Robert Christgau

Aesop Rock And Kimya Dawson Showcase Their Strengths

Robert Christgau — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:16:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q_7fT-vSXU

Marc Ribot Isn't Trying To Comfort Anyone

Robert Christgau — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:52:00 +0000

After six years as a sideman for many soul veterans, Marc Ribot made his name in 1985 with Rain Dogs, the album that marked Tom Waits' permanent transition from eccentric singer-songwriter to truly weird singer-songwriter. Ribot has held down straight gigs since then, but his work has tended toward the avant-garde.

Jonny Fritz: A Country Jester Gets Personal

Robert Christgau — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:59:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2_RIg0vZPQ

Homeboy Sandman: A Rapper Leaves Law Behind

Robert Christgau — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:08:00 +0000

The bare facts of Homeboy Sandman's back story don't sound very hip-hop: prep school in New Hampshire, Ivy League B.A., even some pieces for The Huffington Post. But, as is often the case with class and race in America, bare facts don't tell the whole story.

Sandman's Dominican-born father was a gifted heavyweight who quit boxing to become a lawyer. His Puerto Rican mom graduated from college around the time her son was winning his third scholarship, this time to law school.

By This 'Beak And Claw,' A Trio Shall Synthesize

Robert Christgau — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Sufjan Stevens is a classically trained singer-songwriter whose recent work has leaned symphonic. Son Lux is a classically trained beatmaker whose solo albums do indeed evoke luxury. Serengeti is a self-trained rapper who creates voices for a panoply of full-fledged characters who range from scufflers to yuppies.

Jeffrey Lewis: Cosmic And Tongue-In-Cheek 'Dream-Songs'

Robert Christgau — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:36:00 +0000

Jeffrey Lewis is my homeboy. The prolific anti-folk singer-songwriter has lived less than a mile from where I live on the Lower East Side since he was born in 1975. Difference is, I moved to Avenue B as an adult, while he's a native — his dad is a Brooklyn-born motorcycle mechanic who hung with local politicos and musicians.

As a hereditary hippie, Lewis has always dug songs that drift off in vaguely Buddhist notions of existential displacement and eternal recurrence.

Woody Guthrie's 'Note Of Hope' From Beyond The Grave

Robert Christgau — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:57:00 +0000

When Woody Guthrie died in 1967, he left behind an enormous cache of unpublished lyrics and prose, which has resulted in an exceptionally rich posthumous career. Bob Dylan, who should know, has written of Guthrie: "He was so poetic and tough and rhythmic. There was so much intensity, and his voice was like a stiletto." Though I probably shouldn't admit it, I rarely listen to Woody Guthrie for pleasure.

Mates Of State: Reaching Surprising New 'Mountaintops'

Robert Christgau — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:32:00 +0000

Mates of State's members are literally mates: Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel have been a duo since 1996, married since 2001, and parents on tour since 2004. Their basic concept is two strong voices, Gardner's slightly predominant, over her keyboards and Hammel's drums. Over the years, the band has expanded its instrumental range and brought in guests for sonic color.