On its fifth studio album, Radio Birdman ignores the age factor and plays signature punk/garage rock. "Zeno Beach" may confuse audiences at first with its time capsule preserved sound. This album showcases the importance of the keyboard when used properly...

The title of "Get Lonely," the latest release from The Mountain Goats — aka singer-songwriter John Darnielle — gives a wonderful description how to listen to it. It is definitely not a happy, uplifting release by any means. There are little glimpses...

Hatebreed is an interesting beast. The group has released some defining hardcore albums — most notably 1997's "Satisfaction is the Death of Desire." But in the near-decade since that album, the members haven't really done much to step up their game....

"Beerfest" is an epic, albeit sophomoric tale that follows the Wolfhouse brothers (Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske) to Germany so they can scatter their late grandfather's ashes at Oktoberfest. Upon arrival, they are taken where the Wolfhouse ashes have...

Fans in Philadelphia are notoriously ruthless to anyone not in a Philly uniform. They threw snowballs at Santa Claus in 1968 and booed him off the field. They cheered when Michael Irvin was temporarily paralyzed. They even booed Destiny's Child during...

The idea of a dysfunctional suburban family disguised as normal has struck a chord with audiences. The increasing trend among movies is to reveal the underbelly of the suburban family. "The Sweet Hereafter," "The Door in the Floor," "The Squid and the...

Tuesday Reviews of recent film releases such as "Beerfest," "Little Miss Sunshine" and Mark Wahlberg's "Invincible." Wednesday Reviews of new albums from singer/songwriter John Darnielle's alter-ego Mountain Goats, as well as new material from Hatebreed...

On the speakers Jimmy Eat WorldIf nothing else, this collaboration with Liz Phair stands as the first decent thing she's done since 1998. Archer Prewitt "Work" Screeching Weasel "Work" The Ventures "Work Song" The Animals "Work Song" The Dead Milkmen...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Reigning American Idol Taylor Hicks has settled a lawsuit he brought against a Nashville producer over the rights to three songs he wrote and recorded before becoming a TV phenom. Hicks gained possession of the master recordings of...

"I guess we're nerd-core," said guitarist Anthony Kanalas. "Wait, no, I'm joking." This is fairly representative of 4th Gear, five guys who seem to find it impossible to stay on task when offstage. When forced to seriously define their sound, they list...

NEW YORK | The producers of "World Trade Center" are donating $1.3 million to the Sept. 11 memorial, keeping a promise to give 5 percent of the film's opening weekend box office receipts to help build it. Another $1.3 million from the weekend's proceeds...

David Rauch is a Northern Star employee studying abroad. "An American In Paris" will chronicle his studies and adventures in France. So, this is what international study feels like? This is Paris? Hostels, shaky French movies, tourist traps to avoid like...