Playback:stl Syndication http://www.playbackstl.com 2008-05-15T22:09:22+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png text/html 2008-05-15T11:15:58+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7617/158/ I labor to describe this because it was one of the most impressive displays by a band I have seen in a great while. It is also the “oh wow” effect that often is used when a band has little left to say. This is not the case with this show and this band. (Photo: Dominik Jansky) text/html 2008-05-14T14:11:29+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7614/157/ The album's most accessible song, More Than Alive left me speechless, which is ironic because there can't be enough said about this strangely epic tune. text/html 2008-05-14T14:05:24+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7612/157/ Brain Thrust Mastery offers a bit of everything: clever writing, memorable hooks and tight harmonies. text/html 2008-05-09T08:10:34+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7604/160/ Mamet’s characteristic style is on full display here. His characters use language as a weapon and means of deception, speaking in stylized, clipped patterns carefully crafted for effect, which is similar but not quite like the way anyone really talks. text/html 2008-05-09T08:03:49+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7603/160/ The strain of the deception weighs heavily on young Schlomo, who retreats into a silent ball of misery, punctuated by outbursts of violence. His life improves after adoption by a leftist French-Jewish couple, and gradually Schlomo comes out of his shell and starts to take part in life. text/html 2008-05-08T23:00:00+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7597/167/ Paris is a city for lovers and musicians, but what happens when you're both? Megumi Noda struggles to balance her love life and conservatory studies, but it's not easy when your conductor boyfriend becomes a star and starts touring all over Europe! text/html 2008-05-08T23:00:00+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7598/167/ What if the religious right, are right? This post-Rapture graphic novel tries to answer the question without playing out like Bible camp for heathens. text/html 2008-05-07T14:19:58+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7593/269/ Bored Games are fun! text/html 2008-05-07T09:03:09+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7591/156/ The 1990s saw female singer/songwriters enjoy some resurgence in popularity with the emergence of artists such as Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, and Jewel, as well as the success of the Lilith Fair concert tours. text/html 2008-05-07T08:51:06+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7587/157/ It's got that sound—that staggering, powerful combination of primal R'n'R ingredients exemplifying the form at its most artfully transcendent. text/html 2008-05-07T08:48:32+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7586/157/ While One Lone Car's musical aptitude is validated by an unnerving blend of edgy guitar hooks, bold bass, and mechanical drumming, their talent is broadened by another gift: smart, oppressing, honest lyrics. text/html 2008-05-01T23:00:00+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7576/167/ Identity, race, and prejudice mix with murder in this powerful new graphic novel, one of the best of the year so far. text/html 2008-04-25T08:36:43+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7555/157/ You pretty much know what you're in for after the astoundingly good first track, Lost Verses, which is eight or so minutes long but is elegant in a way that is hard to describe. text/html 2008-04-25T08:31:47+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7554/157/ In the album opener, Gautreau's voice sounds like a downtrodden Morrissey on a lazy day off, timidly bellowing personal thoughts through a tunnel of reverb. text/html 2008-04-25T08:26:43+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7552/160/ When Norah Jones was cast as the lead in My Blueberry Nights, the English language debut of maybe my favorite living director, Wong Kar-wai, I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. text/html 2008-04-17T09:12:03+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7522/62/ She's just so...wow. I'll shut up now. text/html 2008-04-17T09:05:59+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7521/158/ Mixing and blending influences you can get a glimpse of the world music rhythms and flow of Paul Simon, song craft from The Beatles, vocal and acoustic guitar nuances from James Taylor, jazz guitar improvisation like Pat Metheny, and extremely slick lead guitar playing in the style of Larry Carlton. I can't believe he hasn't caught on more nationally on a large scale level. text/html 2008-04-14T19:43:42+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7514/157/ And who can forget the brilliant Born Slippy from the Trainspotting soundtrack? text/html 2008-04-14T19:19:32+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7513/157/ The album's full of electronic beats (some of them harder than others), Gahan's strong and often manipulated vocals, and darkly sexual lyrics. text/html 2008-04-14T18:48:06+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7512/157/ I kind of want to be Radiohead and I'm really jealous I'm not Radiohead. text/html 2008-04-14T18:43:54+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7511/157/ We love to play. We love to write. We love to hang out with each other. text/html 2008-03-27T19:35:17+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7422/269/ The future of gaming is here and it's online now. The boys from Development Hell want to know, will you answer the call? text/html 2008-03-22T01:51:58+01:00 http://www.playbackstl.com http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7386/157/ Lucy Bland's first full-length album, Down to Sea Level, could definitely use some help staying afloat.