Pop Culture Happy Hour, Small Batch Edition: 'Jurassic World'
The new super-mega-blockbuster dinosaur movie has fun dino stuff, a great performance from a guy in glasses, and two main characters who are severely underwritten.
Music Reviews
Dawes' New Album Grapples With Regret Without Getting You Down
The California quartet, led by lead vocalist and main songwriter Taylor Goldsmith, has a new album called "All Your Favorite Bands." It explores sadness and doubt without being downbeat.
Michael Gibbs And Bill Frisell Team Up On A New Big Band Record
In the 1970s guitarist Bill Frisell was a student of jazz composer and arranger Michael Gibbs at Boston's Berklee College of Music. This is the album some Frisell fans have been wishing for.
Shamir Bailey Invites Everyone In, With Plenty Of Pop Star Potential
The young singer and songwriter lets his voice soar on his debut album, Ratchet. Rock critic Ken Tucker says it's one of the year's most striking collections, full of energy and optimism.
New Release Brings Overdue Recognition For Soul Singer Jackie Moore
Much of Moore's music was unreleased at the time of recording and some of her best work didn't get the attention it deserved. A double disc compilation of her recordings has just been released.
Malian Bandleader Bassekou Kouyate Merges Rock And Soul In 'Ba Power'
The new album by the veteran musician and his band Ngoni Ba conveys the restless march of time and the transience of all human conditions. Milo Miles calls it "the most satisfying sort of catchy."
The Gary Peacock Trio Balances Introspection And Drive In 'Now This'
Bassist Gary Peacock, pianist Marc Copland and drummer Joey Baron bring an airy, elastic swing to their new album, Now This. Critic Kevin Whitehead says the players pull the melodies together well.
Joanna Gruesome's 'Peanut Butter' Rises Above The Band's Gimmicky Name
The Welsh band's name is a play on that of singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom. Ken Tucker likens the group's second album to a high-wire act accompanied by "furiously strummed punk-rock guitar chords."
Revisiting The Crystal Clarity Created By The 'Decca Sound' Revolution
In the 1940s, recording engineers perfected new sound techniques that were used in World War II — and which launched a hi-fi revolution. Lloyd Schwartz reviews the new 53-CD Decca box set.
In 'Take Off,' Ramon Valle Makes The Piano Sing
Despite its clarity and cohesion, Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the new album from Cuban pianist Ramon Valle and his trio is half knock-out, half schmaltzy.