New Column: Side to Side

Do side projects matter? Should they be considered and critiqued as thoroughly as an artist's "main" band?

That's the question this week at tm3am.com, as I take a listen to Jonsi's solo record, and side projects from three members of the Decemberists (Black Prairie) and Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls (Evelyn Evelyn). I also unveil my choice for the #7 album of the 2000s.

You know the drill by now. Click on over to read the column, and head back here to leave me a comment, should the fancy strike you.

New Column: All You Need is Love

I'm running out of nice things to say about Taylor Muse.

As the leader of Austin, Texas band Quiet Company, Muse is responsible for my second-favorite album of last year, Everyone You Love Will Be Happy Soon. That record is grand and epic and beautifully melodic, tackling weighty themes with grace and wit. As you can probably tell, I liked it a lot.

Now Muse and company are back with Songs for Staying In, a six-track EP full of romance, wonder and light. Not to give away this week's tm3am.com column, but I liked this one quite a lot too. If you haven't checked out Quiet Company, well, allow me to persuade you.

Also this week, I dig into Dan Wilson's new live album, I reveal my choice for the #8 album of the 2000s, and I share some quick thoughts on Matt Smith and the new Doctor Who adventure. All that is waiting for you here. Come on back to the blog to leave me a comment when you're done.

First Listen: Pet Shop Boys, Pandemonium

In 1987, I heard a spooky little synth-pop ditty called "It's a Sin," performed by two guys who never smiled. I haven't looked back since. I'm a Pet Shop Boys fan, and no matter how uninspired their studio output gets (and it has), I will still buy it and at least try to enjoy it.

So I quite like Pandemonium, the first PSB live album to be released on these shores. It zips through an elegant selection of some of the Boys' best work, from their first single, "West End Girls," to their latest, "Did You See Me Coming." Along the way, they spin some of my favorites, like the lovely "King's Cross" and the dramatic "Left to My Own Devices." They merge "Domino Dancing" with a cover of Coldplay's "Viva la Vida." It's all clever and danceable stuff.

What's the problem? I'm just not sure how "live" this really is. I have yet to watch the accompanying DVD, but most of Pandemonium feels pre-programmed. Neil Tennant's wonderful voice even sounds looped and processed here and there. I'm sure it didn't matter to the audience at London's O2 last December, so I don't know why it matters to me so much. Pandemonium is like getting a swell remix of the Pet Shop Boys' best songs. But if you're looking for a real live album, I'm not sure this is it.

First Listen: The Weakerthans, Live at the Burton Cummings Theatre

I like the Weakerthans. They're not exactly what you'd call prolific - they've made four albums in 14 years - but what they do is precise and winning. They play a strummy sort of alternative rock, carried forth by John Samson's thoughtful, tongue-twisting lyrics.

I like the Weakerthans. But I didn't necessarily need to hear (or watch) them play these songs live. There honestly isn't much difference between the versions on Live at the Burton Cummings Theatre and the matching versions on their studio albums. This is a nice thing to have, but not exactly essential.

As for what's here, 13 of these 18 songs are taken from their last two albums, Reconstruction Site and Reunion Tour, so if you like those, you'll like this. It's good to have both Virtue the Cat songs on one disc, and songs like "Civil Twilight" and "Sun in an Empty Room" sound good live. I like the Weakerthans, and if you like them too, you'll enjoy this. But don't put off paying the gas bill for it or anything.

New Column: Trying to Turn the Page

I am a Barenaked Ladies fan. That's probably never going to change, although the band has done everything it can to shake me. Their latest move was splitting with singer/songwriter Steven Page (which I understand was a mutual, acrimonious parting), and soldiering on with just the four remaining members.

This week at tm3am.com, I take a spin through All in Good Time, the Ladies' first Page-less album. It's probably not a spoiler to say I didn't like it a whole lot. But it's not all gloom this week - the column also features a letter from John Oates to Darryl Hall, my #9 album of the 2000s, and my First Quarter Report, which is basically what my 2010 top 10 list looks like right now.

So click on over to read all about it, then head back here, if you feel so inclined, to leave me a comment.

New Column: What Do You Want to Do With Your Life?

Don't worry, this week's tm3am.com column isn't all about soul searching. The title's merely a reference to Twisted Sister's "I Wanna Rock" video - this week's missive is about Real Rock, and how it gets the blood pumping, and how visceral energy sometimes makes up for a lack of musical skill. (But only sometimes.) It contains reviews of the new White Stripes live album, and the new rollicking rock opera by Titus Andronicus.

Also, I reveal my #10 album of the 2000s. All this can be yours by just clicking on over. Come back here when you're done to leave a comment.

RIP Alex Chilton

It's a sad day for power pop fans. Alex Chilton, mastermind of legendary bands the Box Tops and Big Star, died tonight of a heart attack at age 59. Big Star was a band whose influence far outstripped its fame. Ask any guitar-pop musician from the last 20 years for a list of influences, and Chilton will be there. The three classic Big Star albums (#1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers) belong in any pop music fan's collection. I love them all.

Rest in peace, Alex.

Read more here.