Each Friday, we bring you reviews of 10 recently released CDs done in 10 words each:

Steve Morse Band Out Standing In Their Field — Dixie Dregs/Deep Purple guitarist releases entirely instrumental solo work.

Self-Evident Endings — Minneapolis trio sounds like Fugazi meets math rock… not bad.

Kill Paradise The Second Effect — Electropop duo creates… it’s more crap with too much Autotune.

Switchfoot Hello Hurricane — San Diego rock quintet releases its seventh full-length album. (At Amos’ Southend on Dec. 3.)

Jerry Douglas Jerry Christmas — Mostly instrumental album has traditional songs played on the dobro. (At Neighborhood Theatre on Dec. 6.)

The Sons of Hercules A Different Kind of Ugly — Texas garage rockers bring forth plenty of raw punk energy.

Snowbyrd Diosdado — A couple new ones, but mostly unreleased, genre-defying tracks.

Picture Me Broken Dearest, I’m So Sorry — Screamo rock EP by teenagers fronted by Gregg Allman’s daughter.

Kam Moye Splitting Image — Artist formerly known as Supastition releases album under new name.

The Penelope(s) Priceless Concrete Echoes — French electropop duo combines indie and techno…kinda gothic too.

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Here’s a list of the winners from last night’s Awards show:

Lifetime Achievement Awards — James Foxx, James McGill
Special Recognition — Al Gardner, NC Music Hall of Fame, Jared Stamey, Jody Sullivan, Julia Dixon
World Music Artist — Tsunami Wave Riders
Blues Showcase – Donna Duncan
Country Showcase – Jeff Luckadoo
R&B Showcase – Ida Divine
Hip Hip Showcase – McKeve
Breakout Band – Lyra Shines
Gospel Showcase – The Jones Brothers
Rock Band – Simplified
Jazz Band – Groove Masters
Female Vocalist – Julia Bullock (Lyra Shines)
Male Vocalist – Clee Laster (Simplified)
Music Publication – The Carolina Promoter
Radio DJ – Divakar
Producer’s Choice – Dre Money
Marching Band – Harding University High School
SonicBids Country – CiCi Jansen
SonicBids Pop – Matt Annecharico
SonicBids R&B – Cagle & Nash
SonicBids Jazz – Daniel D
Recording Studio – Studio East
Small Music Venue – Puckett’s Farm Equipment
Charlotte Festival – Blocktoberfest
Singer/songwriter – Bobby Ray
DJ- Club – Mike Soden
Junior Pop Artist – Jaz

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According to pollstar.com, Alice in Chains will be performing at The Fillmore Charlotte on March 2, 2010.

No official word has been sent out yet, nor information about tickets. Stay tuned.

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Neko Case w/ Deer Tick
Knight Theater
Nov. 18, 2009

The Deal: Neko Case zips through 22 songs during Charlotte concert, brings along Deer Tick.

The Good: The night opened with a 40-minute set by Rhode Island country-rockers Deer Tick. With a Cobain-esque growl in his vocal, singer John McCauley entertained with his songwriting as much as a few onstage antics — a series of broken guitar straps, a few beers consumed and the admission of being “high… … … on life.”

Neko Case hit the stage 10 minutes before 9 p.m. on her way to rolling through 19 songs during her set which ended around 10 p.m. She kicked off the show with “Things That Scare Me,” before drawing a round of applause at the opening notes of “Maybe Sparrow.” Her red hair flowing in a tangled mess, Case was laid back for the duration of the evening as her backup singer/harmonizer/co-hort, Kelly Hogan, made most of the small talk between songs.

Hogan’s voice added the right depth to the songs as Case continually changed up guitars — she was surrounded by six of them — or went without. Artwork of a large owl “held up” a screen where various videos played throughout the show — most of which fit the song at the moment.

The nearly sold-out show enjoyed every moment of Case’s first performance in the Queen City. She closed the evening with a three-song encore including a cover of The Shangri-Las’ “Train from Kansas City.”

The Bad: Deer Tick’s moments of grandeur with harder rocking songs would have been more fitting at Snug Harbor, The Milestone or even the Visulite rather than the seated confines of the Knight Theater. Even McCauley admitted that it was weird being the only people standing up, aside from the “ushers and usherettes.”

The Verdict: Case proved why she’s been the “critic’s darling” for years and it’s about time that others started to catch on. Once again, the Knight provided the perfect forum to showcase vocals and let Case’s poetic lyrics make their mark.

Setlist
Things That Scare Me
Maybe Sparrow
People Got a Lotta Nerve
Fever
Hold on, Hold On
I’m An Animal
Middle Cyclone
The Pharaohs
Polar Nettles
Deep Red Bells
A Widow’s Toast
Margaret vs. Pauline
Prison Girls
The Tigers Have Spoken
Favorite
Alimony
That Teenage Feeling
This Tornado Loves You

Encore
Vengeance Is Sleeping
Star Witness
Train From Kansas City

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Tonight, at the Knight Theatre, is Neko Case. Check out the story by John Schacht here.

