Music - March 3, 2009
"Heroes" request musical devotion from disciples
It's hard to believe that it's nearly 15 years since War Child assembled the "Help" compilation, which had some brilliant moments. War Child -- an organization that aids kids affected by war -- now dishes up an, arguably, even better record in "Heroes" (Astralwerks), which takes a bass-ackward approach to the covers album.
Tags: War Child, Heroes, The Help Album, Lily Allen, Hot Chip, Elbow, TV on the Radio, The Hold Steady, The Kooks, The Kinks, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jones, The Clash, Astralwerks, Franz Ferdinand, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rufus Wainwright, Scissor Sisters, Hot Chip, B

Music - April 21, 2008
Captured by The Kooks
My friend and former Citizen King manager Jeff Castelaz sent me a copy of the first disc by British rockers The Kooks a couple years ago. Now, the band's second disc has me going ga-ga.
Tags: Kooks, Turner Hall, Rak, Konk, Inside In/Inside Out, Astralwerks, Tony Hoffer, jeff Castelaz

Music - March 12, 2008
Kraftwerk jets into Milwaukee
One of the most influential German bands in pop history, Kraftwerk is not known for its extensive touring. But, the revived outfit today announced four U.S. dates, including one at the Eagles Ballroom on Sunday, April 20.
Tags: Kraftwerk, Eagles Ballroom, Coachella, Astralwerks

Music - Feb. 25, 2008
The Kooks add Turner gig
As The Kooks plan to release their second disc, "KONK," on Astralwerks on April 15, the band also announced its largest American tour to date. The 15-gig jaunt includes a stop at Turner Hall Ballroom for a gig on June 1.
Tags: Kooks, KONK, Astralwerks, Turner Hall

Music - May 9, 2007
Mix tape: part three
Here’s part three of a journey through the stack of CDs on my desk. Parts one and two appeared in the Sound Check section in the past week.
Tags: Placebo, Air, Astralwerks, Hannon, Cocker, Heptones, Coxsone, Heartbeat, Rounder, LePop, Le Pop, Keren Ann, Blue Note, Sibbles, Groove Attack, Neil Young, Massey Hall