Bostonist didn't suspect at the time that Rhett Miller's Saturday show would be the weekend's high point, but it would have been a night well spent despite whatever happened on Sunday. The Old 97s gained national attention around the time of the "No Depression" Americana/alt-country scene, which was spearheaded by Uncle Tupelo and which also launched the career of Ryan Adams in Whiskeytown. Hailing from Dallas, Old 97s definitely have a helping of twang......

Spring is when we get busy here in the Ist-A-Verse. Very busy. But, after staying bundled-up indoors all winter, it's nice for us to be out, about, and collecting things to write about for you. Here's a glimpse at what's been keeping your favorite citybloggers busily away from home and out of bed. For LAist, strong winds attacked LA on the same day the Feds raided the Crips. Not to fear, though: the Japanese version......

With 2005’s Black Sheep Boy, Okkervil River’s Will Sheff has found his voice. Having already established his band’s American folkternative sound with Down the River of Golden Dreams, Sheff now celebrates the confidence and dexterity to sing his songs with a power already present in his writing. The instrumentation raises similarities to other contemporary artists while distinguishing the record from Okkervil’s previous releases. Compare the gentle strings and lonely narrator of “In A Radio Song”......