One of the founding members of the Doors, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, died this week at the age of 74 on Monday, May 20. Manzarek’s influential work on the keys was equally responsible for the band’s […]
Musgraves makes country music better
Kacey Musgraves isn’t necessarily the spokesperson for modern country music but her debut album, “Same Trailer Different Park,” is powerful enough to shift the direction of the genre. This album captures the untamed spirit of […]
She & Him have old soul sound
M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel have created yet another timeless collection of pop songs on She & Him “Volume 3,” released Tuesday, May 7. The retro sound is as authentic as it was on their […]
Follow the High Note with Shaun Smith playlist
Listen to every album reviewed on the High Note with Shaun Smith through the Spotify playlist. Each week it will updated and so long as Spotify hosts the song, it will be available to you. Check out […]
Willie ‘faces the music’ at 80
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/images/stories/00-downbeach/Shaun_Notes-Logo.jpg After releasing an album earlier this month, it seems there could be no greater gift to Willie Nelson than the international recognition he received on his 80th birthday Tuesday, April 30 for a long […]
Snoop roars on reggae album
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/images/stories/00-downbeach/Shaun_Cassette-Logo.jpg The man known as Snoop flourishes as a reggae artist on his latest album, “Reincarnated” released Tuesday, April. 23. The rapper introduced to the world as Snoop Doggy Dogg in 1993 with his debut […]
Iron and Wine still solid on latest album
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/images/stories/00-downbeach/Shaun_Notes-Logo.jpg “Ghost on Ghost” released Tuesday, April 16 is the fifth and absolutely best Iron and Wine album to date. Singer-songwriter Samuel Beam, performing under the moniker Iron and Wine, has progressed as a songwriter […]
Dawes keeps rolling on ‘Stories Don’t End’
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/images/stories/00-downbeach/Shaun_Cassette-Logo.jpg The retro sound that Dawes developed on the band’s first two albums is more refined and authentic on “Stories Don’t End,” released April 9. Since the band’s 2009 debut release “North Hills,” Dawes has […]
Hart masters soul on latest album
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/images/stories/00-downbeach/Shaun_Notes-Logo.jpg When Beth Hart joined Jeff Beck on “I’d Rather Go Blind,” to honor Buddy Guy at the Kennedy Center in December it marked the second chapter in the singer’s career. Since receiving a standing […]
Wavves is fearless on new album
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/images/stories/00-downbeach/Shaun_Cassette-Logo.jpg Full of crunchy power chords, youthful lyrics and unabashed energy, California-based Wavves is leading the grunge revival with “Afraid of Heights,” released March 26. The psychedelic stripped down surf punk sound perfected by the […]