Monday Music Notes

I knew something had changed when I was in a crowded downtown bar, filled with twenty-somethings sipping Red Bull and vodka and Pabst Blue Ribbon, and the opening chords of “Ring of Fire” evoked instant cheers and singing. The hype surrounding “Walk the Line” officially secured Johnny Cash a spot on the must-have music list of the MTV crowd, much to the chagrin of longtime fans — though Cash’s music is certainly hype-worthy. New and old fans alike will be glad to know that Lost Highway records plans to release an album on July 4 titled American V: A Hundred Highways. The album consists entirely of songs Cash wrote and recorded with producer Rick Rubin in the months leading up to his death in September of 2003.

Alice in Chains Reunited — Sort of

It’s no surprise that it took both the band and the audience several songs before either was able to relax and mutually enjoy the enormity of what took place Monday evening at Avalon. The club was packed, with little space to either move or breathe, by 8:30 p.m. as fans awaited the reunited Alice in Chains, with Comes with the Fall’s William DuVall replacing deceased front man Layne Stanley.

Patrol Unplugged

Indie rockers Snow Patrol (who performed at Avalon last Friday) are from Northern Ireland but formed the group in Scotland. Their fourth full-length album Eyes Open (Interscope) which they released on May 1 has only reached number 34 on the U.S. charts, but it was number one on the UK and Ireland charts.

Wolfmother Not Loud Enough

When a band is as new and as hyped as Wolfmother, there are two factors that determine whether it will have lasting power. The first is live performance – can the band translate the energy of a hit record to the stage? The second is the all-important subsequent album.

Mozart: The Early Years

By Mary Ann Nichols

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth and just about every classical performing group is paying tribute. Enterprising souls are marketing everything from standard keepsakes to off-the-wall Mozart items. Mozart Salami, anyone?

Neil Young Lives With War But Doesn’t Love It

The only constant in Neil Young’s decades of pointed political songs is that he’s bound to do some more, sooner or later. At times he responds to headlines. Other times he calls up distant historical events. He can tackle broad social changes or personal issues he’s been turning over in his head. He’s cozied up to Reagan and called to impeach Bush II. Whatever the source, these songs are never worked out treatises: they’re gut checks. And when he does 10 of them, as on his angry new “Living with War,” (Reprise) at least two or three are bound to hit your solar plexus.

Going With the Flow With Elvis Costello

Okay, here’s the short version of my take on The River in Reverse (after an inadequate 1 1/2 listens):

Talent Beyond Time

The Social Security Six: Music Veterans Quietly Have a Landmark Year