Now that Mumford and Sons have released Sigh No More in the US, there are tons of great reviews coming out for it. My Old Kentucky Blog, John (of Meandre and Radio Free Chicago) and Popdosehave all weighed in. I love the album, no question about it, as it was one of my top CDs of 2009. Maybe I will cheat and name it a top album of 2010 as well, in honor of its US release date. The band will be appearing at the 2010 Bonnaroo festival; I’m hoping they stick in a few more tour dates, perhaps one in, oh, say, Chicago, en route to the festival.
Popdose has also a look at Butch Walker’s latest, I Liked it Better When You Had No Heart, which is currently sitting around, calling my name on my desk at home.
Next to it on my desk is the Preservation Hall benefit album, which Popdose has also reviewed. Short review on my part: I loved it. Go buy it. Longer review forthcoming.
Two more reviews of St. Vincent’s all around stellar performance earlier this month at Metro, this time from Uniform Grey and Gapers Block.
If bootlegs are your thing, here’s an audience recording of Ben Folds’ February 13th show with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Dawn Landes stops by HearYa for a quick set. MP3s and video are available.
Suburban Chicago’s Daily Herald profiles Justin Townes Earle, who plays at Lincoln Hall on Saturday.
Rocky Votolato talks to Popmattersabout depression, success, and the truth. Votolato plays Schubas on Friday.
Famed opera singer Renee Fleming is releasing an album of covers. Dark Hope is due out on March 18th, and tackles songs by Muse, Arcade Fire, Peter Gabriel, and, of course, Leonard Cohen. This is either going to be great, or a train wreck.
Gapers Block looks at Tinariwen and their unique brand of desert blues. The group is at the Old Town School of Folk Music this weekend, performing two concerts on Saturday and one on Sunday, as well as a guitar and percussion workshop on Sunday.
Small Chicagois a new web series presenting three songs, performed live and taped for the internet’s viewing pleasure. First up is Coltrane Motion.
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore did an instore show in a Lexington, Kentucky CD Central. You Ain’t No Picasso offers a review, photos, and MP3s of the set.
Antony Hegarty, of Antony & the Johnsons, talks to Stereogum about two recent shows he did in Japan, where he performed alongside dancer Yoshito Ohno, whose father Kazuo is the Butoh dancer on the cover of The Crying Light.
Josh Rouse’s latest album, El Turista, streams for free at KCRW through March 22.
While the review is from much earlier in the month, Consequence of Sound takes a look at Movits!New Year’s Eve show at Schubas. Sounds like it was a great show. You can’t go wrong with Swedish jazz/hip hop/awesomeness.