: 5-2 It was a wild week of baseball for the BoSox, to say the least. With road trips to three different stadiums in New York, Minnesota, and Pennsylanvia in the previous seven days, Sox

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-49318804139144102532010-05-23T00:34:00.000-05:002010-05-23T00:34:41.186-05:00

This review was first published yesterday, May 22 at Blogcritics Magazine. This is just a short excerpt from it. It’s become an increasingly popular trend over the past few years for veteran rock acts to give loyal fans the special live treat of playing a complete beloved album of theirs in its entirety live, and then some. 311, The Pixies, Judas Priest, Bruce Springsteen, the Lemonheads, and

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-43834336719378683282010-05-23T00:19:00.001-05:002010-05-23T00:20:28.614-05:00

This write-up was first published May 21 at Blogcritics Magazine. The following is an excerpt from it. Mary Lynn Rajskub has been on a roll these last 15 years, appearing in such notable shows and movies as Mr. Show, Veronica’s Closet, The Larry Sanders Show, and Legally Blonde 2, among many others. But no role has done more for her career and increased her popularity than her long tenure as

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-90522045600535887272010-05-17T22:44:00.000-05:002010-05-17T22:44:15.456-05:00

Note: This article was first published late this afternoon, before tonight's Sox-Yankees game, at Blogcritics Magazine. The following is a short excerpt from it. In this edition of "Dead Red," I take a quick look at the week that was in Red Sox Nation, note some highlights, lowlights and Sox rehab developments, and wrap it all up with my take on the current state of the Sox. Last week the

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-2422114710029539322010-05-11T12:11:00.000-05:002010-05-11T12:11:43.140-05:00

The following post appeared at Blogcritics Magazine yesterday, May 10, 2010. It's title has been changed for this post The following is an excerpt. The Return of Nomar Garciaparra On Cinco de Mayo, the Red Sox brought forever Sox fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra (who is of Mexican descent) back to Fenway to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Sox and Georgia Tech teammate Jason

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-58358661851558777122010-05-11T11:59:00.002-05:002010-05-11T12:02:39.080-05:00

The following post was first posted yesterday as part of my weekly "Dead Red" Red Sox column at Blogcritics Magazine. The following is an excerpt. Red Sox record for the Week of May 3-9: 5-2. Overall: 16-16, 4th place AL East To start week five of the 2010 season and a 10-game homestand, the Boston Red Sox held a quick pregame team meeting led by manager Terry Francona that served to refocus

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-4221288984820590912010-05-11T11:05:00.002-05:002010-05-11T11:30:03.827-05:00

These still-underground Seattle superstars love Boston. They love it enough to celebrate the release of their fourth album OMNI not in their home state but here in the heart of Boston. First, they played an in-store acoustic band show (about three or so songs from the new album) at the famed Newbury Comics store on Newbury Street on Tuesday, May 4th. Afterwards, they stayed around to sign

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-32870342363354006322010-05-05T11:43:00.001-05:002010-05-05T11:46:38.482-05:00

The following is a short excerpt from my most recent weekly Boston Red Sox column, published at Blogcritics Magazine on May 3, 2010 Red Sox Record for the Week of April 26-May 2: 3-3 In my last column, I stated that the Boston Red Sox needed to go at least 4-2 to move up in the AL East standings. After starting their six-game road trip by sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in three matchups to get

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-84375417888773249962010-05-05T11:39:00.001-05:002010-05-05T11:45:36.211-05:00

The following is an excerpt from my most recent music review, which was posted at the site of Blogcritics Magazine on May 2, 2010 It’s been nearly 40 years since the most revolutionary guitarist of all time, Jimi Hendrix, passed away. With three landmark studio albums to his name, plus gems of unreleased material left behind, making a proper posthumous studio album with the latter has always

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-57827644183701264862010-04-28T22:41:00.001-05:002010-04-28T22:41:38.944-05:00

This edition of my "Dead Red" Boston Red Sox column was published first at Blogcritics 4/27/10 In The News Last night (Monday), the Red Sox survived Josh Beckett’s worst start of the young season to win 13-12 in Toronto in a wild but exciting game. (More on that game in next week’s Dead Red.) Elsewhere, the Sox called up LHP Fabio Castro from the PawSox to help the back of its beleaguered

