Email Author Mikael Wood

2012 Stories by Mikael Wood

• Sound Lab

  published September 12, 2012

  This fall, the adventurous Chicago-based indie label Thrill Jockey is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, it’s... More >>

• Spellbound

  published September 12, 2012

  Devoted goth heads are sure to be planning their weekend around Saturday’s Beacon Theatre concert by the Finnish metal band Nightwish. But... More >>

• ENTER THE VASELINES

  published August 29, 2012

  Nothing on the Vaselines’ 2010 reunion 
album, Sex With an X, quite merits inclusion in a songbook perfectly presented two decades... More >>

• Child’s Play

  published August 29, 2012

  Fang Island call the first song on their new record “Kindergarten,” which tells you a lot about the Brooklyn trio’s sound (if... More >>

• Bilal+Camp Lo

  published August 29, 2012

  This adventurous soul singer has been doing time with Robert Glasper in support of the latter’s deeply groove-conscious Black Radio.... More >>

• The BIG BANG

  published August 29, 2012

  Last year, Riot Fest—which began in Chicago in 2005—set up shop in Philadelphia for the first time, an expansion that evidently... More >>

• Papa M

  published August 29, 2012

  Dave Pajo was last seen around these parts holding down Carlos D’s old bass-player spot in Interpol. But now the former Slint/Tortoise/Zwan... More >>

• The Vaccines

  published August 29, 2012

  These bratty London rockers have a new album due out in the States early next month, and to soften the ground ahead of its release they’re... More >>

• A NEW GROOVE

  published August 29, 2012

  Onetime critical darlings whose 2010 Odd Blood finished in the top 50 of that year’s Pazz & Jop poll, Yeasayer’s just-released... More >>

• RECKLESS ABANDON

  published August 29, 2012

  Despite its more emphatic title, Icona Pop’s “I Love It” isn’t quite as thrilling as Enrique Iglesias’s “I... More >>

• Alt-J

  published August 29, 2012

  These buzzy English indie dudes just played Glasslands in Brooklyn last month, but this week they’re back for a sold-out Bowery Ballroom gig... More >>

• Anthony Hamilton+Estelle

  published August 29, 2012

  Last year this North Carolina neo-soul crooner released the strongest album in a career of very strong albums. So far, though, Back to Love... More >>

• Florence and the Machine

  published August 29, 2012

  You’re more or less guaranteed a rousing experience with Florence Welch and her disco-gospel Machine. But expect to throw your hands in the... More >>

• Deerhoof

  published August 29, 2012

  The veteran art-rock crew has a new one out, Breakup Song, which drummer Greg Saunier has described—perhaps facetiously—as a... More >>

• NEW ROMANTICS

  published August 22, 2012

  Choppy post-punk bands are in no short supply in Los Angeles these days, as the members of Dunes could tell you. This fuzzy, jangly trio formed... More >>

• GLOOM RAIDER

  published August 22, 2012

  Does this summer’s heat wave have you wishing for an early winter? Seek solace tonight with Peter Murphy, the cold-hearted goth-rock pioneer... More >>

• SWEET TOOTH

  published August 15, 2012

  Hip-hop heads perusing the liner notes to the Roots’ recent Undun might have wondered about Questlove’s co-producer on the track... More >>

• GIMMIE INDIE ROCK

  published August 15, 2012

  The perennially bed-headed Lou Barlow will spend much of this fall on tour with Dinosaur Jr., who have a new studio album due next month. Before... More >>

• Train+Andy Grammar

  published August 15, 2012

  First “Hey, Soul Sister,” then “Drive By”: Even the most devoted of Train-haters have to admit that these soft-rock simps... More >>

• Double Trouble

  published August 8, 2012

  Wanna meet a rock critic this weekend? Your best bet is tonight at the Mercury Lounge, where two scribe-beloved bands are due to share a double... More >>

• Kip Moore

  published July 25, 2012

  A member of the ball-cap–wearing new country crew populated by Luke Bryan and Eric Church, Moore plays rocked-up tunes about beer money,... More >>

• Lemonade+Blondes+Rewards

  published July 25, 2012

  These Brooklyn-based electro-meisters are responsible for two of the year's dreamiest tunes: "Neptune" and "Softkiss," both from their recent True... More >>

• The Del McCoury Band+Cahalen Morrison and Eli West+Spirit Family Reunion

  published July 25, 2012

  Bluegrass veteran McCoury, 73, doesn't require any great reason to rock a crowd: Last year I saw him win over a roomful of Hollywood hipsters at a... More >>

• Lucinda Williams

  published July 25, 2012

  Reports from the road indicate that Williams is playing lots of recent stuff on her current U.S. tour, and that’s A-OK with me: Little... More >>

• The Very Best

  published July 25, 2012

  Four years ago this African-English electro-pop outfit was remaking songs by Cannibal Ox and Vampire Weekend. On their new studio disc,... More >>