Helios and The One AM Radio at The Bootleg Theater, 1/10/10

The One AM Radio

Simplicity that

Flirted with stereotypes

But out-lovelied them

Helios

As though he weeded

Our mind's gardens and planted

His peaceful blossom

Atlas Sound at the Natural History Museum, 1/8/10

Even with guitars

Unintentionally sour,

It was still glowing.

Sun Araw at the Smell, 1/7/10

So much lushness from

Just one being that I hope

He keeps it solo

Best Coast, Dunes and Brilliant Colors at Synchronicity, 1/6/10

Dunes

This band sounds so much

Like a description of the

Genre, I craved more

Brilliant Colors

Heather Lewis vibe

That complimented her fun

Legacy smartly

Best Coast

They draw a crowd for

A reason: those melodies

Cannot be buried.

Rest in Peace, Vic Chesnutt

You're missed already.


"'Do you think you deserve it?' I say yes, in my way, yes."

Pocahaunted, James Ferraro and Mark McGuire at the Smell, 12/12/09

Mark McGuire

A patience with his
Craft that belied his youth, yet
Fostered youthful vim.

Pocahaunted

Picking up stride and
Laden with swagger within
The Smell's homey space

James Ferraro

Shady underhand
Maneuvers caused awe and brief
Hypnosis... well played!

Jonathan Richman at the Mint, 12/10/09

Innocent genius

His melancholy in check

Tonight, brought just joy.

Califone at the Billy Wilder Theater at UCLA, 12/9/09

Impeccable taste
Governed every sonic flare,
Each sweet melody

Baroness and Earthless at the Troubadour, 12/3/09

Earthless

A rhythm section

With scalpel-like precision

Fascinated us

Baroness

Tireless, relentless

Their passionate sound drove, like

Stakes into our hearts.

Vic Chesnutt with War Paint and Liz Durrett at the Echoplex, 12/1/09

Liz Durrett

Sarah McLachlan

But with Vashti Bunyan's sense

Of woodsy intrigue

War Paint

I was not alone

In my surprise and delight

With their quality.

Vic Chesnutt

Loquacious frontman

Evoked tears and laughter, a

Cathartic pleasure