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-48043091768969987462010-04-16T19:13:00.000-05:002010-04-16T19:13:42.568-05:00

The Whigs, a trio hailing from the same hometown as R.E.M. (Athens, Georgia), has made lots of noise over the past couple of years, and not just from its loud guitars and thunderous skins. Where debut album Give ‘Em All A Big Fat Lip (2005) introduced them to the world as a promising young band that Rolling Stone named one of “Ten Artists to Watch” in 2006, sophomore release Mission Control in

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-87028446475819351022010-03-14T22:24:00.000-05:002010-03-14T22:24:34.754-05:00

Published first March 10, 2010 via Blogcritics Magazine Fans of the glory days of ‘70s hard rock may remember guitar maestro Gary Moore via his three stints with his childhood friend (the late) Phil Lynott’s beloved Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy. There, he made his name as a guitar virtuoso before going on his own in the 1980s, when he continued to be a hit with the hard rock/metal community,

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-8114257988674393152010-02-15T15:00:00.000-05:002010-02-15T15:00:39.415-05:00

Published earlier today first at Blogcritics Magazine For over five years, progressive and jazz-minded psychedelic post-rockers Motion Turns It On (Chocolate Lab Records) have been developing a tight, yet free form sound they can call their own. In 2007 the then all-instrumental band released its impressive debut six-song Rima EP, and a live record, Live At The Southpaw, followed early the next

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-48783395190139771352010-01-30T11:53:00.000-05:002010-01-30T11:53:45.600-05:00

Published first at Blogcritics January 28, 2010 Donald S. Passman is a popular, well-respected entertainment lawyer throughout the music industry, having garnered praise from the likes of Jimmy Iovine, American Idol judge Randy Jackson and producer Rick Rubin, among others, and whose many clients over the years include Green Day, Quincy Jones, Tom Waits and Pink. Late last year, he published

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-15855382554397473062010-01-30T11:42:00.000-05:002010-01-30T11:42:09.409-05:00

Published first January 27, 2010 at the site of Blogcritics Magazine Continuing where Part I left off, this list is shorter but no less eclectic. You’ll see a little post-punk (Elefant), reggae (Ziggy Marley, Matisyahu), melodic death metal (Into Eternity), hip-hop (Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Beck), indie folk (Bright Eyes), and so much more on this list of the last 89 of my 209 favorite

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-60691302150928030872010-01-30T11:27:00.001-05:002010-01-30T11:29:45.443-05:00

Published originally on January 26, 2010 in Blogcritics Magazine As one would imagine, this was a bit of a hefty project, coming up with a ridiculous amount of music from 10 years gone by and putting it on a digestible list. I don’t know if I actually accomplished that goal, but after dividing it into two parts (2000-2004 and 2005-2009), it does look impressive, if I don’t say so myself. 2000-

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-77581169219328483012010-01-30T11:05:00.001-05:002010-01-30T11:17:56.421-05:00

Link to original Blogcritics Magazine article is HERE After years of reading respectable music magazines (PASTE, SPIN, Rolling Stone), and online sites (Pitchfork) and their year-end so-called "best of" lists, I've realized that they never truly reflect more than 40-50% - if that - of the music I dug in a given year. It's become an almost completely useless exercise for me. Now if you're

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-28825783082088230262009-12-15T14:02:00.001-05:002009-12-15T14:04:16.973-05:00

Tuesday, December 15 marks the release of new music by John Lennon's son Julian for the first time in 11 years with the release of the Lucy EP. The back story of the four-track EP goes back as far as The Beatles' legendary Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band record and as recently as a couple of months ago. The song "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" was recorded by John Lennon for Pepper's upon

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-11796801236806893312009-12-14T15:53:00.000-05:002009-12-14T15:53:24.960-05:00

Posted at Blogcritics December 9, 2009 Steve Buckley has been a sportswriter for 30 years, the last 15 for the Boston Herald, and has also been a frequent face on local TV and radio sports talk shows in Boston, MA, and author of several books, the latest of which is called Wicked Good Year. Chronicling the highly successful 2007-2008 seasons of the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and New England

