Kathleen Edwards at The Varsity Theater on 5/2/08

By: David Rachac
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Kathleen Edwards - Photo by Alexa Jones I can’t say that I was totally enamored by Kathleen Edwards’ latest CD Asking For Flowers – compared to previous efforts, too many songs seemed overly orchestrated and subdued, custom-made for appearances on “Grey’s Anatomy” or NPR, but with only a couple of songs that allowed Edwards to let her inner Tom Petty out. Mix my weak enthusiasm...

Elbow at Fine Line Music Café on 4/30/08

By: David de Young
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   Elbow - publicity photo from their MySpace As the strains of “Starlings,” the opening track off their new album The Seldom Seen Kid began to play, Elbow emerged one member at a time onto the Fine Line Music Cafe stage in Minneapolis Wednesday – first each of their two tour string players, who also double as backup singers, then the band itself, each member bearing a trum...

The Acorn at 7th Street Entry on 4/26/08

By: Travis Even
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  The Acorn - Photo by Travis Even Born several years ago as the solo project of Ottawa musician Rolf Klausener, The Acorn has blossomed over the course of four recordings into a talented sextet. This 7th St. Entry show marked the fourth day of the group's inaugural American tour in which they ventured south to support their newest full-length Glory Hope Mountain. T...

Kraftwerk at The Rave / Eagles Club on 4/20/08

By: Almostred
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Robots - Photo by Almostred “Three German guys walk into a bar…”   There is a very short list of bands that I would go out of my way to see anymore, and Kraftwerk is near the top of that list. An inexplicably routed three-date Midwestern warm-up for Coachella brought them to the Myth in Maplewood last weekend, a show I missed because of a prior obligation. Lu...

Saul Williams with Dragons of Zynth at The Varsity Theater on 4/19/08

By: Mary Rea
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When an edgy, innovative, boundary blurring and visionary artist like Saul Williams makes a tour stop in the Twin Cities, I secretly give thanks to the live music gods and goddesses (who surely conspire with the Varsity Theater and their producing partners) for booking acts that influence and inspire local music-lovers and musicians alike. For despite our virtual access to great live footage, there’s nothing like the first appearance of...

The Current Fakebook featuring Chuck D with Brother Ali and Slug at Fitzgerald Theater on 4/19/08

By: Jen Paulson
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Chuck D started his Minneapolis weekend presenting the new Public Enemy documentary at the Oak Street Cinema on Friday night as an event for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Film Festival, rounding it out with the anticipated music and interview event that is Fakebook. An evening with the rap music innovator, activist and artist had been announced months back and induced quite the flurry of excitement.   Chuck D and B...

Man Man & Yeasayer at The Varsity Theater on 4/18/08

By: Jon Behm
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Photo by Jon Behm What’s become of our nation’s hippies? Just a few years back it seemed that there was nothing they liked better than to enjoy some good music, fun times and lethargy inducing drugs. Now, at the Man Man concert on Friday night I find that I am fighting these same long-haired former pacifists for my life. Did someone lace their mushrooms with rage-inducing steroids? I...

The Lonely H with a Night in the Box at Uptown Bar and Café on 4/5/08

By: David Rachac
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   The Lonely H at the Uptown - Photo by David de Young Virtually every interview or review of a show by the Port Angeles, WA band The Lonely H comes down to two things: “Damn, these guys are young” and “Damn, these guys sound like Queen/Zeppelin/Skynyrd/Creedence/All of the above.” So let me get it out of the way early – yes indeed, these four guys are barely...

Nada Surf with Sea Wolf at First Avenue on 4/3/08

By: David de Young
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Nada Surf at First Avenue - Photo by Stacy Schwartz “It’s a lot easier to build a great rock and roll set out of a great set of great rock and roll songs,” I noted following Nada Surf’s 2005 performance at the 400 Bar. Having been around a while now - they formed in 1992 – the band has an abundance of great songs to choose from for their live sets.&n...

Vampire Weekend at Triple Rock Social Club on 4/3/08

By: Jon Behm
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Vampire Weekend - Photo by Jon Behm One of the music scene’s most hotly anticipated shows came to pass last night at the Triple Rock: Brooklyn sensation Vampire Weekend’s very first Twin Cities performance. The band’s recent almost biblical ascension to the upper echelons of indie rock has led to a huge number of instant fans, as well as a heavy and dedicated backlash by those who are deep...