Latest Posts

When Rock Stars Are Jerks

June 9, 2014 John Hugar

Last week, I wrote about the ongoing feud between Jack White and The Black Keys, and why I didn’t think it was anything to get worked up about – musicians talk crap about each other’s work all the time, so what if one artist you like hates another artist you like? But the Rolling Stone interview with White wasn’t just noteworthy because of White’s specific comments about the Keys, it also registered because the dude just comes off like a bit of a prick. He just seems like a bitter guy who, considering his massive success, doesn’t have all that many reasons to be bitter. Ultimately, that was why White decided to apologize: he knew his words had left a bad taste in his fans mouths, and he wanted to correct the problem as quickly as possible. But this raises a larger question: does it matter that our favorite rock stars[...]

Tonight: Chris Robinson Brotherhood

June 3, 2014 John Hugar

Chris Robinson was always one of the biggest hippies in music, but he didn’t really start letting his freak flag fly until he left the Black Crowes, and formed the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, who take the stage at the Town Ballroom tonight (8pm, $24). The name is somewhat ironic, considering in the Crowes, Chris actually played with his brother, Rich Robinson, with whom he had a notably rocky relationship. The Brotherhood established themselves in 2012 with the release of two critically acclaimed albums, Big Moon Ritual and The Magic Door. Both albums embraced Robinson’s enthusiasm for extended jams, with several tracks that went on for 10 minutes or more in lengths. The band’s third album, Phosphorent Harvest, just game out, and while the song lengths are trimmed down just a bit, there are still plenty of extended jams. This music lends itself well to the live setting, where little improvisations can be added[...]

Who Cares What Jack White Thinks About The Black Keys?

June 2, 2014 John Hugar

In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Jack White said some shit that pissed off a bunch of people. He accused the Black Keys of ripping off his work, and argued that Adele owes a large part of her commercial success to Amy Winehouse’s death. This was apparently controversial enough that White released a statement apologizing for the comments on his website this weekend. To me, the question that needs to be asked is why the fuck does any of this matter? First off, White’s apology is hilarious. He’s basically saying “Sorry I told you how I really feel.” I mean, it’s not like he’s actually retracting any of those opinions or saying “Nah, I was just shitting around, the Black Keys are a great band.” And as someone who thoroughly enjoys the music of White as well the Keys, I couldn’t possibly care less. So Jack White doesn’t like a band[...]

Tonight: Headshots Volume 2

May 29, 2014 John Hugar

If you’re a fan of Buffalo hip-hop – or you’d like to get on the fast track to becoming one – the best place to be tonight is the Gypsy Parlor, where several of the Queen City’s most talented up-and-coming hip-hop acts will be performing as part of Headshots Volume 2. The latest installment will feature a collection of local rappers including Shuteyes, WZA & Tommy Two of Radarada, Short Moscato (who will also be hosting the event), Nat Wheat, Chronic Collective and Bagel Jesus with Sparkmatic. Buffalo has an incredibly vibrant hip-hop scene filled with highly talented people approaching the genre from a wide array of different background and styles. If you haven’t been paying attention to it, tonight would be a good night to fix that, and get with the program. The show starts at 10, and it figures to a wonderful showcase for our fair city’s ever-growing[...]

The Awkward Rebirth Of Michael Jackson

May 26, 2014 John Hugar

Michael Jackson’s new album Xscape debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. The lead single, ‘Love Never Felt So Good,” currently resides at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Oh, and last Sunday, a hologram of Jackson had one of the best performances of the Billboard Music Awards. So, it would seem that with the five-year anniversary of his death fastly approaching, Michael Jackson is one of the biggest pop stars in the country. So, what do we make of this? Plenty of musicians have had posthumous releases debut near the top of the chart, and had their work continue to be appreciated by new generations, but this feels different. It almost feels like Michael is actually still here, still producing new work, and still existing as an active pop star, even though that’s technically impossible. Every posthumous Hendrix or Tupac release has been treated as just that – unearthed[...]

Tonight: Like A Parrot

May 23, 2014 John Hugar

Earlier this year, the indie-electronic duo Like A Parrot was victorious in early round campaigning of Artvoice’s B.O.O.M. (Battle Of Original Music) tournament, and tonight, they’ll be trying to advance once again, as B.O.O.M. hits Nietzsche’s tonight at 9pm. The band has an instantly catchy new-wave/electronic sound, similar to Phoenix, Passion Pit, or Two Door Cinema Club, as heard on tracks like “The Balance” and the brand new “No Sleep” (listen below). For a fairly young band, the tracks featured on their soundcloud page are not only quite well-developed, but very slickly produced as well. Despite having existed for less than two years, the band already has a well-defined sound, and will be difficult to beat tonight. For those looking to catch on a talented young band that could be on the cusp of big time fame, as well as to hear some of the other talented young artists our[...]

Sleepy Hahas – Dull Days

May 19, 2014 John Hugar

Dull Days, the new LP from Buffalo’s own Sleepy Hahas, is likely to be one of the most diverse, consistently entertaining albums you’ll hear out of WNY this year. The sound is all over the map, as the band explores different styles and genres on each track, from Mudhoney-esque sludge metal to more gentle, acoustic numbers. It never stops being interesting, and the end result is an endlessly fascinating debut from a wildly creative band. If Sleepy Hahas sound had to be pinned down, they are somewhere in the middle of psych rock and sludge metal, with elements of Mudhoney, Queens Of the Stone Age, and 13th Floor Elevators all emerging at various points in the album. This is especially apparent on “I Hate My Body (And It Hates Me Too),” an engaging psychedelic rant that certainly wouldn’t feel out of place on Rated R. But these are not the only[...]

