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Matt Rowe
Columnist, The Morton Report
Covering Music News, Reviews
Follow @musictap
Articles From Matt Rowe
Monday Jun 17, 2013 10:00 PM ET
On their third album, they not only hit the ball out of the park, they firmly cement the band's foothold as more than a side project.
Wednesday Jun 12, 2013 15:00 PM ET
In 2007, HELP! was released as a restored DVD to fairly universal appreciation. But this is 2013, and a new kid on the block, Blu-ray, has supplanted DVD in almost every quarter. Last year, Yellow Submarine, and Magical Mystery Tour were restored to Blu-ray standards and Beatles fans everywhere were rightfully ecstatic.
Saturday Jun 8, 2013 50:00 AM ET
Lightning Dust is a side project of Black Mountain, fueled by two components of the band. There's Amber Webber (the awesome Amber Webber), a vocalist who is a modern day version of Grace Slick, and Joshua Wells.
Thursday Jun 6, 2013 10:00 PM ET
Most people would consider Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to be one of Elton John's most satisfying albums. With two LPs filled with 17 songs, four of them Top 20 hits, it's certainly his most successful, having sold well over seven million units.
Wednesday Jun 5, 2013 20:00 PM ET
Sting has written more than a few songs to accompany his play called The Last Ship. And while the production is not expected on Broadway until 2014, the album of original songs will arrive much sooner.
Tuesday Jun 4, 2013 50:00 PM ET
It's been 35 years since the classic original lineup of Black Sabbath recorded a full-length album together.
Tuesday Jun 4, 2013 45:00 PM ET
It really doesn't take long to recognize the songs found on John Fogerty's latest release, Wrote a Song for Everyone. Why? Well, it's because a large portion of the songs found on this album are re-recorded versions of songs from a once popular band, Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Tuesday Jun 4, 2013 30:00 PM ET
The music of Lycia is as unique as it is important. This is where institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame fail. Given the limited array of nominations every year, the probability of inclusion and the short-sightedness of the committee creates a black hole of worthy potential nominees that have changed the landscape of music, but are rarely noticed for their incredible contributions.
Thursday May 30, 2013 40:00 PM ET
A new trend these days is the use of a crowd-funding service called Kickstarter. The intent is to allow the world at large to contribute to a unrealized vision. Many bands have successfully used the service to fund the recording, manufacture, and release of music that might have otherwise never seen the light of day.
Friday May 24, 2013 10:00 AM ET
In Steve Hoffman's long and storied career, he has put his touch on hundreds of classic recordings, turning them into something better than they may have been before. But mastering is an art form and no simple piece of cake to undertake.
Thursday May 16, 2013 50:00 PM ET
The respected blues powerhouse that is Buddy Guy has added another feather in his illustrious cap by the discovery of magical guitarist, Quinn Sullivan. The real surprise? The kid's only 14-years old.
Wednesday May 15, 2013 35:00 PM ET
Five years before his untimely death, Elvis Presley entered the Stax recording studios in Memphis to record a series of tracks over the stretch of 12 days split into two sessions in July and December of 1973.
Saturday May 11, 2013 20:00 AM ET
How I Met Your Mother has been nominated for 24 Emmy awards over its run, with a solid win of seven of the category awards. With most successful shows, the main casts are often shored up with peripheral characters that add to the charms of the story lines. How I Met Your Mother is no exception.
Thursday Apr 25, 2013 05:00 PM ET
Back in the early '70s, after the devastating loss of both Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley to motorcycle accidents, the Allman Brothers Band pushed forward to continue creating the music that they were known and loved for.
Wednesday Apr 17, 2013 10:00 PM ET
The sisters are being recognized, perhaps faster than they anticipated, especially since Madeleine has college on her agenda.
Tuesday Mar 12, 2013 10:00 PM ET
Originally released in 1996, this haunting soundtrack has set a standard for vocal/ambient music that proves that created sounds can explore the depth and expanse of human emotion — in this case, total abject fear.
