Stories by Elliot Alpern
Glass pipes are a hot commodity in Ann Arbor
- Allison Kruske/Daily
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
But despite its difficulty and the patience required to obtain the right set of skills, blowing glass pipes is a career unlike any other. Like with any form of art, there is no level of perfection for what you can put in to your work.
Single Review: 'DoYaThing' barely manages to do its thing
- Converse
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
The beat is awkward, Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn tries and fails at rapping, and James Murphy sings a weird, warbling chorus. But then, two minutes in, André 3000 takes the reins of the whole song.
Notebook: 2012 summer festivals to bring the heat and the music
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
As one can clearly see, 2012 is going to be an exceptional year for live music. So dust off your worst pair of shoes and start saving up — the festivities are about to begin.
Single Review: Decemberists return from hiatus with underwhelming track for 'The Hunger Games'
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
As far as movie soundtrack songs go, one could do far worse than “One Engine,” but in holding it up against previous Decemberists efforts, the track pales in comparison.
Single Review: White interrupts recording hiatus with bluesy sound
- Columbia
BY BY ELLIOT ALPERN
Rolling Stone’s 17th-ranked guitarist was nowhere to be found, despite still being a member of two other bands. There was a collaboration here, a cameo there, but nothing that truly came from the legendary man himself.
Chris Cornell goes back to basics with acoustic 'Songbook'
- Universal
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
"Songbook" allows Chris Cornell to do what he does best: scream sometimes, lilt softly at others and altogether flex his vocal muscles.
My rocky love affair with the Decemberists
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
About four years ago, I alighted upon the love of my life. We had been introduced by a mutual friend, and though the two of us were caught up in our own separate lives, there was an air of inevitability to our acquaintance.
Eternal wanderer Cass McCombs doesn't take enough of a 'Risk'
- Domino
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
What springs forth in Humor Risk is a hodgepodge of mild, often listless pieces blending into each other, creating a structurally sound album lacking in diversity.
On Halloween, remembering the spooky deaths of beloved rock stars
- Universal
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
As a culture, we idolize our rock stars. So when they die — often in strange or mysterious ways — it makes it all the spookier. And boy, do we have our share of strange rock star deaths, be they creepy or accidentally hilarious.
Coldplay not getting old yet on 'Mylo Xyloto'
- Parlophone
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
Eventually, one must realize that it’s almost always the same, be that favorable or abrasive. As much as the band changes, it never really differs. It’s Coldplay — don’t overthink it.
