Murray Lightburn

Mile High Makeout: The Power of Focus

Top 10 Indie Rock Albums of 2008

Over the next few weeks, Backbeat will feature some Top Ten lists from around the Village Voice Media chain. Today, our own Michael Roberts runs down his favorite indie albums of 2008. In 2008, independent rock returned to the underground, where it belongs. Given the grand catastrophe that is tod ... More >>

Westword's favorite national albums of the year

Over the next few weeks, Backbeat will feature some Top Ten lists from around the Village Voice Media chain. Today, our own Michael Roberts runs down his favorite indie albums of 2008. In 2008, independent rock returned to the underground, where it belongs. Given the grand catastrophe that is tod ... More >>

Despite numerous lineup changes, Murray Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak have kept the Dears alive

Over the next few weeks, Backbeat will feature some Top Ten lists from around the Village Voice Media chain. Today, our own Michael Roberts runs down his favorite indie albums of 2008. In 2008, independent rock returned to the underground, where it belongs. Given the grand catastrophe that is tod ... More >>

Nationalistic

Our music writers pick the year’s national bests.

Yes, Dears

Being in a band can be a family affair. Ask these Canadians.

Listen Up

Fast reviews of recent releases

The Dears

Tuesday, May 31, Climax Lounge, 303-292-5483.

The Dears

No Cities Left (SpinART Records)

Jace Lasek of Besnard Lakes explains the recuring spy theme across his band's albums

​ Coming from roughly the same Montreal scene that produced bands like the Dears, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Stars, the Besnard Lakes recorded with members of those bands on its Polaris Prize-nominated 2007 album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse, at singer/guitarist Jace Lasek's Bre ... More >>