Critic's Notebook

Editor’s Note: The Denver Bootleg is a series chronicling the history of local music venues by longtime Denver cartoonist Karl Christian Krumpholz. Visit Krumpholz’s website to see more of his work…

The music business is a cruel mistress. There’s rarely rhyme or reason as to who gets the few-and-far-between big-money deals — even among worthy artists who are more than ready for a bigger spotlight. If there were justice, then the following eight talented local bands would be as adored nationally…

Sir George Martin, who’s died at age ninety, had a full, rich and varied life in music. But he will forever be known as the man who produced the vast majority of recordings by a little pop combo known as the Beatles. As such, Martin helped capture some of the very…

Editor’s Note: The Denver Bootleg is a series chronicling the history of local music venues by longtime Denver cartoonist Karl Christian Krumpholz. Visit Krumpholz’s website to see more of his work…

There’s an old adage that is often attributed to Frank Zappa but, according to QuoteInvestigator.com, actually originated with actor and musician Martin Mull. It goes, “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” Despite the fact that it’s meant as a slight, we’ve always liked the line because, when you…

Denver-based experimental electronic artist Thug Entrancer has a new album, Arcology, coming out on Friday, May 3 released by Software Recording Company, the imprint run by Daniel Lopatin, better known for his performance moniker Oneohtrix Point Never. The album represents a bit of a departure from previous Thug Entrancer albums…

Editor’s Note: The Denver Bootleg is a series chronicling the history of local music venues by longtime Denver cartoonist Karl Christian Krumpholz. Visit Krumpholz’s website to see more of his work…

No matter how many times she performs, Qbala still gets butterflies. Throwing up in trash cans before shows is common for her, as are endless bathroom detours and trips to and from her car. It’s a habit that started during her basketball-playing days, when she would get herself psyched for…

While the debate rages about whether or not Denver has a “sound” — most artists probably just don’t give a damn. Instead of trying to fit bands into certain categories or genres, we have rounded up nine great Denver bands that seem particularly difficult to pigeonhole — though we did…

Its origins may be in the Deep South, but Denver’s rich and diverse blues scene runs deep as well — and just keeps getting better. For more than 50 years, clubs in the metro area have offered the full spectrum of styles, everything from Delta to Chicago,  jump to electric,…

Cult of the Lost Cause has been defying simplistic definitions since its inception in 2010. The band plays instrumental post-rock and comprises three transplants with eclectic tastes and musical backgrounds: guitarist Mhyk Monroe, bassist Thom McLoughlin and drummer Mike Salazar. Along the way, the band’s ethnically diverse membership has been…

Editor’s Note: The Denver Bootleg is a series chronicling the history of local music venues by longtime Denver cartoonist Karl Christian Krumpholz. Visit Krumpholz’s website to see more of his work…

While metal has often been a male-dominated world and, at its worst, infected with misogyny, things have been changing for some time now. The average music lover won’t stand for that shit anymore and it’s no secret that women rock hard. The Joan Jetts of this world are no longer…

This year’s Artopia will feature an array of local DJs and electronic artists that will add sonic splendor to the event’s multimedia experience. Sound Off’s Silent Disco will take place in the City Hall Cue Room for a lively, headphones-only performance. The City Hall Amphitheater will feature the headlining act:…

During bassist Bob Raymond’s stint with Sugarloaf, he played on each of the Denver-based band four albums, including the 1970 self-titled debut that included the hit single “Green-Eyed Lady.” Raymond, who was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame with Sugarloaf in 2012, died on February 11 at the…

When a musician’s career spans as many decades and is as prolific as Maurice White’s was, that person is often given the benefit of being many things to many different kinds of people. Most notably, White was founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, a group whose roots are very important…

In the wake of the recent deaths of several classic-rock stars, it’s easy to forget about bands in the midst of careers that may achieve the same longevity and perhaps even “classic” status. Dr. Dog — a scrappy, critically acclaimed Philadelphia rock-and-roll band that formed seventeen years ago and has…

Ween, the ever-experimental and edgy Philadelphia rock band, is back. With frontman Gene Ween (born Aaron Freeman) in recovery from substance abuse, the brilliantly oddball group will play three shows this weekend at 1STBANK Center, and the list of subsequent dates is growing. Other than a statement last fall and…

Editor’s Note: The Denver Bootleg is a series chronicling the history of local music venues by longtime Denver cartoonist Karl Christian Krumpholz. Visit Krumpholz’s website to see more of his work…

Since the beginning, women have played integral creative roles in the Denver music scene, and today there is no shortage of bands fronted and led by women. Ranging from noisy pop and folk rock to beatboxing soul and hip-hop, what follows is a list, in alphabetical order, of ten of…

Forget Queen this Super Bowl as you prepare to celebrate the Broncos impending victory. This Sunday, February 7, Lisa Wheeler of KCMJ will be spinning obscure Broncos-themed anthems from long-forgotten Colorado locals like The Orange Crushers and Chris Taylor who, through the ’70s and ’80s churned out vinyl records celebrating…