Wednesday Mar 6, 2013 25:00 AM ET
Rumours is the one Fleetwood Mac album that everyone remembers, the one album that touched a soft spot in more than 20+ million listeners.
Wednesday Feb 27, 2013 05:00 PM ET
And so, with the now anticipated return of Iggy and The (almost complete) Stooges, many fans are going to receive a gift that they may have thought would never materialize. Ready to Die will be released by the cutting edge independent label, Fat Possum.
Saturday Feb 23, 2013 35:00 PM ET
Many things can be said about Alabama Shakes and their important singer/guitarist, Brittany Howard. One thing, however stands out — if you have caught any of their live performances, or own the debut album, you are witness to greatness.
Wednesday Feb 20, 2013 10:00 PM ET
It's always a pleasure to run across a band that has created new music with an ear to the past. One of these bands, the cleverly named The Mary Onettes, hail from Sweden.
Monday Feb 11, 2013 20:00 AM ET
The Strokes lit up the skyline in New York City with their favorably received RCA Records debut, Is This It, back in 2001. Then, their album sparked interest not only from the critics but also from a developing fan base that found many of the songs on Is This It exactly what they wanted to hear.
Wednesday Feb 6, 2013 50:00 PM ET
Being interested in how Audio Fidelity works and their focus on providing the best sound that can be extracted from decades-old master tapes, I interviewed Marshall Blonstein to gain new insights into where Audio Fidelity is going and what could possibly be next from his historic label.
Monday Feb 4, 2013 40:00 AM ET
Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective will stand as a tribute to one of the most influential guitarist in the history of rock music. Fans of Duane Allman will, no doubt, be enraptured by this collection of rare and important pieces of brilliance.
Monday Jan 28, 2013 20:00 PM ET
English musician Steven Wilson is a rare individual in the music world. In a time where bigger than life rock personas are few and far between, Wilson is one who could be referred to as such.
Wednesday Jan 23, 2013 30:00 PM ET
Yoko Ono will have a busy 2013 with the expected reissue of her albums from 1968 through 1985. Also on her busy calendar will be the release of a career-spanning art book, Infinite Universe at Dawn, which will highlight 60 years of Yoko Ono art. She will also curate the 2013 Meltdown Festival at Southbanke Centre that will take place in June.
Wednesday Jan 23, 2013 05:00 PM ET
If you have an affinity for some of that psychedelia from the early years, and you appreciate the growing psychedelic movement, then The Black Angels are a band that you should not ignore.
Tuesday Jan 22, 2013 00:00 AM ET
Of course, there are many locales that produce fine music. The small group that I have mentioned here are just notable starting places. As an interesting poll-like experiment, I'd be interested in discovering which location that you turn to for your idea of good music!
Saturday Jan 19, 2013 20:00 PM ET
With a voice shockingly reminiscent of jazz greats Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, but with a mix of its own, Madeleine Peyroux can charm the listener like no one else alive can. Did I just get your attention? Hopefully, I did.
Thursday Jan 17, 2013 25:00 PM ET
Comprised of Jessica Davies, and Katherine Blamire, friends since their high school days in Sussex but now based in London, their modern brand of folk brings to mind that genre's classic days from many decades earlier.
Tuesday Jan 15, 2013 30:00 AM ET
If you were paying any attention to the splashes of New Wave music back in the '80s, then there is a name that you may remember. Orchestral Manouvres In The Dark, or, as they became more popularly known, OMD.
Monday Jan 14, 2013 40:00 PM ET
Black Sabbath is an icon of sorts for all of heavy metal. Using a approach unique at the time, they embraced a horror theme that explored societal ills and injustices, writing songs of discontent and occultism, and wrapping the entire package in an explosive, bluesy metal that won them a massive fan base.
Friday Jan 11, 2013 10:00 PM ET
"We all felt that we had changed the musical landscape a little at that time."
