Email Author Ian Traas

2012 Stories by Ian Traas

• Gallows

  published November 14, 2012

  Songs about failed relationships aren't usually in a hardcore punk band's repertoire, but let's make an exception for Gallows' "Abandon Ship."... More >>

• Dan Deacon

  published October 31, 2012

  If you're searching for an impossible-to-forget concert experience, go see Dan Deacon. The lovable Baltimore weirdo has a knack for getting the... More >>

• Sleigh Bells

  published October 31, 2012

  Sleigh Bells have made the most of their penchant for excess. Mixing rap beats pushed so far into the red that you probably checked your speakers... More >>

• Crystal Castles

  published October 31, 2012

  When the debut album dropped, the list of people who saw longevity in Crystal Castles was short. The car-crash pileup of 8-bit synths,... More >>

• The Rural Alberta Advantage

  published October 24, 2012

  Hard fact: Summer's over, gang. If the current glut of dance-pop isn't helping, dig around that dusty mp3 folder and revisit those two Rural... More >>

• Grimes

  published October 17, 2012

  With all the artists clamoring to be a pop princess, Grimes was able to float just under the radar as a pop poltergeist. After a couple of albums... More >>

• The XX

  published October 17, 2012

  The XX conquered the world with their debut album, which undressed rock songs like an attentive lover and then slipped slyly into everyone's... More >>

• Taking Back Sunday

  published October 10, 2012

  Backlash against gushy, mushy breakup songs seems pretty quaint now. Consequently, an album like Taking Back Sunday's Tell All Your Friends... More >>

• Silversun Pickups

  published September 19, 2012

  At this point, Silversun Pickups don't seem to care about killer hooks. They're focused on creating a particular atmosphere, relying on pregnant... More >>

• Built to Spill

  published September 19, 2012

  The guys in Built to Spill don't need to write any more albums. They've already earned their place in indie-rock heaven. After records like... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Four reasons Lollapalooza needs EDM

  published Aug 07, 2012

  See Also:[Slideshow] Lollapalooza 2012: The PeopleJustice at Lollapalooza, 8/5/12Ten things your Lollapalooza outfit says about youWith every year that passes, it feels like electronic dance music gai... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Frank Ocean & the Weeknd at Lollapalooza, 8/4/12

  published Aug 05, 2012

  See Also:Lollapalooza 2012 suspended, resumed after dangerous weather conditionsTen things your Lollapalooza outfit says about youThe Weeknd at First Avenue, 6/17/12Best of Lollapalooza day three: At ... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  M83 at Lollapalooza, 8/3/12

  published Aug 04, 2012

  See Also:Ten things your Lollapalooza outfit says about youBlack Sabbath at Lollapalooza, 8/3/12Best of Lollapalooza 2012, day one: Afghan Whigs, Die Antwoord, and more[Slideshow] Lollapalooza 2012 Da... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  The Darkness at First Avenue, 2/12/12

  published Feb 13, 2012

  The DarknessFirst Avenue, MinneapolisSunday, February 12, 2012For a slideshow from the concert, click here.Something about the Darkness band feels a little like Jurassic Park: Use the genetic code rip... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Wu-Tang Clan at Epic, 1/7/12

  published Jan 09, 2012

  They might be battle-hardened rap assassins, but the Wu-Tang Clan aren't above having a good time.  The Clan were clearly up for a party on Saturday night at Epic, with Method Man admitting that ... More >>