Email Author Tom Murphy

2008 Stories by Tom Murphy

• Travis Morrison Hellfighters

  published March 6, 2008

  In an era when countless bands were emulating successful formulas from years past, the Dismemberment Plan was a refreshing departure: It wasn't... More >>

• Lil Slugger

  published March 6, 2008

  Like invaders from the North Country, Greeley's Lil Slugger is something of a shockingly unexpected surprise — but in a good way.... More >>

• This Will Destroy You

  published February 28, 2008

  It’s a safe bet that all ambient, instrumental rock after the turn of the century will inevitably be compared to Godspeed You! Black Emperor... More >>

• This Will Destroy You

  published February 28, 2008

  It's a safe bet that all ambient instrumental rock after the turn of the century will inevitably be compared to Godspeed You! Black Emperor and... More >>

• Magic Mice

  published February 28, 2008

  Folks might remember Aaron Betcher and Chad Peterson from their long-running band O'er the Ramparts, a confounding project that seemed to be... More >>

• Sleepers

  published February 21, 2008

  For more than a decade, Kathryn Ellinger has been writing consistently compelling and richly diverse music. This double album from Sleepers... More >>

• Extra Kool

  published February 21, 2008

  Whether by himself or with his Dirty Laboratory cohorts as a member of Optik Fusion Embrace, the Grimies, Teem Geezus and Creature From the... More >>

• Deadbolt

  published February 14, 2008

  Although its members proclaim themselves purveyors of "voodoobilly," San Diego's Deadbolt doesn't tread quite the same musical waters as... More >>

• Apathetic Drive

  published February 14, 2008

  Apathetic Drive's name may cause some to scratch their heads or tempt them to come up with a clever and slanderous nickname, but these... More >>

• Glen Phillips

  published February 7, 2008

  The relaxed, warm vocal style of Glen Phillips can be deceptive. It allows him to tell stories of human depravity, evoking the darkest depths of... More >>

• Glen Phillips

  published February 7, 2008

  The relaxed, warm vocal style of Glen Phillips can be deceptive. It allows him to tell stories of human depravity, evoking the darkest depths... More >>

• Lynx

  published February 7, 2008

  Mixing styles of music is a dubious proposition and often produces uneven results, especially when it comes to mixing hip-hop with any type of... More >>

• Roger, Roll

  published February 7, 2008

  Even though a new wave of shoegaze has been coursing languidly through the musical landscape, with the exception of Radiohead, it has never... More >>

• Abracastabya's Heart of Darkness

  published February 7, 2008

  When Abracastabya first formed in 2004, guitarist Geoff Brent and vocalist/pianist Willow Welter never intended to perform live. Before long,... More >>

• Roman Numerals

  published January 31, 2008

  Haven't we heard more than enough dusky, moody post-punk? Even efforts to make the sound more relevant by updating it with electronic... More >>

• Oblio Duo and the Archers

  published January 31, 2008

  As Oblio Duo, guitarist/vocalist Steve Lawson and drummer Will Duncan paint dusky yet vivid soundscapes that evoke feelings of nostalgia... More >>

• Slight Harp

  published January 31, 2008

  Electronic music would not have been the same without the contributions of minimalist pioneers such as John Cage, Steve Reich, Robert Moog and... More >>

• Rahzel

  published January 24, 2008

  When beatboxing emerged in the early days of hip-hop, it probably came across to many as a cute novelty. From the Fat Boys to actor Michael... More >>

• The Jimi Austin

  published January 24, 2008

  All too often, when bands try to splice together musical styles, they forget to develop their own identity within their songwriting. Or, more... More >>

• Wisely

  published January 17, 2008

  Willie Wisely has paid his dues. Hailing from the same 1980s Midwest scene that spawned the Replacements, Hüsker Dü and the Violent... More >>

• The Visitors

  published January 17, 2008

  When Shea Sweeney and Joe Vacarelli were in the neo-alt-rock band Whirlaway a few years ago, they displayed a surprising level of... More >>