REVIEW – Lorde’s “Green Light”
When Pure Heroine turned Lorde into a pop sensation in 2013, it gave voice to sheltered teens who paid attention in English class and saw beyond the hollowness of growing up on social media.
Concert Review – Bon Jovi live in Las Vegas
Bon Jovi arrived in Las Vegas last night in support of their feisty new album, This House Is Not For Sale. After seeing them in September of 1989 at the Miami Arena (thanks mom!) and wearing out my New Jersey cassette, I’ve stayed faintly aware of them over the decades as they (d)evolved from one…
JAPANDROIDS – Near to the Wild Heart of Life
Somewhere between 2012’s stellar Celebration Rock and 2017’s Near To the Wild Heart of Life, Vancouver duo Japandroids grew up. The band returns from the five year break with eight new songs that are more polished than anything they’ve ever done.
CONCERT REVIEW – Adam Ant in Las Vegas
The show must go on. After losing guitarist and band leader Tom Edwards a few weeks ago, Adam Ant and the rest of his band circled the wagons and found a way to push on with the magnificent Kings of the Wild Frontier tour.
REVIEW – Katy Perry’s new single, “Chained to the Rhythm”
Katy Perry served up “Chained to the Rhythm” today, but maybe she should have kept it baking in Max Martin’s Swedish disco kitchen a little longer.
REVIEW – Glam Skanks Glitter City
With an album cover reminiscent of Queen II, there is little doubt where Hollywood-based mascara merchants Glam Skanks are headed on Glitter City. They’re currently on their first major tour opening for Adam Ant, so I thought I’d give their album a spin.
CONCERT REVIEW – ’80s Weekend #3
Nostalgia for the most plastic of decades – the 1980s – simply refuses to wane. The Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles played host to its third sold-out ‘80s Weekend concert on Saturday night and I got to witness the time warp firsthand.
THE RETURN OF ED SHEERAN
Ed Sheeran’s success as a pop star has always been a bit of a head-scratcher to me. As a pop writer, I get it – he’s got an undeniable ability to tap into the current zeitgeist and crafts a 3-minute earworm as well as anyone this side of Sweden – but as a performer he…
Bon Jovi – This House Is Not for Sale
Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet (1986) and New Jersey (1988) were pivotal cassettes for those of us raised on MTV and their longevity isn’t surprising to anyone who was paying attention back then. Less dangerous than Mötley Crüe and unafraid of a pop hook (or three), Bon Jovi’s sound made for one of the easiest…
CONCERT REVIEW – She Wants Revenge, The Joy Formidable, The Dig
October 25th 2016 – Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas Bringing together three distinctly different bands for one night, a small crowd in Las Vegas was treated to an eclectic blend of rock and roll that showcased three bands comfortable in their own skin.