The Records News

Jesus Hellcat Christ. You ate too much, drank too much, and listened to too much banal and/or infuriating chitchat from relatives whom you, thankfully, rarely see.

Back in May, Damon Dash , Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and Jay-Z 's old business partner placed a call to some new friends: singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Pat Carney, they of Akron -spawned bluesy rock duo the Black Keys .

The face of the music industry is changing. As major record labels fall on hard times and popular music is splintered into seemingly infinite genres, new opportunity has opened up for independent artists and labels.

Keb' Mo' has never been a man who wants to become a victim of comfort. As proof, the three-time Grammy-winning bluesman left Epic Records to release his new album Live and Mo' on his own independent label.

Hovering on the verge of their 20th anniversary, The Mother Hips have just released their seventh studio effort, Pacific Dust , and, to the surprise of no one who's spent a little time with their work, it's another end-to-end pop-rock jewel.

CLOSE Music Reviews Casting Crowns has cultivated quite a following since they released their self-titled debut six years ago.

Fekadu, Mesfin - In this CD cover image released by Jive Records, Kris Allen's self titles debut CD is shown.

You listen to Endless Hallway's debut album "Autonomy Games" for a first time, and there are elements that jump out at you: the slashing guitars of "Autonomy Barrier," the aching vocals of "Grey Flats," the lock-step bass/drums rhythm of "Gamma," the trippy chorus that breaks up the frenzy of "Solvency." Then you listen again and you realize ...

Rising alt-pop rock artist Lorissa Chapa will make a special two-night appearance as the headline performer for Myrtlestock 2009 on Friday at Senor Frogs and Saturday at Drink.

If you've listened to contemporary radio anytime since last summer, you've likely heard "OK, It's Alright With Me," or "Rock and Roll" by singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson.

The Almost Monster Monster Label: Tooth and Nail Records Check out: "Hands," "Monster," "Hand Grenade" Underoath drummer, Aaron Gillespie, returns with his pop-rock extension project, which has seemingly turned into a pop-folk project with "Monster." The album is lively, acoustic and full of Gillespie's positive lyrics and soothing voice.

The imprint that pop songstress Christina Courtin left on her hometown could be measured by the young group of admirers who attended her seated show Friday night in the Tralf.

In April, Merge Records released SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Covers , a collection filled with non-Merge artists covering Merge songs .

Merge Records has confirmed a Jan. 26 U.S. release of Spoon 's seventh-full length album, Transference .

Downhere recently took home nine trophies during the 31st Annual Covenant Awards in Canada after the Centricity Records pop/rock band garnered 11 nominations.

From radio airplay on Los Angeles' KROQ to a headlining show at The Roxy , newly-formed pop-rock band Saint Motel has been generating a substantial amount of buzz throughout the music scene ever since the band released their debut album, ForPlay , earlier this year off of On The Records .

Hot Chip DJ Set at Avalon Were this virtually any other band, we'd be tempted to call tonight's show "just a DJ set," but the London electronicdance pop quintet's rambunctious, infectious sensibilities and influences are so varied and fun that anyone looking for a sweaty Hallow's Eve on a packed dance floor would be well advised to hit this party, ...

It's been a good year for Steve Conte fans. Last May the Matawan native, along with his fellow New York Dolls, released the powerhouse Todd Rundgren-produced album ' 'Cause I Sez So,' Conte's second studio album with the band and the band's fourth studio LP overall.

It's hard to know where to begin with San Francisco-based trombonist Wayne Wallace .

Clinton Charlton working hard after Parade release, guitar sponsorship. A1 Craig Pinhey Clinton Charlton is lauded in local music circles.