In the news today: Will Oldham, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Yo La Tengo, Billy Idol, Rammstein, Voivod, Mustard Plug, Gorilla Biscuits

There’s no detail too small or scar too deep for Eels to pick up and examine in a wry musical light.

I am generally skeptical and disrespectful of band names with special capitalization, but IDLES look and sound like they mean business.

I spent my pandemic “vacation” taking online courses and playing with TicTok. Veteran musicians the Mekons and Yo La Tengo spent their time making music.

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.

Vincent’s Playlist (BYM Records). Review by Scott Adams.

A quick round up of records that almost got away.

Carnival Barkers (Cleave Recordings). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Christmas, It’s No Biggie (Damnably Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Where We Were Together (Damnably Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Imitations of Immortality (Motorific Sounds). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Illinois River Valley Blues (Thrill Jockey). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Getaway (Merge). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Pendarvis Farms transforms for three extraordinary days into the fun and psychedelic fest of your wildest indie music loving dreams, Pickathon. Alexa Harris was there to experience the joys of farm life for the weekend.

In the wilds of Washington, the beautiful Columbia Gorge serves as the backdrop to the 4-day music festival extravaganza known as Sasquatch Fest. Alexa Harris was there to experience great shows and interesting people, and sometimes braving the elements along the way.

Surface Noise (Kiam). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

The Sun Ra Arkestra held sway over Bob Pomeroy in Jacksonville.

Airless Midnight (Red Herring). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Fade (Matador). Review by Eric J. Iannelli.

Skin Collision Past. Review by Jeff Schweers.