Alt. Rock

MGMT on tour in full colour

“We’re not the most animated performers,” Benjamin Goldwasser admits. Which is why MGMT is unleashing its “Optimizer” on tour. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT bring their five-piece band to the Sound Academy on Saturday Nick Krewen Music Published on Wed Dec 04 2013 To the relief of MGMT fans everywhere, Andrew VanWyngarden is healthy again. After dislocating his shoulder for the umpteenth time (as a result of a…


Peter Gabriel, Elton John and Sting’s new CDs: review

Peter Gabriel, Elton John and Sting’s new CDs: review Sting and Elton at least strive to be relevant with The Last Ship and The Diving Board, which can’t be said for Gabriel’s And I’ll Scratch Yours Elton John The Diving Board is largely focused on his still strong voice and his piano, says reviewer Nick Krewen. By: Nick Krewen Music, Published on Tue Sep 24 2013     There was…


Arctic Monkeys evolve with AM

The popular U.K. indie foursome, who play Toronto’s Kool Haus Sunday, has notably altered their sound. By: Nick Krewen Music, Published on Fri Sep 13 2013 It’s a new dawn for Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys. A little more than 10 years in, the popular U.K. indie foursome has notably altered their sound on its new album, AM, some of which singer and guitarist Alex Turner, guitarist Jamie Cook, bass player Nick…


Robyn Hitchcock at the Drake Underground: interview

Hitchcock has collaborated with some of the world’s great rock stars, but still comes across as modestly his own guy Robyn Hitchcock plays the Drake Underground Sept. 3 and 4. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Sat Aug 31 2013 He’s the master of the tangent. In a profession where definitive statements can be taken with a grain of salt, it’s safe to say there’s no recording artist out there quite…


Gogol Bordello finds ‘pure life’ plundering folk traditions

‘It’s simply one huge musical bundle,’ says Eugene Hutz, leader of Gogol Bordello, coming to Toronto on Aug. 19 and 20. Nick Krewen Music, Special To The Star, Published on Mon Aug 19 2013     Tarantellas, polonaises, tangos and waltzes — spouting healthy blasts of accordion and violin — rarely factor into any popular rock ’n’ roll configuration these days, and that suits Eugene Hutz just fine. For nearly…