Frigid Giant Drops From My Cold Dead Hands

May 13, 2014 John Hugar

This past weekend, Buffalo rapper Frigid Giant held the release party for his excellent new album From My Cold Dead Hands. Those who attended that show have a vital recording of one of the freshest voices to emerge on the Buffalo hip-hop scene. Throughout its 42-minute running time, From My Cold Dead Hands is packed with witty, conscious lyrics, and well-produced beats with a futuristic sound that points to hip-hop’s next wave. It’s a brilliant record all around. A big part of Frigid Giant’s charm is the ability to mix bravado with self-deprecating humor. While he often boasts about his skills as an MC (he can definitely back these claims up), he also is quite honest when he jokes about sleeping till noon and being broke. Our narrator is aware of his considerable talents and his not shy about his ambitious. But he also acknowledges that for now, as he’s[...]

Why The Presence Of A New Pixies Album Bothers You

May 5, 2014 John Hugar

When the Pixies reunited in 2004, they swore they wouldn’t make a new album. At the time, most thought this was the right move. After all, what they accomplished in the 4.5 albums they made was pretty close to perfect, so why dilute that greatness with a new album that couldn’t possibly live up to expectations? It was a sound bit of thinking, but after a decade, they just couldn’t help themselves. They released Indie Cindy, a collection of the songs released on three EPs that have come out gradually over the past eight months. The reaction to Indie Cindy – as well a the EPs that make it up – has been frosty to say the least. Just as the band had feared in 2004, it couldn’t live up to the Pixies’ legacy and the record is being treated as an unwelcome guest in their catalog. Over the past two and a[...]

Why Do We Care What The Critics Think? (I’ll Tell You)

April 28, 2014 John Hugar

It’s August 2006, I’m hanging around the no-longer-in-existence FYE on Transit & Wehrle, next to the Imax Theater. I pick up the new issue of Spin, immediately flip to the reviews section, and I’m dejected to notice that Tom Petty’s Highway Companion had only received two stars. I resisted the urge to hurl the magazine across the room, but I was decidedly unhappy. How could the be so down on my favorite artist ever? But more importantly, why did I give a fuck? It’s the question that fans, musicians, and probably even other critics have contemplated for decades: why do we care what the critics think? If we derive joy from an album, should we really be losing sleep over whether or not some freelancer from Rolling Stone thought it wasn’t any good? Ideally, no, but we care anyways. Because as music fans, we feel an intrinsic need to have our[...]

Tonight: Start Making Sense with HMFO

April 24, 2014 John Hugar

David Byrne has said time and time again that he has no desire to re-unite the Talking Heads, the band he lead for 15 years, and made some of the best music of the last century. This is a huge shame because the Talking Heads’ music has influenced and inspired millions of people, and there are plenty of younger fans (like me) who will never know the immense pleasure of seeing the Heads in concert. Thankfully, we do have an excellent Talking Heads tribute band in Start Making Sense, who will be taking this stage tonight at Nietzsche’s. The band perform tunes from every stage of Talking Heads existence, – the heady Brian Eno-influenced years, as well as the poppier later stuff. If you dig the Heads even a little bit, this would be a fine show to attend. The gig will also feature HTMO, a Hall & Oates tribute[...]

Today & Tonight: Well Worn Boot Comic/EP Release Party

April 19, 2014 John Hugar

If you need a little excitement to liven up your Easter weekend, you’d be wise to catch Well Worn Boot – possibly the most shocking band in town – at Nietzche’s tonight, for the release of their new EP and corresponding comic, Boot In Space. If you’ve never heard the band, you’re in for a completely unique experience. Imagine if Primus, The Cramps, Motorhead, and Jethro Tull were all put it a blender, and you’d have a reasonable idea of what their sound is like, but really, they’re unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Their music prominently features the flute alongside driving baselines, and old-school psychobilly guitar riffs, and they seem to take equal inspiration from punk, prog, and shock rock. The result is something wholly unique, and quite unsettling for those who aren’t prepared for it. The new EP figures to be yet another head rush of innovative, genre-bending music, and[...]

Requiem For The Greatest Hits Album

April 14, 2014 John Hugar

As one of the few people still buying CDs, I’m already something of a musical relic. What I tell you next might shock you though, the last two albums I bought were Greatest Hits compilations. Just in case you thought I was aiming for any hipster cred here, the compilations in question were for Foreigner and My Chemical Romance (both of which I will defend to the death, but I’m just sayin’). Now, this might seem a bit confusing as the greatest hits album is even more a thing of the past than the CD. We more or less killed it when we created the playlist, right? The old problem of “how could they leave off (insert fan favorite here) was resolved once and for all when iTunes gave us the ability to just add that song right along with the others. But while I’m thankful for the ability to[...]

Is Discography Dilution A Problem?

April 7, 2014 John Hugar

Last week, a rather strange rumor hit the internet. Apparently, The Flaming Lips were going to record a “companion” album to The Dark Side Of The Moon. The idea was that you played the two albums simultaneously and that they sync up, just like The Wizard Of Oz. Well, the whole thing turned out to be a big April Fool’s prank, but it’s not hard to see why people believed it, or why it was a bit troubling. The Flaming Lips have been doing a lot of this lately – and there’s a case to be made that it’s been too much. Last year’s The Terror was a wonderful album, and it didn’t get the respect it deserved, but it’s just one of a number of things they’ve been putting out in recent years and the quality tends to vary. First, there was that six-hour long song that no one completely understands the reasoning[...]