News
Plus Viagra Boys, Band Spectra and The Anchoress, Margaret Glaspy, Men I Trust, and a Wrap-up of the Last Two Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Jul 08, 2022
By Mark Redfern (with Joey Arnone)
Welcome to the 26th Songs of the Week of 2022. We didn’t do a Songs of the Week last week as pickings were slim in the run up to the long July 4th weekend, so this week’s list covers songs from the last two weeks. Thus we have a supersized Top 15. The list includes two pro-choice songs. More
All Proceeds Go to My Block, My Hood, My City
Apr 03, 2020
By Lily Guthrie
Gospel singer Mavis Staples, of the beloved soul group The Staple Singers, has shared a new song, “All In It Together,” that is produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, who also features on the track. More
Hayden Thorpe Is the Runner-up (Plus Stream New Albums from Flying Lotus, Mavis Staples, Black Mountain, Morrissey, and More)
May 24, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welsh singer/songwriter/guitarist Cate Le Bon has released a new album, Reward, today via Mexican Summer and it’s our Album of the Week. Find more info on the album here, as well as on a strong runner-up that was almost our Album of the Week, Hayden Thorpe‘s Diviner. Plus there are streams of other notable albums released today. More
We Get By Due Out May 10 via ANTI-; Album Produced by Ben Harper
Apr 18, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Soul legend and civil rights activist Mavis Staples is releasing a new album, We Get By, on May 10 via ANTI-. Ben Harper produced the album. Now she has shared another song from it, “Anytime.” More
If All I Was Was Black Out Now via ANTI-
Feb 12, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Soul legend and civil rights activist Mavis Staples released a new album, If All I Was Was Black, last fall via ANTI-. Now she has shared a video for the album’s title track. Zac Manuel directed the video, which features Staples singing the song in a restaurant booth intercut with footage of a monument being unveiled, one that’s intended to replace a Confederate monument. More
If All I Was Was Black Due Out Friday via ANTI-
Nov 14, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Soul legend and civil rights activist Mavis Staples is releasing a new album, If All I Was Was Black, this Friday via ANTI-. Wilco‘s Jeff Tweedy produced If All I Was Was Black and also guests on one song, “Ain’t No Doubt About It,” and now Staples has shared the song. It’s a pleasing duet between Staples and Tweedy. More
The Anniversary of the Trump Election and a Very Short List of His Accomplishments Since
Nov 10, 2017
By Stephen Mayne
We’ve had a year of a world in which America elected Donald Trump to run the country, so we’re talking about the anniversary this week, while also catching up on local elections, gun control, and repression outside Trump’s America. More
If All I Was Was Black Due Out November 17 via ANTI-
Sep 11, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Soul legend and civil rights activist Mavis Staples has announced a new album, If All I Was Was Black, and shared its title track. If All I Was Was Black was produced by Wilco‘s Jeff Tweedy, who also guests on one song. More
I'll Take You There: An All-Star Concert Celebration Due Out June 2 via Blackbird Presents
Apr 14, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
In 2014 soul legend and civil rights activist Mavis Staples had a big hometown concert in Chicago that featured a slew of special guests. Among them were Arcade Fire‘s Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, who joined Staples on stage for a cover of Talking Heads’ 1983 song “Slippery People.” More
Humanz Due Out April 28 via Warner Bros.
Apr 06, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz are releasing a new album, Humanz, on April 28 via Warner Bros. More
All Proceeds Go to the ACLU
Jan 27, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Last week Arcade Fire released a brand new song, “I Give You Power,” that featured the guest vocals of soul legend and civil rights activist Mavis Staples. Its release the day before President Donald Trump’s inauguration was probably no accident, especially as all proceeds from the song are being donated to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). More
Album Titled Fallen Angels
Mar 07, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Bob Dylan has announced a new album and a slew of U.S. tour dates in support of it. It’s titled Fallen Angels and is the follow-up to Shadows in the Night, his 2015-released Frank Sinatra covers album. No other info on the album, such as the release date or tracklist, has been announced, although it could be another album of Sinatra covers. More
Father John Misty, HAIM, Death Cab For Cutie, Kurt Vile, Natalie Prass, Purity Ring, Pearl Jam, and Others
Jan 20, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Bonnaroo have announced their 2016 lineup. The festival goes down in Manchester, Tennessee from June 9-12 and this year, their 15th year, the lineup includes LCD Soundsystem, M83, Tame Impala, CHVRCHES, Father John Misty, HAIM, Death Cab For Cutie, Kurt Vile, Natalie Prass, Purity Ring, Pearl Jam, and many others. More
New Album One True Vine Out June 25
May 14, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Legendary gospel/soul artist Mavis Staples returns this summer with her newest album One True Vine, produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. More
Apr 08, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Gospel/soul artist Mavis Staples has announced the release of her newest studio effort, One True Vine. More
Reviews
May 24, 2019
By Matt Conner
For the better part of seven decades, the inimitable Mavis Staples has served us all as prophet and priest. At times, the gospel legend stands and sings from the periphery with a harsh prophetic voice, calling us all toward our better selves. More
Jul 03, 2013
By Dan Lucas
Proclaiming the merits of a gospel album from a singer whose public popularity peaked some 40 years ago and whose album is produced by a ‘90s alt-country singer (who, along with his son, also plays all the instruments), might normally be a tough task. More