Uncle Tupelo

Farmington Hill

Road to Nowhere
Self-released

#WMS 2012 recap: Bar Standard

Every year, for the Westword Music Showcase, we enlist our army of Backbeat wordsmiths to host various stages, and in addition to their emcee obligations, we ask them to pull double duty (or triple-duty in some cases) and also write up the acts that appear on their individual stages. Tom Murphy host ... More >>

Mosey West

Merica
Self-released

Ten authentic Irish drinking songs

Finding an Irish soundtrack for a St. Patrick's Day celebration doesn't take a lot of exhaustive research. Generic "Best of Ireland" compilations abound in outlet stores, on iTunes and even on racks in gas stations, collections that feature anonymous artists playing generic versions of traditional C ... More >>

Weekend's best live bets: Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks and more

Are you ready? This is a weekend to remember. Tonight for the first time ever, the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre will add to its renown by hosting the first ever wintertime concert with Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks with Atmosphere, Common, Grieves and Budo and Get Cryphy. And that's just the tip o ... More >>

Bonnie & the Beard

Bonnie & the Beard
Victory Garden Records

Jeff Tweedy at Boulder Theater, 1/8/11

Jon Solomon​ JEFF TWEEDY With The Handsome Family 1.8.2011 | Boulder Theater When Jeff Tweedy opened the second show of his sold out two-night stand at the Boulder Theater with "Sunken Treasure," the venue was amazingly quiet except for a few cheers during high points of the song. With an a ... More >>

Jeff Tweedy

Friday, January 7, and Saturday, January 8, Boulder Theater, 303-786-7030.

American Tomahawk, Chromeo, Black Milk fill 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?" So 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 ... More >>

Catherine Wheel playing Johnny Cash songs? That's what David DeVoe's shooting for with the New Ben Franklins

Son Volt

Wednesday, July 8, Ogden Theatre, 303-830-8497.

Ten Reasons Ween's Better Than Your Favorite Band

Will Hoge

This troubadour lives on the road, which means he never gets homesick.

Mini Reviews

Weird Turn Prose

3 Kings Tavern

Listen Up

Fast reviews of recent releases

The Lost Charlie Louvin Interview

Big Timber

Larimer Lounge

Westword Music Showcase 2006

Be there or be square!

The Hackensaw Boys

Friday, April 7, Boulder Theater, 303-786-7030.

Breakout Artists

Out on Bail escapes the alt-country cage with its conviction intact.

Lucero

Sunday, October 16, Gothic Theatre, 303-788-0984.

Son Volt

Okemah and the Melody of Riot (Sony)

Torn in the USA

The Boss is a legend to some and a laugh to others. To me, he's been both.

Rock Ethic

Local 33 brings blood, sweat and beers to its blue-collar twang.

Lucero

Saturday, November 13, Climax Lounge, 303-292-5483; Sunday, November 14, Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins, 1-970-407-1322; Monday, November 15, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-447-0095; and Tuesday, November 16, Navajo Hogan, Colorado Springs, 303-443-2227.

Cold Fusion

Colder Than Fargo's brittle compositions thrive in spite of the frozen terrain that frames them.

The Autumn Defense

Circles (Arena Rock Recording Company)

The Beatdown

Return of the living Dead: What would Jerry do?

Critic's Choice

Jay Farrar

That's a Wrap-Up

Backbeat writers sound off on a few of their favorite musical things from 2002.

Backwash

Wilco weathers Reprise Records, in-fighting and an in-studio film crew in a new documentary.

Still Scorching

Jason Ringenberg embraces his title as alt country's architect.

Leaving the Son

With Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt behind him, Jay Farrar finds equilibrium as a solo artist.

Ryan Adams, Jay Farrar

Gold (Lost Highw), Sebastopol (Artemis)

Chris Mills

Kiss It Goodbye
(Sugar Free Records)

Poison Pen

Jeff Tweedy moves Wilco further toward perfect pop...and perfect despair.

Playlist

Ol' Dirty Bastard, Richmond Fontaine, Basement Jaxx, Barbra Streisand

Town Without Pity

Thrills for the week

Honesty Is Golden

Dan Murphy comes out from behind a bank of Golden Smog.

The Martian Chronicles

Fort Collins's Armchair Martian is ready to take its sound nationwide.

FORTUNATE SON

THRILLS

THRILLS

SALEM'S TRIALS

KEVIN SALEM WANTS TO SUCCEED ONE LISTENER AT A TIME.

ROGER WILCO

THANKS TO JEFF TWEEDY AND WILCO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE EMBARRASSED TO LIKE COUNTRY ROCK ANYMORE.

THRILLS

PONYS' TALE

PLAYLIST