Author Archives: Natalie Edwards

Black Keys’ fifth album would have fit squarely into the band’s discography ““ each release an example of the Ohio natives’ signature minimalist take on garage delta blues ““ had Danger Mouse never approached guitarist and vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney to write songs for an Ike Turner album.

The singer-songwriter behind the Mountain Goats, John Darnielle, makes albums that range from collections of fiery and witty solo acoustic ballads to more layered, acoustic odes to string instruments.

To think: Vampire Weekend’s first album only came out Jan. 29, after something like six months of riding the biggest waves of the hype machine based on only a handful of songs.

When José González was working on the songs that would comprise his first album, he found himself falling asleep over his nylon-stringed guitar.

Westwood is filled with hidden culinary treats, and Campagnola is one of them.

The Avett Brothers aren’t afraid of singing about love and they aren’t afraid of using banjos to do it. Their 2007 album “Emotionalism” has the band nominated for two Country Music Television awards, debuting on national TV on Conan O’Brien, and making No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers Album chart.

Since his novel “Norwegian Wood,” Haruki Murakami’s novels and short stories have been written for the youthful at heart. His brand of magical realism follows loner-like protagonists on archetypal journeys of self-discovery through modern dive bars, Beatles songs, talking cats and seedy hotels.