Music
Heavy Lifting
The titles on Together We're Heavy, the second album from The Polyphonic Spree, are numbered from 11 to 20, continuing from the first ten sections of the band's debut, The Beginning Stages of... Despite the titling, however, things couldn't be more different on this sophomore effort. The Spree's debut was originally recorded as a demo, and didn't feature many of the current 21 group members.
The Rising
There is one piece of advice that Dave Bielanko -- lead singer of Marah -- has for people who bash his band: "Whatever you wanna do is good with us.
Back To The Streets
"What's Ramones?" Mike Skinner, the one-man act of The Streets, asks from his cell phone, en route to Utah.
Pop Rocks
Former Weezer bassist Matt Sharp told Street last week that he didn't understand distorting guitars these days.
He's Come Undone
Matt Sharp has been in the music business for over a decade, but with the release of his self-titled solo debut, he finds himself back where he started, when he was Weezer's falsetto-singing bassist. "There were no expectations for that Weezer record," Sharp explains.
To Heaven Through Hell
"Heavy punk rock is the best way to describe it," explains Ben Perri, lead singer of From Autumn to Ashes.
Keeping it Simple?
Once a near-popstar, jaded by his brush with "careerist music," Simple Kid is now a one-man act who writes and composes.
Clearly Canadian
She's the same old Alanis. She's been a victim. She's been a bitch. She's gotten better. If there is a reason for So-Called Chaos, it's pain.
Sign of the Cross
Despite the too-easy, self-deprecating title, David Cross' latest comedy CD -- It's Not Funny -- is a hilarious, diverse look at his life, at politics, and at the world.
Albums
Aerosmith Honkin' on Bobo 2 stars On Aerosmith's new album Honkin' on Bobo, the five rockers take a positive new step -- the album doesn't sound exactly like the band's last few.
Not artsy fartsy
Cursive is sick of hearing about Omaha. "It's kind of hard to have any feeling if you read press that mentions Omaha.
Cutting-Edge Traditionalism
The shape-shifting world of entertainment requires new musicians to bend borders and break with stale conventions.
Editor's picks
Tami Fertig Gary Jules Mad World Nothing quite nurses a broken heart like a sad piano song.
A 90 Day Case Study
Looking at the 90 Day Men's fourth and latest album, Panda Park, you develop a fascination with the overtly psychedelic cover art.
Albums
Michael McDermott Ashes For all the Jersey folk out there, there's been a change in tides.
Editors' picks
Tami Fertig: Arab Strap Cherubs Imagine this: a sweet and simple guitar melody floating lazily atop the slow and steady beat of a drum machine -- over and over and over again.
Coheed my call and listen to this band
Coheed and Cambria is "progressive rock, definitely not run-of-the-mill." Occasionally lumped into emo, or emo-core, the group's rock stylings are comparable to those of close friends and frequent tourmates, Thursday and Thrice.
Albums
Ben Kweller On My Way Ben Kweller wrote his first album during puberty, lived his adolescence in a recording studio and now, at 22, professes to know life's transcendental truths.
Split Kicks and bobbing heads
There are very few opportunities -- unless you are showering with them -- to hear a bassist singing.