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-55388190501275089212009-11-07T11:42:00.004-05:002009-11-07T11:49:54.055-05:00

Rock ‘til you drop. Or at least until you can’t do it anymore. For B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Daltrey and so many other active icons of rock and blues circuits, those are words to live by. And 35 years after influential NYC quartet Kiss came on the scene with its self-titled debut and immediate follow-up Hotter Than Hell, they too are back touring the world and

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-83512986457373193352009-11-02T07:45:00.009-05:002009-11-02T08:44:11.171-05:00

I had originally planned on doing a comparative summary of the worst political gaffes ever made by ex-president George W. Bush and current vice president Joe Biden for Suite101.com. It would've been a Bushisms v. Bidenisms type of piece. But that article ran WAY too long, to the point of becoming nearly unreadable. Therefore, I put together two distinct Top 10 compilations of Bush and Biden's

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-12203684342234404292009-10-29T16:24:00.004-05:002009-11-02T08:18:02.130-05:00

Published originally by Blogcritics Magazine October 22, 2009English songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Imogen Heap is a one-woman machine. For over 11 years, she has made a distinctive brand of music that is a mix of electronica, experimentalism, electro-pop, and rock. Sound-wise and vocally, her songs range from the dramatic to the majestic, and contain hints of everyone from Kate

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-19323170865686882512009-10-15T18:28:00.003-05:002009-11-02T08:21:56.847-05:00

Radiohead is such a powerful and insanely creative force that in 18 years of recording, it has not and probably can not repeat itself from album to album if it tried. Even if its much hailed early 2000s works Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001) shared a common theme of experimentalism, almost every song was a new revelation. The same was true for the recently reissued follow-up to Amnesiac, 2003’s

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-20393632628144745292009-10-15T17:56:00.014-05:002009-10-15T18:29:24.981-05:00

Note: Originally published September 5, 2009 in Blogcritics Magazine as part of my "Dead Red" weekly Boston Red Sox columnThe Boston Red Sox may have their share of pricey free agents on its roster, but from Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury to Jonathan Papelbon and Manny Delcarmen, a growing amount of essential players are in fact, homegrown. This season, especially has seen a plethora of

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-62750014304642667942009-10-15T17:56:00.013-05:002009-10-15T18:28:31.203-05:00

Though largely underappreciated by the States for much of its career, British rock quartet Blur was one of the biggest and most versatile bands the UK produced in the 1990s and into the current decade before going on hiatus in 2003. With seven studio albums to its name over a 12-year span, plus a best-of album that was released three years before its last LP, 2003’s Think Tank, there has yet to

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-67376436229448655542009-10-15T17:56:00.008-05:002009-10-15T18:18:41.927-05:00

Note: Published originally 8/20/09 in Blogcritics MagazineSan Francisco’s The New Up is a quintet of alt-rock rockers that have quickly made a big impression on the indie rock world. Having recorded three EPs worth of music in 2008 - because albums are so yesterday – and releasing Broken Machine, the first of them last year and second one Better Off this week, the female-fronted group was

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-74986489662780104182009-10-15T17:56:00.004-05:002009-10-15T18:12:04.533-05:00

Ill Communication took on a whole new meaning when Adam Yauch (aka MCA) announced through a Youtube video post July 20 that he had a form of throat cancer that is localized in one area in the neck but which miraculously doesn’t affect his voice and is “very treatable.” As a result, the Beasties have postponed all concert dates as well as the release of new album Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 1 until

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-5518679254036826132009-10-15T17:56:00.001-05:002009-10-15T18:05:02.696-05:00

Note: Originally published in Blogcritics MagazineWhether it’s the Whammy pedal or the GNX 3000, Digitech has a long history of designing quality floor pedals and boards, particularly ones that help take a guitarist’s sound to unforeseen levels (think Tom Morello). And while Digitech’s invention, the HarmonyMan carries over certain characteristics of Whammy pedals of old, this bright red box is a

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-53801512956060241632009-06-28T06:57:00.003-05:002009-06-28T07:19:41.548-05:00

