Concert Previews
Jesse Malin A former glam-rocker who fronted D Generation, Jesse Malin has successfully transformed himself into an urban troubadour/rocker, the kind of performer who is not out of place duetting with Bruce Springsteen, a big fan of his work. After three
Jesse Malin
A former glam-rocker who fronted D Generation, Jesse Malin has successfully transformed himself into an urban troubadour/rocker, the kind of performer who is not out of place duetting with Bruce Springsteen, a big fan of his work. After three strong albums of original material, this native New Yorker in his late 30s has made an especially heartfelt and surprisingly cohesive album of disparate songs that he says have influenced him.
On Your Sleeve,
due Oct. 28, is heavy on the '70s, with numbers by the Stones, Neil Young and Elton John, among others, but there are also nods to Bad Brains, Lords of the New Church, the Hold Steady, and the aforementioned Boss.
- Nick Cristiano
Wire
In a winding career packed with arty surprises, Wire once again offers the unexpected with the sheer straightforwardness of the poppy new album
Object 47,
the 47th entry in a catalog that includes the famed 1977 debut
Pink Flag.
Following the flinty experimentation of last year's great
Read & Burn 03
EP, England's iconic post-punk group now resembles the moody Britpop that comprised so many soundtracks of 1980s John Hughes films. Colin Newman's hard-bitten vocals have turned soft and restrained, and his guitar is dreamy and driving instead of sharp and repetitive. That isn't a bad thing, but it's hoped this gig will aim more for the hearts of decades-long fans.
- Doug Wallen
Ursula Rucker/Taylor McFerrin
Earth mother, princess of the harsh word, and queen of the exotic quixotic. Philadelphia's Ursula Rucker is all of these things and the proverbial bag o' chips when it comes to her music. Whether doing her sing-songy spoken-word thing or reading and rhyming for Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam, Rucker's cool cadences and flowing phrases are often diametrically opposed to the vicious ideas she puts forth.
Her forthcoming album is no different.
Ruckus Soundsysdom
and its first single, "Read Between the Lines," breath fire with richly appointed jazz-a-tronica. With the aid of old pal/producer King Britt and stalwart players like guitarist Tim Motzer by her side, expect nothing less than magic.
Opening the show will be Taylor McFerrin, a soulful vocalist and modern scat monster whose jazzy arrangements and memorable melodies should have made him a superstar five years ago.
- A.D. Amorosi