Many musical acts have gotten their start at UNC, but few have won a Grammy James Taylor has, maybe others. The men of the Steep Canyon Rangers, however, are proud to have that distinction.
Campfire and Constellations is a local country rock band packed with heart and a lot of grit. From instruments ranging from mandolins and banjos to heavy bass and guitars, their sound could best be described as Lefty Frizzell on methamphetamine.
Basia Bulat is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose songs have an unusual instrumental foundation with the autoharp. Diversions Editor Allison Hussey talked to Bulat about her history with the her instrument and her growth as an artist.
The Last Danger ??1/2 Punk Danger, the first album The Last has produced in 17 years, blends styles of punk rock from the past four decades into a record that is easy on the ears for anyone who has the slightest taste for the genre.
Magik Markers Surrender to the Fantasy ???? Noise rock Noisily scratchy at times and hauntingly calm at others, Magik Markers’ latest release successfully toes the line between inspired noise rock and grating industrial sounds. Distortion and intricate instrumentation rule this album and, even with the band’s unbelievably extensive discography, Surrender to the Fantasy is a real masterstroke.
Zack Mexico Ephemera of Altruisms ???1/2 Rock Outer Banks natives Zack Mexico’s new album Ephemera of Altruisms embodies the true rock ‘n’ roll spirit, intertwining dreamy horror sounds with a sci-fi beach party theme.
Boogarins As Plantas Que Curam ???? Tropicalia Rock Brazilian duo Fernando Almeida and Benke Ferraz channel the lost sounds of ‘60s tropical, psychedelic rock in its debut album As Plantas Que Curam.
About Time ????1/2 Despite the misleading marketing, “About Time” is less a film about romantic love and time travel, and more a film about the bond between father and son and learning to appreciate life as it is.
Thor: The Dark World ????1/2 In Marvel Studios’ second film since its game-changing blockbuster “The Avengers,” “Thor: The Dark World” follows Thor (Chris Hemsworth), god of thunder, as he faces off against Malekith the Accursed, leader of the Dark Elves.
Bruce Stone came to love films as a young man, first through an undergraduate encounter with Orson Welles’ adaptation of Franz Kafka’s “The Trial” and then through a series of Federico Fellini films during a weekend in New York City.
12 Years a Slave ????1/2 With its unflinching brutality and heartbreaking portrayal of true events, “12 Years a Slave” isn’t just one of the best films of the year.
Last Vegas ???1/2 “Last Vegas” is a heartwarming and charming ensemble comedy that proves Hollywood’s elder talents can take Sin City by storm, even if they are members of the AARP.
Enough Said ???1/2 “Enough Said” is a romantic comedy for adults. It’s sharp, clever and achingly realistic.
Ender’s Game ???? A critically acclaimed best seller finally hits the big screen: “Ender’s Game” presents itself in a big way to audiences.
Atlanta-based rock band Manchester Orchestra tells its story through music with deep meaningful lyrics and hard-hitting guitar riffs. Staff writer Marcela Guimaraes caught up with frontman Andy Hull to talk about the band’s latest single and its upcoming record.
Felix Obelix The Ringtone Album ???1/2 Electronic When I first heard about The Ringtone Album, I cringed at the thought of an album made entirely of ringtones. You know: those annoying, loud sound bites that always seem to go off at the most inopportune times, like in the middle of class or in a movie theater
Saint Rich Beyond the Drone ??? Rock With its steady guitar melodies and easy-breezy vibe, Saint Rich’s Beyond the Drone has all the qualities of a solid indie rock record.
The Letter Jackets The Letter Jackets ???1/2 Rock Steeped in a bluegrass formula with a robust rock ‘n’ roll exterior, The Letter Jackets’ self-titled debut is not a pioneered effort, but is a refreshment from a group itching to try something a little out of routine.
Lily & Madeleine Lily & Madeleine ??? Acoustic folk Sisters Lily and Madeleine Jurkiewicz took a chance putting their soft folk voices out into a world currently fixated on more aggressive genres. With its first full-length, self-titled album, the duo composes a restrained collection of simple ballads that illuminate both innocence and staggering self-awareness.
Dresses Sun Shy ??? Folk pop In anticipation of its full-length debut next spring, the Oregon-based pop group Dresses has released a breezy nine-track EP aptly titled Sun Shy.