Please note that this review was initially posted on the website of Blogcritics Magazine 5/27/09After touring their collective butts off for over three years behind debut EP Pikul (2005) and the ensuing debut record Carnavas (2006), Los Angeles foursome Silversun Pickups found themselves being rewarded with critical praise, a couple of hit singles and an expanding fan base drawn to its rocking

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-5455090513432142612009-06-28T06:22:00.002-05:002009-06-28T06:56:49.684-05:00

Note: Yeah, I've been neglecting my blog while attending to other duties. Unfortunately, it happens. But now, here's my Royksopp review originally published in Blogcritics Magazine 5/20/09It is hard to believe four years have passed since Royksopp dropped their second LP The Understanding to the masses and that it’s been eight years since the native Norwegians graced the world stage with the

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-62597756512442068812009-05-31T20:06:00.004-05:002009-05-31T20:39:32.793-05:00

Posted originally on the Blogcritics web site 5/15/09Fountains of Wayne/Ivy co-founder and bassist Adam Schlesinger and ex-Smashing Pumpkins/A Perfect Circle guitarist James Iha may have started out on different paths along the alt-rock spectrum, but since the mid-1990s these two well-respected musicians and producers have been close friends and collaborators.In addition to co-founding the

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-28018231538435368002009-05-31T18:05:00.005-05:002009-05-31T20:06:23.242-05:00

I realize this is my first political-related blog entry in a long time. But the following just made me mad enough to write about and ask accountability for (even if it has a faint chance of actually happening).First, over the weekend the conservative Weekly Standard writer Michael Goldfarb was proven dead wrong in a blog post about Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor teaching and grading her

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-39716991850961787582009-05-13T18:24:00.005-05:002009-05-13T18:34:51.976-05:00

Note: First posted on the recently face-lifted Blogcritics Magazine site on 5/10/09Twenty years after its initial release, the Beastie Boys’ second full-length Paul’s Boutique stands tall as the trio’s most diverse, fun and innovative album of its career. Around late January/early February, the group, via its website gave it new life as it released a remastered version on vinyl and eco-friendly

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-25712466982102312002009-05-05T12:12:00.002-05:002009-05-05T12:24:02.910-05:00

Originally posted on the NEWLY revamped website of Blogcritics Magazine on 5/1/09Industrial music has been underground for most of its three decades of existence. And the artists who inhabit it would love for it to stay that way. But sometimes a musical genre contains a break out artist who can simultaneously reinvent, revitalize and reel in hundreds of thousands of new fans into it. For

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-84644730556814030962009-05-05T11:58:00.003-05:002009-05-05T12:12:19.399-05:00

Originally posted on the NEWLY redesigned Blogcritics Magazine website 4/19/09New York’s veteran aces of power pop Fountains of Wayne have been putting out records for thirteen years, but this spring saw the release of its first ever live DVD, entitled No Better Place: Live In Chicago. In fact, it was released within days of its short east coast winter tour that started in January and finished

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-10777898265257432622009-04-16T14:51:00.002-05:002009-04-16T14:59:38.839-05:00

Originally posted at Blogcritics 4/6/09“Go and get your things now/We’re going for a ride,” says Wild Light on “Call Home,” one of many merry poppy tracks from this New Hampshire-by-way-of-Quincy, MA quartet’s debut album Adult Nights (StarTime International/Columbia). It is a trip indeed, through two decades of anthemic, jangle-ish and folky indie rock that is as nostalgic as it is

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-50400809373776798592009-04-16T14:41:00.003-05:002009-04-16T14:56:45.484-05:00

Originally posted at the Blogcritics site 3/25/09Believe it or not, albums that came out in the last year are still finding my inbox, mailbox and CD player. You could say 2008 is the year that keeps on giving us great music. But with the first quarter of 2009 about to close, at some point you have to come to an end point on the year that was if the intention is to make a list of your favorites.

