THE WATSON TWINS: FIRE SONGS (VANGUARD) *** "Fire Songs" may not be the first description that comes to mind for this collection of mostly languid, country- and folk-tinged pop. But if The Watson Twins (Chandra and Leigh) don't burst into flame, they generate plenty of warmth with a steady smolder. ...more

August 22, 2008

CBS says "Matrix" star Laurence Fishburne is joining the cast of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," stepping into the gap left by departing cast member William Petersen. ...more

August 19, 2008

WOLF PARADE: AT MOUNT ZOOMER (SUB POP) **½ Combine new wave quirks with lo-fi indie rock and you'll get, well, a mess, and not necessarily a hot one. As on loudly praised debut album "Apologies to the Queen Mary" (2005), Wolf Parade misses almost as often as it hits on its sophomore disc. ...more

August 14, 2008

BLACK KIDS: PARTIE TRAUMATIC (COLUMBIA) *** Who knew a local band from Jacksonville would have the masses wanting to hang out with Black Kids - the indie rockers, that is? ...more

August 7, 2008

SANTOGOLD: SANTOGOLD (Downtown) *** If you're looking for something different yet relevant, "Santogold" is it. ...more

July 14, 2008

Alpha Fox Robin Pecknold told Paste Magazine that the band's exquisite harmonies remind him "of being in school plays" and "being around family." ...more

July 3, 2008

ELI "PAPERBOY" REED & THE TRUE LOVES: ROLL WITH YOU (Q DIVISION) ***½ ...more

June 19, 2008

"It's a shame we only make it here every eight years," Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder told a Forum crowd of 13,746 Wednesday night. ...more

June 13, 2008

No, he's not Randy Jackson, "American Idol" judge - although he has met that Jackson while touring. ...more

June 4, 2008

Most bands dream of scoring a hit record. The reality isn't always so dreamy. New York City trio Nada Surf was all over MTV thanks to "Popular," the hit single and video from its debut album, 1996's "High/Low." ...more

May 29, 2008