Music Reviews


Speak up: Attack of the cover vultures Published on Jun 26th, 2003 0 comments Jeremy Andersonat Coupe DeVille'sMonday, June 23 The pairing of local singer/songwriter Jeremy Anderson with that bastion of collared shirts known as Coupe DeVille's was more than a little amusing...
Higher power: Music inspires, transcends Published on Jun 19th, 2003 0 comments Arrested DevelopmentStarr Hill Music HallWednesday, June 10 Growing up, my mother insisted I attend church. I could easily think of better things to do than dozing in a pew during three hour sessions...
Identity crisis: Pick a genre, any genre Published on Jun 19th, 2003 0 comments The Angry Red PlanetOrbit BilliardsSaturday, June 14 Nature, being the bitch/holy mother that she is, seems to be conspiring against Virginia, in the form of end-of-the-world-type weather. Five...
Long night: Music better in small bites Published on Jun 12th, 2003 0 comments Meredith Bragg, Paul Curreri, and James Mason Tokyo RoseThursday, June 5 Never, in my all to frequent visits to the Tokyo Rose basement, have I seen anything resembling seating impinging on the...
To the Max: Collins breaks the acoustical mold Published on Jun 12th, 2003 0 comments Max Collins Michael's BistroMonday, June 9 Looking for something new, Monday evening I took a chance on Max Collins, an acoustic guitarist who appears weekly at Michael's Bistro. Earlier, while...
Long night: Music better in small bites Published on Jun 5th, 2003 0 comments Jets To BrazilTokyo RoseThursday, May 29 For the last month or so, May 29 has been marked on the calendars of many around our small burg– that date signified the return of New York's own Jets...
Mixed reviews: Rappers score; covers bomb Published on Jun 5th, 2003 0 comments Floetic Etiquette at Mellow MushroomMajahkamo at Starr HillFriday, May 30, 2003 Friday night I scoop up my partner, A.D., to check out some music, and off we go to Mellow Mushroom for a little live...
Cash-strapped: Gibbs group worth every penny Published on May 29th, 2003 0 comments C. Gibbs and the Cardia Bros.at Miller'sFriday, May 24 "Strap-ons" and "weird-ass pets" were just some of the topics covered in the unusually hilarious inter-song dialogue thrown out by C. Gibbs and...
Rasta legends: High old time at Wailers' show Published on May 29th, 2003 0 comments The Wailersat Starr HillThursday, May 22 The Wailers achieved international fame with Bob Marley in the mid-'70s, but that blip is just one point on a lengthy timeline that began in Jamaica...
Second-story men: Ellipsis everyone's cup of tea Published on May 22nd, 2003 0 comments DJ EllipsisTwisted Branch Tea BazaarSaturday, May 17 The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar is (a) bazaar in both senses of the word. It is the only eatery/café not located at ground level on the Downtown...
Totally random: Fishing through the CD pile Published on May 22nd, 2003 0 comments The Hook receives a ridiculous amount of unsolicited music press in the form of biographies, pictures, and CDs, from the publicists of smaller bands, many of whom are not even playing venues close to...
Smooth delivery: Singing stories at Nature Published on May 15th, 2003 0 comments Richard, Your Postmanat NatureFriday, May 9 As my friend Jack said last Friday night, standing in front of the new rock duo Richard, Your Postman, and surrounded by the paintings and...
Where are we? Drum 'n bass group takes us to London Published on May 15th, 2003 0 comments Siameseat Orbit BilliardsWednesday, May 7 The year was 1995, and the rave scene in England and Germany was just beginning to reach its peak. Clubbing was at an all-time high. Electronic music...
Last big blowout? Powerhouses go head to head Published on May 8th, 2003 0 comments Cannonball Coming, X Porn Stars, Man Mountain Jr.at Starr Hill/ OrbitSaturday, May 3 It was the battle of local powerhouses on Saturday, May 3. The X Porn Stars graciously shared the Starr Hill...
Whispered whimsy: Tunes to cuddle by Published on May 8th, 2003 0 comments In case you didn't know, it's kind of a magical time to be a young musician. In exchange for the less than impressive sums you earn from a summer of mowing lawns, or from changing the grease at Micky...