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-16717765624643791402009-03-13T09:10:00.002-05:002009-03-13T09:27:43.378-05:00

Originally posted on Blogcritics 3-9-09After a brief run on the Internet in 2006, famed producer Nigel Godrich presented a brand new performance-based program, in 2007 in the U.K. and in 2008 in the U.S., showcasing recording artists you're likely very much familiar with, as well as rising stars in the alternative folk and rock scenes from across the globe. The series, named From The Basement,

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-26089900122180317992009-01-24T20:36:00.005-05:002009-02-05T16:31:29.145-05:00

Note: First posted on Blogcritics.org 1/8/09Legendary British rock icons Judas Priest are still hard at work, four decades on into their storied career. After releasing an ambitious, underrated double album, Nostradamus and touring behind it in 25 countries, the band’s gifted and self-proclaimed “Metal God,” singer Rob Halford found over 37 minutes of his time to talk to me on behalf of

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-83356331571704817672008-12-23T14:27:00.002-05:002008-12-23T14:43:15.636-05:00

The Verve was without question one of the best British rock groups of the 1990s. But they broke up in 1999 after ten years together and after the most successful period of its career. Singer Richard Ashcroft then launched a mildly successful solo career in the early 2000s.Now, nearly ten years later, the band is back together and has made Forth (On Your Own Records), a comeback album that, though

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-71151026563462214052008-12-23T14:08:00.003-05:002008-12-23T14:43:56.399-05:00

At the London Coliseum on December 14, 1969 and at the Gaumont State Theater in Kilburn, North London, England on December 15, 1977, the other famous Fab Four from the original British Invasion era, known simply as The Who, performed two legendary shows for the ages, ones that weren’t digitally restored and remastered until this year.Known as The Who – Live At Kilburn 1977, this DVD was released

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-77352551070503630062008-12-12T13:46:00.003-05:002008-12-15T21:33:53.912-05:00

Note: First published on Blogcritics.org this morningThe recent commotion over whether or not Coldplay ripped off guitar whiz Joe Satriani is nothing less than surprising and mystifying. My bewilderment has nothing to do with Coldplay however, but with Satriani, the guitar teacher-turned instrumental rock god.Last week, after months of not hearing back from Coldplay (who are in the midst of a

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-35297954272491484412008-09-22T17:16:00.002-05:002008-09-22T17:36:12.482-05:00

Yes, I know it's been a long time since I last posted here - a bit of laziness on my part. But this review (and DVD) is well worth checking out.Since 1991, Maryland metal and “stoner rock” band Clutch has built a loyal, nationwide following that dubs themselves “gearheads,” and played sold-out shows in prestigious clubs and arenas throughout the country for years. Thus, they are known as a great

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-69100913324259481902008-07-06T16:47:00.002-05:002008-07-06T16:53:24.386-05:00

Note: This article was first posted on Blogcritics.org on 6/26/08.It's hard to believe that nine years have passed since Richard Patrick and Filter recorded the near-masterpiece Title Of Record, which, other than following up their excellent 1995 debut CD Short Bus spawned top hits like the dreamy "Take A Picture" and the heavy-hitting "Welcome To The Fold."Filter did release one album between

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-26630209061661302372008-05-20T13:12:00.003-05:002008-05-20T13:52:46.090-05:00

New York City never seems to stop churning out up-and-coming bands these days. And with Baskervilles, the trend continues. The band released its self-titled debut in 2004 (on Secret Crush Records) and its follow-up, Twilight hits stores the first week of June. A preview track, courtesy of 1-Up PR, is below.Baskervilles - "Caught In A Crosswalk" (MP3)This summery, indie guitar pop ditty

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-32188729581385637212008-03-28T00:02:00.001-05:002008-03-28T00:04:17.858-05:00

On the 3/27/08 edition of CNN's AC360, host Anderson Cooper and reporter Candy Crowley did not do their homework on democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (and I let Cooper know that on his blog too). Cooper simply reported that he was the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate for 2007, according to National Journal. He never went into why that rating is misleading or just outright BS,

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-82398336246250307152008-03-02T23:36:00.002-05:002008-03-03T00:32:19.844-05:00

On last night's edition of Geraldo Rivera's show Geraldo At Large on Fox News, during New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's comments about the Democratic race for president, the Fox News screen labeled him (R-NM). This wouldn't be the first or second time FNC has mislabeled a politician's political affiliation. First, they labeled disgraced former Republican congressman Mark Foley (D-FL), RI

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-23911344721483878092008-01-22T16:29:00.000-05:002008-01-22T16:32:51.831-05:00

