Critic's Notebook

You let some dude from Austin to win your stupid little competition. Way to go against the grain. –Pete Freedman…

Yep, today’s a pretty important next-day in American history, for fairly obvious reasons and all. And, no doubt, you were as glued to the TV as I was last night, obsessing over the coverage on various network and cable news channels. But it’s possible you didn’t catch what could go…

Just got off the phone with Club Dada co-owner Ben Tapia after receiving an anonymous tip (and also, in retrospect, an anonomiss tip) that Dada’s doors were locked by an outside party this morning. And turns out, yep, they had been–by Dada’s landlords at Westdale Proprety Management. “The doors are…

Consider this yet another reminder to get out and make your voice heard today–which, from the looks of it, isn’t that hard to do, as early voting seems to have taken care of the worst of the lines out at the various voting locations. Oh, and consider this post something…

And, in other news, Diddy turns 39 years old today… Whether you’ve grown weary of the political rhetoric or you just want to watch the returns come in while sipping a cold beverage and catching some good music, here are some concerts tonight that are potentially worthy of your interest…..

Calhoun, whose latest disc, Falter.Waver.Cultivate., I really enjoyed (along with plenty of other folks, if the “Press” section on the band’s Myspace page is, indeed, accurate), shows up on Paste magazine’s monthly compilation disc for the month of November–and with good placement, too: “Breathe,” the opening track from Falter.Waver.Cultivate., shows…

It started last week. Not one, but two respected labels sent out email blasts containing all the records they’ve released in the past year. Y’know, just one of those “in case you were looking to get ahead in your homework” type emails to help get us in the mindset of…

Yep. It’s true. Oh, and it’s vinyl-only (like Nova Posta) and the label’s first release will be a Fight Bite single. Also: The free launch party/concert to celebrate the new label is set to take place Friday night with Fight Bite, fellow new labelmates Darktown Strutters and Orange Coax, plus…

Alright, alright, alright… Three local country acts–Dallas’ Craig Boyd, Arlington’s Maren Morris, and Carrolton’s Chris Miller Band–have made the Top 10 in the Stetson Rocks competition, which aims to highlight Texas-bred country artists while, at the same time, supporting the Texas Music Project, an organization focused on improving music education…

That’s “Life is Better” above, the latest leaked single from Q-Tip’s upcoming disc, The Renaissance. And, in case you can’t pick up the hint from listening to the track, yep, that’s North Texas’ own Norah Jones taking care of the former Tribe leader’s chorus. Nice. Seems like Ms. Jones, who’s…

Since the cat’s now officially out of the bag on Halloween songs for your listening treat today, here are a couple more recommendations: Visit the Metal Bastard blog to get your free downloads of the Misfit’s “Halloween” and the Dropkick Murphys’ cover of it. And, sure, visit Johnny Lloyd Rollins’…

Since we’re clearly not getting any real work done today at this point, let’s just keep the Halloween theme going, mmkay? Check out the above Halloween exclusive from the Boss hisself: “A Night With The Jersey Devil.” Kind sounds like the Reverend Horton Heat, says Wilonsky. Sure does. And, iff’n…

Hardly breaking news, as a certain other local publication that’s been all over this band’s junk mentioned this, oh, about a week ago… But, ah hell, since it’s Halloween and all… Sometime Denton-based electronic dance duo Roy G and the Biv also has a special Halloween release to tout today…

Sorry there hasn’t been that much action here today…been busy tweaking and putting the finishing touches on my costume (which is a tandem of sorts with our art director’s). But we’re not the only ones with Halloween on our minds early this afternoon… For instance, check out this email that…

Looking for some authentically scary music to catch after all the candy is past out? We at DC-9 feel it’s our duty to guide you through the creepy streets this Friday. We already mentioned a couple in the paper this week, but here are some more cool Halloween shows that…

Fight Bite’s Leanne Macomber at the band’s CMJ showcase at Pianos in NYC. (Stereogum) Welcome home wishes are in order today for Fight Bite, Denton’s sometimes polarizing, but definitely (ahem) buzz-worthy act. The band recently returned to North Texas after taking to New York City to perform as part of…

Chicago’s interestingly titled, progressive pop trio, Oh My God, hits Hailey’s in Denton tonight for a show that also features Denton garage rockers We Are Villains. But it’s something of a miracle that Billy O’Neill and the rest of Oh My God are even making it to Texas. The act…

Fresh off the release of their pretty stellar EP, a message in the ol’ inbox this morning let’s us know that Taylor Young and John Pedigo’s The O’s have already earned themselves a record deal. Not that any of this is that surprising given the positive buzz the band’s been…

If this show still happens, it won’t be at Ohlook Theater. Well, that was fast. It took less than two months for Ohlook Theater, Jon Curlee’s DIY punk-rock venue in downtown Grapevine, to get shut down. It seems the building owners didn’t take kindly to some vandalism and subsequently put…

Sometimes–especially after listening to “A Hard Day’s Night”, we long for the ’60s pop days of old: catchy hooks, vocal harmonies and hand clapping sequences. Locksley is the latest modern-day act to attempt to fill that musical void. The songs on their first album, Don’t Make Me Wait, reissued September…

If you were wondering what is on Matt Kadane’s iPod, you’re in luck, as he’s the current Random Ruler for The AV Club. In case you’re unfamiliar with The AV Club, The Onion’s entertainment section, Random Rules is a feature wherein a musician puts his or her iPod on Shuffle…

It’s been a couple months now since 32-year-old Dallas native and Jesuit grad Wyatt Cenac launched into The Daily Show’s cast by proclaiming that “George Bush doesn’t care about Wyatt people”–and about the same amount of time has passed since Unfair Park talked to Cenac about his new(ish) gig. But,…