Autumn Souvenir

Whenever I listen to Slint, there's just something.....off. It's like watching The Shining ; you appreciate its brilliance but you feel like you should stop watching. Not necessarily out of fear of what's on screen, but for fear of where your mind is careening to. Slint's second and final record, Spiderland , is widely considered a masterpiece of indie/punk/sound/something. But again, it's almost impossible to describe. Four kids out of Louisville, Kentucky spit out something that must've come from the depths. And then they were done. But Spiderland was just finding its way. Twenty-plus years after their demise arrives the documentary Breadcrumb Trails . I watched tonight and although it's filled with interviews with band members, the mystery remains. It's briefly mentioned that one band member checked himself into a hospital immediately following completion of the record. But no explanation follows. All four members have gone onto different project...

It's been a pretty unreal year. I can't recall reflecting on a year and having such a long list of enriching experiences, some of which I never imagined possible. Here are a few of the highlights of the year 2013: Solid Sound Music Festival Three beautiful days in the quiet and rustic town of North Adams, MA. The selection of artists couldn't have been better: Wilco (x2), Low, Neko Case, Dream Syndicate, White Denim and many more. Wilco opened their "covers" set with a blistering take on Thin Lizzy's "The Boys are Back in Town" followed by Pavement's "Cut Your Hair." Probably the biggest surge of energy I've felt since Clarence joined Bruce onstage many years back in New Jersey. I've been to some great music festivals, but SS is far-and-away the best. From the music to the staff to the food to the pace, this is the perfect music festival. Friends and Family Spent a lot of time with friends near and far. The Rep...

1 Jason Isbell / Northeastern 2 Josh Ritter / The Beast In Its Tracks 3 Low / The Invisible Way 4 Neko Case / The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight... 5 Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis / Cheater's Game 6 Okkervil River / The Silver Gynmasium 7 Arcade Fire / Reflektor 8 Son Volt / Honky Tonk 9 Foxygen / We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic 10 Mavis Staples / One True Vine

In early 2012, former Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap suffered a massive stroke. This tragic turn resulted in one of the most heartfelt and collective reactions the music industry has seen in some time. Musicians ranging from Jakob Dylan, Steve Earle, Jeff Tweedy, Lucero, Joe Henry, Deer Tick and Patterson Hood, recorded some of  Slim's tracks, while former Replacements manager Peter Jesperson gathered all the material, placed the recordings on 7" singles and put them up for auction. The proceeds helped offset Slim's building medical expenses and may have played a role in Paul and Tommy getting The Replacements back for a few of their first shows in over two decades. Peter and a host of musicians came to the aid of one of their own. Beautifully done. We all wish Slim the best.  Songs for Slim

Despite having eight SXSW's under my belt, this weekend in the Berkshires is likely the best music event I've ever been to. Fantastic bands and exhibits, beautiful setting, wonderful staff, perfectly paced. And Wilco, my favorite band going on 20 years, played a full covers set that had me trembling, screaming and dancing for 2+ hours.

Clarence White : Low San Francisco : Foxygen Here Comes the Night : Arcade Fire Down Down the Deep River : Okkervil River I'm Not Sayin' : The Replacements Flying Over Water : Jason Isbell Cheater's Game : Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis So Sad : Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Dawn McCarthy Evil Eye : Josh Ritter Follow You Down : The New Mendicants One True Vine : Mavis Staples How Am I Ever Gonna Be Me : Scott Miller On a Balcony : Okkervil River Surrounded : Richard Buckner Cover Me Up : Jason Isbell Plastic Cup : Low City Swan : Neko Case Livin' On : Son Volt A Certain Light : Josh Ritter I'll Be Around : Yo La Tengo Get Lucky : Daft Punk New South Wales : Jason Isbell No Destruction : Foxygen Portrait : Richard Buckner The Ballad of the Opening Band : Jeff Tweedy