Erik Wood

18 Sep 2008

Metallica attempts to compensate for previous album

Almost half a decade after a disastrous release in Metallica’s eighth studio album, “St. Anger,” the Los Angeles thrashers are back with their ninth album, an attempt to regain those fans who failed to remain faithful listeners after what many […]

21 Sep 2007

Celebrity punishment fails to promote integrity

Celebrities and professional athletes receive a treatment from the American judicial system that flatters their popularity. They have been made examples of, yet most continue living their outrageously overcompensated lifestyles.

07 Dec 2006

Ruthless band considered noise

At first, I had no idea what to expect. That is, until I noticed the label’s name -- Loonatix productions -- and I knew I was in for something. I just didn’t know what that something was.

30 Nov 2006

Blink-182 members play different tunes

It’s been approximately three and half years since the humor-filled SoCal punk band has dropped new material ... as Blink-182, that is.

16 Nov 2006

New Jay-Z album not as good as previous releases

The rebirth of hip-hop is here, according to Jay-Z. Only three years after retiring from his former label, the self-proclaimed “King,” and now “Savior of Hip-Hop,” is back with Kingdom Come.

26 Oct 2006

Senses Fail ‘Still Searching’ for good music in new album

In an ever-changing musical world, bands nowadays seem to think change is necessary for success. Don’t stick with the same sound -- people get bored. The sad thing is it’s true.

19 Oct 2006

Never Shave Again Tour gets wild crowd

Fine Line Music Café. Oct. 14. The Never Shave Again Tour. A line-up of bands Silverstein, Aiden, along with The Devil Wears Prada, and The Stick Up. With the tour just beginning a day prior in Milwaukee, each band gave […]

12 Oct 2006

Trivium improves sound, riffs on album

“The Crusade” has finally arrived. Florida’s insane, trilling, metal rocking four-piece band Trivium is back and smashing onto the scene with its third album release. Following the explosive second album “Ascendancy,” which easily sold more than 100,000 copies and then […]

05 Oct 2006

‘Boneclouds’ blends sounds

Honolulu-born 30-year-old Mason Jennings is coming here to River Falls this Friday for the AIDS benefit along with Consolation Champ. Right out of Minneapolis, his most recent album, “Boneclouds,” has many similarities to other artists, such as James Blunt and Jack Johnson.

28 Sep 2006

Performing band deemed good background music

I’ve got to ask you what’s better, buying albums for the first listen or seeing a band live? I think the answer to the question is completely rhetorical. I suppose I could be wrong though. Personally, if I can attend […]