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New York Post — Taylor's Globetrotter 'Era' continues in Lisbon on May 24-25. more info

Stereogum — How Music Got Free is a new two-part documentary that will premiere on Paramount+ next month. It’s billed as a look at how file-sharing technology disrupted the music industry and helped devalue music. It was executive produced by Eminem and LeBron James. There will be talking heads from Eminem, 50 Cent, Timbaland, Jimmy Iovine, Rocsi Diaz, Rhymefest, Steve Stoute, and more, and the whole thing is narrated by Method Man. Here’s the official description: more info

Stereogum — Lollapalooza is getting the docuseries treatment with a three-part show called Lolla: The Story Of Lollapalooza, which is available on Paramount+ starting today. We already got an official trailer, and Rolling Stone has a new clip from the show in which founders Perry Farrell and Marc Geiger discuss the failed 2004 revival of the fest. more info

Stereogum — Last September, I watched Pavement perform at the National’s Homecoming festival and wondered whether it would be the ’90s indie-rock icons’ last show ever after a reunion tour that spanned well over a year. I guess not. The Seattle festival Bumbershoot just announced its 2024 lineup, and Pavement are on the bill. more info

Stereogum — It’s hard to believe that the Smiths were only together for five years. In addition to four studio albums, they have a handful of compilations, a live LP, and a session with John Peel. The Manchester outcasts are known as one of the most influential groups, yet their specific sound has rarely been replicated; ’90s groups like the Sundays, the La’s, and Belle And Sebastian definitely came close, along with early 2000s act Voxtrot, but otherwise resemblances are quite vague. They’re also credited with inspiring the Britpop movement. Blur formed after watching the Smiths on The South Bank Show in 1987; Oasis, the Stone Roses, and Suede reportedly drew heavily from the Smiths as well, though similarities are hard to detect. What genre are the Smiths? Depends on who you ask. Jangle pop. British alternative. Mope rock. more info

Stereogum — British rave-rockers EMF are playing shows in the US for the first time since 1992? Well, that’s just… I mean, it’s… implausible? Wait, no, that’s not the word. EMF’s return to America is… unthinkable? Still not quite right. Preposterous? Outlandish? Inconceivable? None of these words quite get across what I’m trying to say here. This is EMF! Playing shows in America! It’s unbelievable! more info

Obscure Sound — Presenting a soulful rock sound with brass-laden enthusiasm, Hounds of Mess Around is the fifth full-length from Oakland-based band Idiot Grins. Their upbeat, expansive sound is marked by charismatic vocal smoothness amidst a wide-ranging array of instrumentation, ranging from bluesy guitar licks to illuminated organs and blaring brass. Aesthetically, there’s a fond likeness to acts such as Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and Hounds of Mess Around continues the fantastic songwriting shown on previous albums. “Riunite” opens the album with a dazzling suaveness, melding brass and organs that lament “he took all that I had.” The responsive vocal additions The post Idiot Grins – ‘Hounds of Mess Around’ appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog. more info

Obscure Sound — Fresh off last year’s album of new material, Rabbit Hole, Ruby Topaz provides listeners with a blast through the project’s long-running span, which is approaching 40 years. The glam-rock project continues to be led by guitarist and vocalist Mark Bram, whose charismatic vocals take inspiration from Queen and Led Zeppelin. “We have the glam and theatrics of Cooper and Bowie, the sophisticated rock of Queen, the power and urgency of early Zeppelin with the melodic prowess of early Beatles,” Bram says. Following the success of Rabbit Hole, Ruby Topaz does well in this album of 14 remastered tracks, spanning the The post ‘Ruby Topaz Again 23rd Anniversary Remaster’ appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog. more info