October 2010 Archives

The Living Sisters - Love to Live (Vanguard) [upcoming shows] [audio]

The Living Sisters are Eleni Mandell, Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark, and the ever-busy Inara George sharing vocals and songwriting credits. Blending folk, blues, and jazz elements, their songs are well-suited for both the Lawrence Welk Show and the Pitchfork Music Festival. The sweet sound shines brightest on classics like Bessy Smith's "Good Ole Wagon" as well as Mandell's originals. Also, it turns out they're not actually siblings.

Superchunk - Majesty Shredding (Merge) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Well, they sure sound happy to be back. After a couple of records that didn't measure up, their ongoing side projects, the eight year break seems to have worked. Other than having better song selection, the formula hasn't changed much (aside from being re-energized and writing better songs.) Overall, very high energy album but nothing as fast as their first albums. Instant Superchunk classics are "My Gap Feels Weird", "Digging for Something" and "Crossed Wires". Looking forward to their next album eight years from now.