Kristi Kates | Author

A New Shot of Rock from The Vaccines

Feb. 10, 2018

After three years with nary a release in sight, The Vaccines are returning with their much-anticipated fourth full-length album, Combat Sports, a collection of big, bold indie-rock tracks that alternate between brooding lo-tempo numbers and ecstatic rockers. The ... Read More >>

Belle and Sebastian – How to Solve Our Human Problems, Part 2 – Matador

Feb. 10, 2018

The second of Belle and Sebastian’s trio of planned companion EPs has arrived (the third will surface late this month), with all three together comprising a full album’s worth of music. This one is a kind of vague, delicate sketched overview of the band’s current sound, ... Read More >>

Beyond the Heart-Shaped Box

Feb. 5, 2018

Two familiar sights this time of year: the red-foil rectangular box of assorted chocolates and the box of candy hearts printed with sayings like “QTPie” “SURE LOVE” and “ALL MINE.&rdquo... Read More >>

Get Revved Up for Festival Season

Feb. 3, 2018

Need another reason to get out of Dodge and into some warmer weather this spring? The Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival (April 1–4 in Okeechobee, Florida), has announced it will feature sets by Arcade Fire, Bassnectar, Leon Bridges, and more. Head ... Read More >>

Moon Taxi – Let the Record Play – RCA

Feb. 3, 2018

The first outing at the new major-label home for Nashville indie-rock band Moon Taxi is an interesting switch-up for the band, in that the label shift seems to have pushed the band toward more polished, radio-ready tunes — and farther from the melodically catchy and significantly hi... Read More >>

Single MOMM on a Mission

Jan. 27, 2018

After her husband left her, Jennifer Finnegan Pool craved a place she could go to connect with other single moms. She couldn’t find one, so she created one.

Jennifer Finnegan Pool clearly remembers the day that she was, as she calls it, “deposited” in no... Read More >>

David Housden – Thomas Was Alone Original Soundtrack – Black Screen Records

Jan. 27, 2018

The companion album to the quirky, minimalistic independent videogame is as quirky and minimalistic as the game itself. With spare piano/string combos, evocative synth lines, and special remastering for the vinyl edition, this set is a perfectly balanced ambient standout that compels from... Read More >>

Justin is a Man of the Woods

Jan. 27, 2018

 

Justin Timberlake (pictured) is dropping his brand new album Feb. 2, just a few days before his upcoming halftime performance at the 2018 Super Bowl. The set, titled Man of the Woods and featuring Timberlake on the cover in a split photo featuring ... Read More >>

Build Your Own Classic Snowshoes

Jan. 20, 2018

Of all the things made in Michigan, the things you can make yourself are often some of the best. And if you love our great outdoors in the winter, there is no better DIY than building a set of Michigan’s oldest shoes for yourself.
       &nbs... Read More >>

Made in Michigan

Jan. 20, 2018

Most Michiganians are familiar with big names like Kellogg’s, Faygo pop, Hudsonville ice cream, Better Made snacks, and of course the entire lineup of Detroit auto manufacturers. And closer to home here in northern Michigan, we’ve got American Spoon Foods, Baabaazuzu, Cherry R... Read More >>

Are You Ready for the Grammys?

Jan. 20, 2018

The 2018 Grammy Awards are just around the corner, with a whole host of musicians in several different categories lined up to perform at this year’s event. In addition to performances from Childish Gambino (pictured), Little Big TownRead More >>

The Indomitable Tyler Cain

Jan. 20, 2018

From Petoskey to Pyeongchang.

It has an exotic sound to it, much like “speedskating” might in northern Michigan, as it’s one of the less common sports here.
        
But Tyler Cain of Petoskey has made succ... Read More >>

Anderson East – Encore – New Elektra

Jan. 20, 2018

Recorded in Nashville at the historic RCA Studio, East taps some big names to assist with his songwriting on this collection, including the uber-catchy “King for a Day,” which includes musical penmanship by Chris Stapleton, and “All On My Mind,” with contributions ... Read More >>

Morsels’ Winter Hash

Jan. 20, 2018

No need to wait until dinner to indulge your winter craving for warm and hearty dishes. Traverse City’s Morsels serves up its Winter Hash as a truly great start to your day.

The hash sets aside regular potatoes, instead calling on the more complex flavors of sweet potatoes t... Read More >>

Honoring Fleetwood Mac

Jan. 13, 2018

The 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute concert is prepping to honor Fleetwood Mac on Jan. 26 with a big, elegant event held during Grammy week. The special tribute concert this year will feature performances from Lorde, OneRepublic... Read More >>

U2 – Songs of Experience – Interscope

Jan. 13, 2018

With every album U2 releases, old fans bemoan the fact that its work no longer sounds like its eager underground-bar breakouts of the ’80s, and newer fans discuss how all of the band’s new songs sound too much the same. This set (pictured) should quiet both issues, since it ad... Read More >>

Fun at Subzero

Jan. 13, 2018

Not a fan of freezing weather? Does the idea of hopping on skis, skates, or snowshoes make you shrink back into your triple layer of sweaters and woolly socks? Time to think outside the flat screen. Here are 15 indoor pursuits to get you off your couch and help you while away the winter.<... Read More >>

Learn to Love Winter

Jan. 13, 2018

On the opposite end of the spectrum from those who hibernate their way through winter are those who embrace the season and all the opportunities it brings.
        
If you feel you’ve limited yourself to hiding inside for far too ... Read More >>

Make Your Body a Machine

Jan. 6, 2018

 

If you’re like most of America, one of your 2018 resolutions is to get in shape. The hard part — well, besides sticking to a program — is finding a program you can stick to. The Express tapped into three of the much-talked-about diet and fitness a... Read More >>

Brand New is breaking up with us.

Jan. 6, 2018

Brand New (pictured), which is currently on tour in support of its Science Fiction album, has announced that it’s only going to be a band for another year, confirming longtime rumbles of an impending breakup. Fans are less than thrilled about the news, but Brand New... Read More >>