Beautiful world: Cale kids celebrate life Published on May 1st, 2003 0 comments Voices of Caleat PVCC's Dickinson BuildingFriday, April 25 After I adjusted the rabbit ears this weekend, my snowy reception of Channel 29 cleared enough to afford some fuzzy views of Most...
Pumpin': Circulatory System run through the Rose Published on May 1st, 2003 0 comments The Parlor Scouts, The Instruments, Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't, and Circulatory Systemat Tokyo RoseSaturday, April 26. I missed the indie-rock barrage that is Circulatory System when they...
Crowe-ing: Big time rockers plant the seeds Published on Apr 24th, 2003 0 comments Hookah Brownat the Outback LodgeWednesday, April 16 Aaron Hawkins Exhibit / Snap! at the Starr Hill Music HallFriday, April 18 What exactly is "underground?" Some folks think the term means...
Story time: Indie rock with a plot Published on Apr 24th, 2003 0 comments Robots Can't Fall In LoveSERP fraternity houseFriday, April 18 The rock opera, often decried as one of the foulest instruments of the prog-rock devil, has recently started to make a comeback- but...
Close to home: Pointed melodies mirror tales Published on Apr 17th, 2003 0 comments Greasy BeansAt Prism CoffeehouseSaturday, April 12 I've always wondered about those mega-clubs on Ibiza, where tourists go to thump under suds and colored lights. Even the arena rock...
Singular vision: Short set, long songs Published on Apr 17th, 2003 0 comments FountainheadAt JabberwockyFriday, April 11 Clothes appeared to be on the outs at Jabberwocky last Friday night: Awash in a sea of tight pants, midriff-bearing tops, and arched backs, I found...
Soft, so soft: No help here for ho-hum tunes Published on Apr 10th, 2003 0 comments Shape of Shade South Street BreweryWednesday, April 2, 2003 I first heard the name Shape of Shade while having coffee with a friend. He recently worked with the group to record a short album over at...
Ups and downs: MACRoCk full of surprises Published on Apr 10th, 2003 0 comments MACRoCk Harrisonburg's Court Square TheaterFriday, April 4 "I've got a Twizzler, that man's a tree!" one of my companions screamed, holding his candy delight high above his head like a fan with a...
Still alive: Inches to Flood, inches from fame? Published on Apr 3rd, 2003 0 comments Inches to Flood debuted on Tokyo Rose's subterranean stage several years ago. I remember them as being pretty good, with promise. But I wondered at the time if they would survive... or get trampled,...
The best: Local group shows how it's done Published on Apr 3rd, 2003 0 comments Ted Stryker's Drinking Problem is, in my estimation, the best live group in Charlottesville. I say that without hesitation, or need for further qualification– and I have no problem providing...
Contradiction? Dark Little Rooms go outside in the light Published on Mar 27th, 2003 0 comments Little Dark Roomsat Plan 9Saturday, March 22 Most of my Saturdays and Sundays look about the same: get up, work on Hook, slowly, until it gets dark, and then– like a music-addicted vampire (...
Cut a rug: Chasing the elusive two-step Published on Mar 27th, 2003 0 comments KimystryDürty Nelly's and Tragic ThievesJaberwokeFriday, March 21, 2003 Dancing is dead. People don't dance no 'mo. Why is it that there is so much music, but so little dancing? I hear homophobes...
Fiddlin' around: Irish fans dance and jam Published on Mar 20th, 2003 0 comments Ryegrass Rollersat Miller'sSunday, March 16 Sunday night was St. Patty's Eve, a night usually reserved for anti-pinch prep talks and little else. But despite the lack of green beer, the folks...
Smartrock: Music to think by Published on Mar 20th, 2003 0 comments Marzaks with Stephen Barlingat the MudhouseFriday, March 14 "Smartrock," that genre defined by catchy songs with erudite lyrics, was alive and kicking Friday night at the Mudhouse on the...
Color us happy: Jumpin' acts keep audience moving Published on Mar 13th, 2003 0 comments Palomar, 63 Crayons, and VHS and the Babiesat Tokyo RoseMarch 6 Spring Break! Yes, fellow residents of Charlottesville, last week signaled the yearly migration of many of this town's young and...