at Benaroya

I'm not sure how it wasn't on my radar -- probably because the tickets went on sale back in August -- but I didn't hear about last Sunday's Rufus Wainwright show at Benaroya Hall until last Saturday. The announcement came over the KEXP airwaves as I was driving up Capitol Hill, subsequently almost taking me off the road. A few frantic calls and texts later, I had found some last-minute tickets about an hour before set time. Off to Benaroya it was.

more...

know we just got done with the 2008 lists, but this one's clamoring for my top compilation spot for '09 already!

more...

at The Paramount

"Yes, you will believe in love" after Rufus Wainwright's live show.

more...

Much of the album is gorgeous and over-the-top, but that is why we love Rufus, isn’t it?

more...

Again, showing that I can sometimes be out of touch with mainstream music, I was somewhat surprised to discover that not only did Linkin Park open at #1 this week on Billboard, but they did so with the biggest sales week for anybody in a long time. Minutes to Midnight sold well over 600,000 copies in its first week, proving that someone survived the late 90's rap-rock bloodshed (although I suppose Linkin Park is more prog-metal than rap-rock these days).

Anyway, other fun chart news include Wilco debuting at #4 with Sky Blue Sky, the triumphant return of MEGADETH to the top 10 with United Abominations (ha!) at #8, our TIG crush Rufus Wainwright's new one making it all the way up to #23 and another surprise, the solo debut of former Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan making it in at #77 with Are You Listening? Well, Dolores, apparently somebody still is.

It was standing room only, but was it ever worth it.

more...

Whatever you do, DON’T go to the Rufus Wainwright show at the Triple Door Monday night.

more...

Nothing says fun like biblical plagues! I mean, I'm sure the Pharaoh was having a blast, so why not make an entire album that sets the whole thing to music.

more...

at Hammerstein Ballroom

The "Bring 'Em Home Now!" concert featured an array of artists and activists, including Peaches, Michael Stipe, Bright Eyes, Rufus Wainwright, Cindy Sheehan, Iraq veterans, Fischerspooner, and Steve Earle.

more...