Dave Purcell

1) Mclusky -- Mclusky Does Dallas. By now, you've probably heard the riotous single, "To Hell With Good Intentions." The rest of the record is every bit as good -- disorderly and noisy, like early Pixies but more maniacal.

2) Swissfarlo -- Boxed and Morals Galore -- Donerail. Two of the best new local combos pump out two early record-of-the-year contenders. Swissfarlo: buzzy and infectious, Velvet Underground taking on the Dave Clark Five. Morals Galore: Pavement cranked up on lemonheads (candy, not band) and Wiedemann, minus the slacker Cali-tude. Both bands bring it live, reminding anyone listening that Rock still matters.

3) The Clash -- Clash On Broadway (boxed set) and Radio 4 -- Gotham. Joe Strummer's untimely passing sent me into Clash revival mode. If all of your Clash is on vinyl, Clash On Broadway is a great way to move to CD. Radio 4 are NYC peers of The Strokes, but better. Drawing on post-London Calling Clash and Gang of Four (angular guitars over angry funk), they're a force to reckon with.

4) Magnet magazine. "Real music alternatives" is their motto, and they mean it. Their 2002 review (Jan/Feb 2003 issue) shows why they're the best music read: features on Joseph Arthur, Black Heart Procession, and Arena Rock Recording Company by an alternative music publication unafraid to put Tom Petty on the cover or devote an entire issue to the history of Power Pop.

5) Seattle's KEXP (www.kexp.org). The best free-form radio station on the planet. Check out the "John in the Morning" show, where anything tasteful is fair game.

E-mail the editor

Printer-friendly version

personals | cover | news | columns | music | movies | arts | dining | listings | classifieds | mediakit | promotions | home

The Death (and Rebirth) of Hip Hop
Why does the mainstream resist Hip Hop artists who reach beyond the material world?

Minimum Gauge
Check the temperature on a money-back guarantee, the labeling of Garage Rock and Justin Timberlake filling in for the Flaming Lips

Sound Advice
White Heat, Cody Chestnutt, The Roots and Dangerville set things crackling

Spill It
Female performers rise up in unison

Short Takes
Creative Sole floats atop Hip Hop waters

Locals Only: Workshop 'Til You Drop
Two performers look to enhance the local singer/songwriter community

Positively Yeah Yeah Yeah: New Tunes
Lee Perry CD reissue more than scratches the surface of groundbreaking Reggae

Music Listings

	Join the CityBeat Mailing List
	» JOIN NOW