BY XAVIER JOHNSON Nostalgia is a powerful tool that bands use both consciously and subconsciously to affect their audiences in different ways. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, even though oftentimes peddling nostalgia for its own sake can yield lackluster results. When done right, playing upon the idealized past can …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON Brian Eno is an all-around artist. The 74-year-old English musician is a legendary name in the space due to his contributions to the art form. As a trailblazer, he’s created some of the most well-known ambient albums. His influence stretches beyond the music he creates, being one …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON Cal’s nightmarish October came to an end with a 42-24 defeat against the 8th-ranked Oregon Ducks (7-1, 5-0) Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium, extending the Golden Bears losing streak to four. Cal (3-5, 1-4), entered the matchup with Oregon on a skid, losing to Washington, Washington St, …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON It’s been a long time coming for fans of The Mars Volta, a progressive rock standout that broke up in 2012 and is back with a North American tour to support their new self-titled album. Their first tour in a decade is a journey through the group’s …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON With over 50 years in the music industry as a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer; Todd Rundgren is back with a new album, Space Force, that shifts the artistic focus from himself to an exploration of previously unfinished works by other artists. Fresh off being inducted into the …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON Hailing from Lettsworth, Louisiana, blues legend Buddy Guy is rolling on with a new album featuring a classic blues sound played by one of the genre’s most iconic elder statesmen. The 86-year-old guitarist and singer has done just about everything there is to do in music from …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON The history of jazz is filled with forward-thinking artists that pushed the envelope of music. One aspect of jazz that stands the test of time is its ability to define a tone. Envision a swanky high-class, smoke-filled bar. There’s instantly a kind of jazz that pops into …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON It’s been a long time coming for fans of The Mars Volta, a standout progressive rock band risen from the ashes of a post-hardcore juggernaut. After 10 years, they’re back together with a new self-titled record that’s a clean slate for the group. The Mars Volta was …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON Indie rock standouts Death Cab For Cutie just dropped their first studio album since the pandemic began, providing a comforting sound in the wake of a trying time. The band has defined the sound of indie rock throughout the 2000’s, rising to prominence with the landmark records …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON Longtime British reggae standouts UB40 have found themselves in a peculiar spot over the past ten years as a group. Following over 20 years of consistency, lead vocalist and guitarist Ali Campbell departed from the band in 2008. Campbell was followed by keyboardist Mickey Virtue and multi-instrumentalist …