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Here’s a quick list of some of the new albums hitting store shelves today:

Kris Allen Kris Allen

Norah Jones The Fall

Adam Lambert For Your Entertainment

John Mayer Battle Studies

Paul McCartney Good Evening New York City

Them Crooked Vultures Them Crooked Vultures

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I guess it was only a matter of time before someone created it — Grateful Dead-opoly. Based on the classic Monopoly game, this one has you buying master album recordings instead of properties and concert venues instead of railroads as you “tour with the Dead” from gig to gig.

And don’t worry, the entire thing’s legit. It was created by long-time friend of Bob Weir, Debbie Gold along with artwork by comic book illustrator Tim Truman and consultation with Weir and roadie Steve Parish.

Instead of going to jail, “you’re off the bus.” “Free Parking” is simply “The Parking Lot.”
Instead of utilities there is the Road Crew and a Private Jet. As you pick up Karma cards or Rex Foundation cards, you can get VIP access (instead of get out of jail free), pay fines if roadies trash hotel rooms or get bonuses because the tour sells out.

There is no “Go,” it’s Front Street. And properties include plenty of the great albums — Terrapin Station, Anthem of the Sun, Without a Net, Mars Hotel, In the Dark…. all leading up to the two big ones — American Beauty and Workingman’s Dead. The pieces include a guitar, an amp, a drum, a cowboy boot, Weir’s dog Otis and a tour bus.

The game is available through Barnes & Noble for $34.95.

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I’ve noticed that there is a lack of band introductions these days…

Sure, some bands do it old school — Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Al Green, Janelle Monae and others will have their band play first before being introduced and hitting the stage.

The Evening Muse, depending on who’s at the soundboard or hosting the show, will usually introduce the act hitting the stage.

Kiss is known for their “You wanted the best, you got the best,” introduction that they’ve been doing for years. Does John Mayer, Jane’s Addiction, Brittney Spears, Metallica or Harry Connick Jr. need to let you know who they are? If not, at what point is a band or artist famous enough to skip the intros?

However, a lot of places and people just don’t say a word. The lights go out, the lights come back on and the band is on stage as the first notes ring out. Sure, nine times out of 10, it doesn’t matter. The headliner is a big band and you already know who they are. But what about the opening acts? What about the people who are just there to see a new band and have no idea who they’re watching?

Most bands, even when not “introduced,” will let people know who they are at the same time they tell you there are CDs and t-shirts for sale in the back of the room. What’s your preference? Should a band be introduced before hitting the stage? Should they leave it as a mystery? Should they only say it at the beginning and/or end of the set?

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Each Friday, we bring you reviews of 10 recently released CDs done in 10 words each:

The Starting Line Somebody’s Gonna Miss Us — CD/DVD combo comes from hometown show during 2008 tour.

Dolly Parton Dolly: Live from London — DVD/CD set gives look at country legend’s recent performance.

Luego Taped-Together Stories — Some folk-pop with hints of electric blues… not memorable.

Ray Davies The Kinks Choral Collection — Band’s frontman returns with new vocal interpretations from past catalog.

Bad Lieutenant Never Cry Another Tear — New Order frontman Bernard Sumner’s latest project offers harmonized vocals.

Liam Finn & Eliza Jane Champagne in Seashells EP — Pop music gets some digital infusion for five delightful tunes.

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers The Bear — Massachusetts-based roots rockers release enjoyable album worth multiple listens.

Calvin Richardson Facts of Life — Monroe native continues his soulful ways with Womack tribute album.

Burns Three Teknique EP — Third installment of techno monotony. Go pick up a guitar.

Sarah Blacker The Only Way Out Is Through — Singer has hints of Natalie Merchant in her vocal style.

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I just got this e-mail from Joshua Wade of Evelynn Rose:

We left Charlotte and flew to Frankfurt Germany, then to Saudi Arabia, and lastly Bahrain. The island is amazing — we’re having a blast with the locals as well as our new friends at the base here. Our first show was last night, and it went over very well. It’s hard to explain the feeling we get when the troops thank us! We have to respond with a resounding, “No, thank you!” The smallest piece of home really does seem to affect the moral here, and it’s been great interacting with everyone so far. We had some crazy times last night-our first “official” night on the island-but we’ll leave that alone for now haha. Luckily, we’ve captured a ton of video so far for our spring documentary release, and we have hundreds of hours more to come. Don’t forget to let everyone know about our first show back in the states at Whisky River on Dec. 11, too. Thanks for all of your support back home — we look forward to seeing you all again in a couple of weeks!

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