In the news today: Baroness, Beck, Phoenix, Jarvis Cocker, Wes Anderson, Seu Jorge, M. Ward, First Aid Kit

The Hideout Sessions (Pravda). Review by Julius C. Lacking.

Billy Martin’s drumming makes me think of oxymorons like “precisely sloppy” and “intensely casual” and “red hot chill out”.

If you’re wondering if Acid Tongue is about having a particularly caustic wit, or about some sort of psychedelic dosage, the answer is yes.

M. Ward could get by on his smoky velvet voice alone, but he also happens to be a supreme connoisseur of what alert musicians call songcraft.

The Woolly Bushmen may look young, but they sound like a rusted IROC Camaro with a busted manifold roaring out of the 7-11 parking lot.

Christmas Party. (Columbia) Review by Joe Frietze.

Despite a few technical malfunctions, So-Cal pop/rock combo Rooney wowed Orlando fans with a powerful live set, which is more than Chris Long can say about the warm up bands.

Middle Cyclone (Anti). Review by Tim Wardyn.

Jenny Lewis drenches Orlando with her sweet and soulful country tinged folk music. Jen Cray is amongst the adoring, sold-out crowd.

M. Ward suspends time and lifts Chicago, and Chris Catania , up in the warm embrace of his timeless music.

Stars & Curses. Review by Andrew Ellis.

To Go Home (Merge). Review by Aaron Shaul.

M. Ward’s recent Chicago gig saw the crowd becoming much more active participants in the performance. Chris Catania reports from the frontlines.

A Tribute to John Fahey (Vanguard). Review by Sean Slone.

My Beautiful Sinking Ship (Bella Union). Review by Stein Haukland.

End Of Amnesia (Future Farmer). Review by Marcel Feldmar.