Author Archives: Dominick Duhamel

It pays to be honest. Ever since Art Brut formed in 2004 and released its first single, “Formed a Band,” the down-to-earth London-based quintet has become an unstoppable machine of indie rock. Not only have they released their debut album, “Bang Bang Rock & Roll,” several different times on several different labels, but they’ve also […]

The Decemberists “The Crane Wife” Capitol Records (Out Of 5) When the Decemberists, indie music’s most beloved group of raucous balladeers, announced their decision to leave Kill Rock Stars for a major label last year, few believed they had sold out. It seemed impossible that a band so dedicated to poetic narratives and unique instrumentation […]

Cursive “Happy Hollow" Saddle Creek Records 4 OUT OF 5 STARS The difficulty of capturing a band’s raw energy on record has long plagued the music industry. Few things get lost in translation as often as the passion and vigor of a live show. This is one reason Cursive’s latest effort, “Happy Hollow,” is so […]

Kenny Burrell lives and breathes jazz. Since his first recording with Dizzy Gillespie in 1951, he has become one of jazz’s most popular and sought-after guitarists. John Coltrane, Quincy Jones, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Sonny Rollins are but a few of the prominent artists he’s worked with. With his 75th birthday coming up this […]

The balance between accessibility and inventiveness is a delicate one, especially in the world of music. It took the boys from Animal Collective four tries to make an album that could be deemed listenable, while The Mars Volta’s latest release, “Frances the Mute,” seemed, at times, to crumble under the weight of its own ambition. […]

“Stadium Arcadium” Warner Brothers Records A lot has happened since the Red Hot Chili Peppers burst onto the streets of Los Angeles with their chaotic brand of punk-funk rap-rock 24 years ago. Their first 10 years saw them lose their original guitarist to a drug addiction, earn their own places in the junkie hall of […]

Regina Spektor has the sort of charm so irresistible that it would make Audrey Tautou blush. Born in Russia and raised in the Bronx, Spektor is scheduled to perform Tuesday at the El Rey Theatre. On record, the quirky songstress delivers sweeping melodies tinged with an alluring foreign accent that build on her inventive piano […]