Paul Simon

High Notes

Making the Post List

Last Night ... Eyedea and Abilities, Sector 7G, Abzorbr, and Maneline @ The Marquee Theatre

Top Ten Americana Albums of 2008

Over the next couple of weeks, Backbeat will feature some Top Ten lists from around the Village Voice Media chain. Click here for previous year-in-review coverage from Backbeat and VVM. Picking the best folk and Americana records of the year isn't nearly as hard as discarding those great records t ... More >>

Wyclef Jean

Tuesday, January 29, Gothic Theatre, 303-788-0984.

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend
XL Recordings

Letters

Vampire Weekend
XL Recordings

After Further Review

Putting the season's major releases to the test.

Maloney's Tavern may be a corporate Cheers, but don't change the channel

Putting the season's major releases to the test.

Listen to the Movie

Almost Famous rings in your ears -- and heart -- long after it's over.

Freeloader

Bringing you the best in artist-approved downloads.

Africa Rises

Perú Negro brings a musical legacy to life.

Sonic Stew

Perú Negro brings a musical legacy to life.

Paul Simon

Tuesday, October 10, Magness Arena, 303-830-8497.

Paul Simon

Surprise (Warner Bros.)

Jeff Hanson

Thursday, February 16, hi-dive, 720-570-4500.

Freestyle Fellowship

Awesome live bands sometimes make magic in the studio, too.

Meese

The Oh No EP (Self-released)

Flight Club

The Frequent Flyers are putting on Air.

Retroactive

Bette Midler

Starfuzz

You Are Food (Self-Released)

Various Artists

An Afro-Portuguese Odyssey (Putumayo)

Pledges of Allegiance

What does old-fashioned patriotic music mean in a newfangled war?

Feedback

What does old-fashioned patriotic music mean in a newfangled war?

THRILLS

What does old-fashioned patriotic music mean in a newfangled war?

THRILLS

What does old-fashioned patriotic music mean in a newfangled war?

THRILLS

What does old-fashioned patriotic music mean in a newfangled war?

Flick Pick

What does old-fashioned patriotic music mean in a newfangled war?

Throw Down Your Heart at Starz

What does old-fashioned patriotic music mean in a newfangled war?

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of August 3, 2009

As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of August 10, 2009

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Seeing Adrian Belew in an intimate space like the Toad Tavern is a special treat, and that's the way he likes it

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Top Ten Best Soundtracks of the Decade

CQ took itself seriously despite its absurd premise.​Movie soundtracks are a difficult beast to master. They have to take an already existing song and apply it to a new medium in a new context. This often works with varying results, and many songs are so overused in soundtracks, they've lost a ... More >>

Poptimystic: 3OH!3 and Vampire Weekend

Welcome to Poptimystic, our latest feature where we lead you on a leisurely stroll through the world where pop music actually means popular. This week, hometown goofboys 3OH!3 make a return to the top of the Hot 100, and early returns have Vampire Weekend besting all comers. Huh? ​ The 3OH!3 ... More >>

Deferred Hat Tip: The Original Brothers and Sisters of Love "The Legende of Jeb Minor"

I love songs that tell stories. I'm partial to them in a way that if I got jury duty to pick the best of them, I'd be kicked out due to my relentless love of any and all songs conveying even a semblance of plot. ​ Knowing this, I still feel comfortable saying that the 1999 release of The Leg ... More >>

Vampire Weekend at the Ogden: Shake it, white boy

​ Vampire Weekend • The Blow 03.19.10 | The Ogden Theatre A lot of people accuse Vampire Weekend of not being original. "It's Paul Simon but smirkier," they say, or: "It's Afro-pop but whiter." And maybe it is those things. But you know what we're willing to bet no Afro-pop band, Paul Sim ... More >>

