Go Outside and Listen to the New British Sea Power Album

British Sea Power’s new record Machineries of Joy is out this week, and it’s everything you’d hope for from one of the most underappreciated and upbeat indie rock acts of the last few years. Marking ten years since their debut The Decline of British Sea Power, Machineries of Joy beguiles…

Sigur Ros at Verizon Theatre, 4/8/13: Review and Photos

It’s nothing short of astonishing that an ambient Icelandic band who don’t sing in English or write songs in a verse-chorus structure are filling arenas across the US. Some of the next acts to play this same arena are Shinedown, The Lumineers, Styx and the Killers. Sigur Ros are a…

The Five Worst British Import Bands

While we might have done some wonderful things for y’all with Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and Radiohead, we have also sent you some terrible crimes against music. And while none of this really compares to Canada foisting Avril Lavigne and Nickleback on you, it’s still not great. I’m…

Guerrilla Barbecue in a Carrollton Parking Lot

When I say to you “pop-up restaurant,” you might envision such things as an experienced chef temporarily occupying an artful and attractive space in a prime location somewhere to try out a new concept or two. Perhaps you think of a fun new approach to dining testing out the commercial…

Redneck Sushi — A Guide to Triple-Fusion

Now, let’s say you want to combine the heavy, meat-based joys of barbecue with the relatively light, raw fish-based delights of sushi. You’re clearly having a boring day. Nothing’s gone right for you so far. You tried combining Vietnamese and Mexican food. That fell down at the pho burrito. Korean…

This St. Patrick’s Day, Eat Some Traditional Irish Food

You want to appear the most Irish out of all your friends, right? That’s kind of the point. St Patrick’s Day is a “who can tenuously claim the most Irish heritage” festival. Well, my friend, have I got the solution for you. Here is some entirely true traditional Irish food…

Smokey Jack’s Free Beer-B-Q

Beer is a lovely word. We can all agree on that. Beer. There it is. If you had to add an adjective in front of such a glorious noun with the aim of improving it further, what would it be? Delicious? Cheap? Gold-plated? What about free?! FREE BEER. That is…

Eels at Granada Theater: Review

Eels offered up a set delivered in matching tracksuits at the Granada last night in celebration of their new album Wonderful, Glorious. And it was a celebration, as a clearly contented and happy band offered up new tracks and re-imaginings of old. I’ve seen Eels a few times now, and…

Your 35 Denton Survival Kit

The Dallas Observer cannot guarantee you survive 35 Denton, due to the presence of giant amp stacks, drugs, rattlesnakes and sludge metal fans. It can, however, provide you two scientifically proven lists (disclaimer — lists are in no way scientifically tested) which are guaranteed (guarantee void in Denton, Texas) to…

An Englismn Goes Dwntwn fr Baby Back Shak

I have tried to get to Baby Back Shak so many times. It keeps eccentric hours for someone who lives far away, and I’ve just never managed to sort it out. The other day though, I found myself in southern Dallas with an hour to kill, and hey presto. I…