Note: Posted on Blogcritics last nightWith yesterday's hard fought 21-12 win over the San Diego Chargers at Gillette Stadium, the AFC Champion New England Patriots have now earned a trip to four of the last seven Super Bowls. Perhaps almost as impressively, New England's appearance in the AFC Championship game was their fifth in the last seven years, and they've won all but one of them. Their

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-18669927653182064552008-01-22T16:24:00.000-05:002008-01-22T16:29:48.110-05:00

Note: Posted on Blogcritics.org December 2007For the last eleven years or so, Jimmy Eat World has put out full-lengths that have either been labeled landmark releases that influenced a generation of emo-centric rock bands or gotten fairly respectable praise from fans and critics alike. The first of them, 1996's Static Prevails saw the then young Mesa, Arizona quartet making a raw, melodic but

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-27970916355928015272008-01-22T16:17:00.000-05:002008-01-22T16:24:42.730-05:00

Note: Posted on the Blogcritics web site last monthTwenty years after its initial pressing, famed guitar teacher and virtuoso Joe Satriani's Surfing With The Alien still stands as an album that revitalized instrumental music and made him a household name in rock, one of the best in the business. More than selling millions of records, it inspired legions of guitarists to follow his path and even

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-48600489822357593812008-01-22T15:10:00.000-05:002008-01-22T16:17:43.675-05:00

This was published on Blogcritics in December. An UPDATE is at the end of the article.Like many in the baseball world, I was visibly and emotionally shocked to learn that the once immortal Roger Clemens had steroids injected into his behind and had done other illegal performance-enhancing drugs for at least three years (1998, 2000, 2001). Maybe I shouldn't have been, since his name was among

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-83263136868657224642008-01-22T14:32:00.000-05:002008-01-22T15:05:56.964-05:00

This was published last month on Blogcritics, but I'm re-posting it here because it came out near the end of 2007 when no one cares about new music and thus needs more attention!Long Island, New York has turned out a steady diet of hardcore and punk bands over the years, so when the British-influenced indie rock quartet As Tall As Lions came on the scene a few years ago, people paid attention.

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-3873654487187795222007-12-12T15:01:00.000-05:002007-12-12T18:43:50.853-05:00

A day before the Mitchell report comes out, Baltimore finally gets rid off their unhappy slugger Miguel Tejada and trades him to the Houston Astros for five little known players. Hmm. Is it just a coincidence? Or do the Orioles want to start the 2008 season with a clean slate, knowing that some of their players will inevitably be named in former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-8585538642196194252007-12-05T17:08:00.000-05:002007-12-05T17:17:27.304-05:00

New York-based instrumental metal and dub band Dub Trio have captured all the strengths of their sophisticated sound with the release of their third - and first live - album, Cool Out And Coexist (ROIR Records).This highly respected and in-demand three-man band is made up of DP Holmes on guitar/keys, Stu Brooks on bass/keys, and Joe Tomino on the skins/percussion. Since they came on the scene in

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-72038996056366737192007-12-05T16:26:00.000-05:002007-12-05T16:40:29.616-05:00

Note: First published on Blogcritics.org 12/1/07R.E.M.'s Live (Warner Bros.) is no ordinary concert release. The band has made a concerted effort to reach out to its fan base, as it re-launched the R.E.M. Dublin website as part two of its promotion of the live compilation, which is based on two shows taped from Dublin in 2005. This version lets you watch song clips, a live trailer of the DVD

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-23616381770945355272007-11-27T21:00:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:35:25.416-05:00

Note: First posted on Blogcritics Magazine's web site 11-25-07Pearl Jam may never again be that omnipresent, chart-topping band of rebellious rockers of the early 1990s. But they don't have to be mainstream rock superstars in order to produce some great music and embark on one memorable tour after another (every other year, on average). Pearl Jam have built a loyal fan base the world over, and

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-51029941653053024162007-11-27T20:41:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:36:33.712-05:00

Note: First published on Blogcritics Magazine's web site 11-16-07This New York-based indie pop quartet met at Berklee College of Music in 2003, recorded a self-titled EP in 2004, and three long years later got signed to SideCho Records. Add to this the fact that Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie is a big fan of the band and that Jim Eno of Spoon produced their highly anticipated debut