RIP Malcolm McLaren: A look back at the five great songs he left behind

​We may remember Malcolm McLaren, who passed away yesterday at the age of 64, as the manager of the Sex Pistols and New York Dolls, but he was also a musician and experimenter. Hell, he even created the song used in British Airways advertising for over fifteen years. His music was eclectic, an ... More >>

Cee Lo Green's inescapably charming (and shamelessly profane) kiss off tops our playlists

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most persistent question we encounter is: "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a lis ... More >>

Pretty Lights, Ween and Jay-Z filled our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

FoCoMX to host DIY recording workshop

​If you've been itching to learn how to record your music yourself or you just want to hone your skills a bit, here's your chance. Next month, as part of FoCoMX, music producer John Alagia (Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, Ben Folds) will be hosting a free workshop for budding engineers. To attend ... More >>

Screw you, Paul Simon! We love your pop!

Paul Simon...looking seeeexy.​In a recent interview, Paul Simon proclaimed that he's no longer concerned with topping the pop-music charts, and that he can now go back to writing and performing the songs that are true to his nature. To that statement, we say, "FUCK YOU, PAUL SIMON." We love yo ... More >>

Mile Highlights: This week's concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week: On the concert front, we've received word that Kings of Leon is slated for a two-night stand at Red Rocks with Band of Horses, Tony Bennett is due at Ellie Caulkins and Symphony on the Rocks will feature Sarah McLachlan, among others. Meanwhile, ... More >>

Mile Highlights: This week's concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

​ Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week: On the concert front, we've received word that Death Cab for Cutie is due at Red Rocks in August with Frightened Rabbit, preceded by O.A.R. in July, while Ben Folds stops by the Ogden in July and Queensryche plays the Theatre in September. ... More >>

Review: Peter Gabriel at Red Rocks, 6/13/01

Peter Gabriel got all sorts of orchestral last night at Red RocksPETER GABRIEL at RED ROCKS | 06.13.11"The rain started to fall in earnest, and lyrics like "Be afraid of the cold" and "After me comes the flood" were punctuated with peals of thunder and the dance of lighting bolts on the distant hori ... More >>

Velvet Elvis's Top 10 favorite Elvis songs in honor of The King's passing 34 years ago today

​Today's a historic day, in case you were wondering. Not only is it the 34th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, but today will mark the day that the Velvet Elvis, one of the country's top Elvis "emulators," comes to rest as well. In honor of the occasion, we asked the Velvet Elvis himself, ... More >>

Paul Simon at 1STBANK Center on October 26

​Paul Simon, who recently announced a new two-disc collection that spans five decades of material, is coming to the 1STBank Center on Wednesday October 26, two days after his new album, Songwriter, hits stores. Next month also marks Simon's 70th birthday. Reserved tickets for the show ($45-$85 ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Denver/Boulder area concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

​Here's what's happening in music on the Front Range this week: On the concert front, shows from Paul Simon, Amos Lee and Matisyahu were announced. On local radio specialty shows, Whiskey Bottles, Petals of Spain and Hot IQsall got some spins. Meanwhile, at our local record stores, new and rec ... More >>

Paul Simon

Wednesday, October 26, 1STBANK Center, 303-830-8497.

Review: Paul Simon at 1STBANK Center, 10/26/11

Chip KalbackPaul Simon last night at 1STBANK Center​PAUL SIMON at 1STBANK CENTER | 10/26/2011It was not late in the evening when Paul Simon began to play. It was exactly 8:22 p.m., in fact -- and it's interesting to note that, when he penned the story of his journey as a musician in that song ... More >>

Review: FaceMan's Waltz at the Bluebird Theater, 2/3/12

A.H. GoldsteinFaceMan at the Bluebird Theater last night.FACEMAN'S WALTZ @ BLUEBIRD THEATER | 2/3/12The sound became expansive and the stage felt crowded fairly early in FaceMan's set at the Bluebird Theater on a snowy Friday night. After a brief introduction from the Flobots' Stephen "Brer Rabbit" ... More >>