Monday Jan 7, 2013 00:00 PM ET
These days, it's increasingly difficult for longtime established artists to remain relevant. Many lose the edge, some musically and some lyrically. Kris Kristofferson is not one of these. In fact, he has gotten better at his craft, much better.
Thursday Dec 13, 2012 55:00 PM ET
In 1975, the new lineup started as if anew and titled their latest album with just their name, Fleetwood Mac. That album would catapult the band and sell upwards of five million units.
Thursday Nov 8, 2012 15:00 PM ET
The big news for progressive rock fans is the upcoming release of a 40th Anniversary Edition of "2112," the essential Rush album originally released way back in 1976. The title will be reissued in several enticing formats.
Thursday Oct 11, 2012 40:00 PM ET
These days, anniversary packages have become a norm for classic album sellers from way, way back. However, not all anniversary packages are the same.
Monday Oct 8, 2012 00:00 AM ET
By the time "The Gift" was released in 1982, the band was in disarray. The band's chief songwriter, Paul Weller, had taken the band in various directions away from their starting punk style and into more intricate hybrids of styles, which did not sit well with members Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler.
Friday Oct 5, 2012 45:00 PM ET
The 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees have been announced. This year's hopefuls include the obvious, with the often ignored Rush making the ballot. But as the Hall of Fame often does, they also have inane selections, this year with Joan Jett (who might win, believe it or not).
Monday Oct 1, 2012 20:00 PM ET
It's no surprise that Slowhand will be re-released in a 35th Anniversary Edition with the contents of the album being remastered. While there is not yet any information about what extras will be included, fans are sure to be happy.
Thursday Sep 27, 2012 50:00 PM ET
A thorough evaluation of Eno's contributions to music would have to be exhaustive and would take more pages than you have patience for. Suffice it to say, that Brian Eno is well-traveled musically.
Wednesday Sep 26, 2012 20:00 PM ET
Between the magnificent "What's Going On" and the sizzle of "Let's Get It On," Gaye released a stunning soundtrack to the film "Trouble Man."
Monday Sep 24, 2012 10:00 PM ET
Recently, Reznor announced this new music project with very little news other than to state simply that the collective would release a new six-track EP, which will predate the arrival of the band's full-length album expected some time in the spring of 2013.
Thursday Sep 20, 2012 20:00 PM ET
This generational hybrid of heavy metal rock is good for all who find their joys in the loud guitar attacks, bass-crunching, and heavy drumming that is typical of metal rock and roll.
Tuesday Sep 18, 2012 40:00 PM ET
The Nylon Curtain is considered by many fans to be a masterpiece in Joel's catalog. The album spawned several hits as well as several intense FM staples during its time on the charts.
Friday Sep 14, 2012 50:00 PM ET
October Project is a band that delivers exquisite vocals and beautiful songs, all sparkling in their mystery.
Monday Sep 10, 2012 10:00 PM ET
It used to be, on a large scale, that UK bands commanded an incredible amount of attention in the US. That doesn't really seem much the case anymore, which is surprising considering the amount of interesting rock music that is coming from England.
Thursday Sep 6, 2012 45:00 PM ET
In 2003, John Cale released HoboSapiens, which yielded "Zen," a song that carries itself well with intriguing verses, hypnotic percussion, and challenging music. (You really should check that song out!)
Wednesday Sep 5, 2012 55:00 PM ET
Go ahead and sneer. We have all seen umpteen 'best of' Rolling Stones collections in various sequencing patterns, and most noticeably, incomplete sets. Many leave out important tracks (usually the one that you love the most) or they put them in but it's a live version of what you want so bad to be studio.
Tuesday Sep 4, 2012 50:00 PM ET
You have a chance to win a copy of this box set courtesy of EMI Records and The Morton Report. Read the article for details on how to win.
Monday Jul 9, 2012 25:00 AM ET
It has been recently announced that Steven Wilson would be responsible for the remix of two Emerson, Lake & Palmer albums, the eponymous Emerson, Lake & Palmer from 1970, and its follow-up, Tarkus, from 1971.
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