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-71383046264575949222007-11-27T20:23:00.000-05:002007-11-27T20:43:11.671-05:00

NOTE: Yeah, I've been getting lazy about cross-posting my Blogcritics articles here; this one was published on 10/30/07.Often labeled as one of the progenitors of the current "emo" movement, Thursday has survived "nu metal," the garage rock revival, and whatever other trends that ruled the day in their ten years of existence.Their sound has always been hard to pinpoint, however. Some critics may

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-73890774716764847652007-11-27T20:04:00.000-05:002007-11-27T20:26:03.658-05:00

Note: Originally published on Blogcritics 11/7/07In the early and mid-'90s, Prong's unique blend of super-heavy industrial and thrash metal was ahead of its time and clearly influenced what was then the looming "nu metal" movement. At the time, I was a teenager who looked forward to every killer episode of MTV's Headbanger's Ball every Saturday night, which along with WAAF radio in my hometown of

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-53454320287333461432007-10-29T10:40:00.000-05:002007-10-29T11:14:17.548-05:00

In the first four years of their existence (1988-1992), the Smashing Pumpkins weren't known for epic, powerful or dynamic live shows. Yes, they rocked hard and were good enough to open for Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Nirvana and even Guns 'N' Roses, but lack of onstage chemistry and offstage problems almost spelled the end of the band before their breakthrough album

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-2484157758143215002007-10-29T10:32:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:40:22.716-05:00

Note: First published on Blogcritics Magazine's web site 10-02-07Since the 2002 release of their second CD Down II, a lot has happened to the Southern supergroup of metal heavyweights known as Down. Frontman Phil Anselmo battled and overcame hard drug use, endured the loss of his ex-Pantera bandmate and beloved metal icon Dimebag Darrell (killed on stage in December 2004 while performing in

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-64305928288823573052007-10-29T10:25:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:46:09.399-05:00

Note: First published on Blogcritics 9-06-07If you're in a great band, if you've built up a loyal fan base AND have had some degree of success over the years, there's a good chance that you will put out a live record some day. And if your band has sold over 70 million records worldwide in a span of 20 years, as Dave Mustaine's band Megadeth has, the time has finally come for that definitive live

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-41840125499392908342007-10-29T10:05:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:51:44.633-05:00

Note: First published on Blogcritics 9-18-07In this DVD, Baseball's Most Unbreakable Feats, current major leaguers, Hall of Famers, baseball historians and managers assess 10 so-called unbreakable records and the likelihood (or lack thereof) that the names associated with them will hold up over time. With Roger Clemens as narrator and opinions expressed by everyone from Lou Brock and Dave

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-2841510371916498802007-08-29T21:12:00.000-05:002007-08-29T21:44:59.122-05:00

Note: Cross-posted tonight at Blogcritics via this link.Houston, Texas is home to up-and-coming instrumental post-rock group Motion Turns It On. Their debut EP Rima is sure to make plenty of noise in the progressive alternative rock scene and may even give some of their Texas brethren a run for their money.This release's six songs contain enthusiastic and frankly top notch musicianship and

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-46900291548641058792007-08-29T21:04:00.000-05:002007-08-29T22:07:27.048-05:00

World famous German-born DJ and producer Paul van Dyk is back after four years with his fifth proper album, the just-released CD In Between, and his first studio output since being nominated for a Grammy (2005) for his last album Reflections.While some fans and critics, fairly or unfairly, dissed that album's (car) commercial appeal - it even featured a guest rapper, a la Paul Oakenfold's "

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34779507.post-18591302460165545692007-08-29T20:56:00.000-05:002007-08-29T22:02:19.315-05:00

Since 1990, San Diego's Unwritten Law have released five studio albums, a live album (in 2003), and a greatest hits collection, which came out early in 2007 on Abydos Records. From the skate punk of their early days and the power pop of their peak years, to the hard rock (some say "post grunge") of their later material, it's all here among nineteen tracks, plus an unlisted twentieth cut.Unlike a

Charlie D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13879011878658416429noreply@blogger.com1