Email Author Christian Schaeffer

2010 Stories by Christian Schaeffer

• Cowboy Mouth

  published December 30, 2010

  The list of singing drummers is a short one. Levon Helm, Phil Collins and Ringo Starr pulled it off with grace, but it's tough to keep the... More >>

• Homespun: Illphonics

  published December 23, 2010

  Slick funk, vibrant rock and spitfire hip-hop verses combine on Illphonics' second release, the five-song Illusion EP. This collection... More >>

• Bud Lights

  published December 16, 2010

  While we would never encourage over-imbibing, it's a well-known fact that a little bit of alcohol helps the holidays go down smoothly. Whether you... More >>

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  The El Monstero juggernaut continues to shine on in 2010

  published December 23, 2010

  In a nondescript office park near the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, a rock & roll army has taken over an empty room. With bland... More >>

• Review: Cursive's Tim Kasher at Off Broadway, December 15

  published Dec 16, 2010

  We'll begin with the obvious question: Why does Tim Kasher need a solo careerr After all, the Cursive frontman has already branched out with the Good Life, a side project which often bests its progeni... More >>

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  The ten best local albums of 2010, as chosen by the RFT

  published December 16, 2010

  In an age where bands can succeed or fail on the basis of one MP3, it's refreshing that full-length albums are alive and well in St. Louis.... More >>

• Jumbling Towers

  published December 16, 2010

  Fans of Jumbling Towers had much to celebrate in 2010. Not only did the quartet resume playing somewhat-regular gigs in St. Louis, but... More >>

• Funky Butt Brass Band Christmas Show

  published December 16, 2010

  For the brass-masters and beat-keepers in the Funky Butt Brass Band, every day is a holiday. The band's music — which is derived... More >>

• Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three

  published December 2, 2010

  If Pokey LaFarge's bio claimed that he landed in St. Louis via some magical, time-traveling boxcar that plunked him on a set of rusty railroad... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  The Riverfront Times' Ten Best Local Albums of 2010

  published Dec 09, 2010

  In an age where bands can succeed or fail on the basis of one MP3, it's refreshing that full-length albums are alive and well in St. Louis. (Note: The RFT's EP/seven-inch list can be found here.) Each... More >>

• Floors of Florals

  published December 2, 2010

  For too long, the holiday season has been dominated by one particular type of flora: the ever-present Christmas tree. And while the towering,... More >>

• Homespun: LucaBrasi

  published December 9, 2010

  Until 1993, the NHL's Central Division (now home to our St. Louis Blues) was called the Norris Division. That nugget of NHL trivia may or may... More >>

• There's something for everyone in these new holiday albums, even for Wilson Phillips fans

  published December 9, 2010

  For many musicians, the lure of the Christmas songbook is hard to resist. Despite the challenge of reworking well-worn (and, in some cases,... More >>

• Celia's Yuletide Xpress Holiday Sing-Along

  published December 9, 2010

  During the other eleven months of the year, Celia Shacklett can be found bringing joy and merriment in one of her many musical incarnations: as... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Ten Essential 2010 Holiday Albums

  published Dec 02, 2010

  For many musicians, the lure of the Christmas songbook is hard to resist. Despite the challenge of reworking well-worn (and, in some cases, worn out) songs, each year a few dozen acts try to make some... More >>

• Brothers Lazaroff

  published December 2, 2010

  Give 'Em What They Need is the third record by Brothers Lazaroff, and with each release Jeff and David Lazaroff add more soul and more... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Review + Photos: Usher Makes Large-Scale Love to His Crowd on the OMG Tour, Scottrade Center, Friday, November 26

  published Nov 27, 2010

  The St. Louis stop on Usher's OMG Tour began with the magician's best trick: misdirection. While a troupe of hip-hop Cylons danced amid a vaguely dystopian stage set, Usher himself was levitated on a ... More >>

• Homespun: Pretty Little Empire

  published November 25, 2010

  At their best, the seams of Pretty Little Empire's gentle, Americana-fringed songs become stretched, torn and frayed. In concert, the quartet... More >>

• Usher

  published November 25, 2010

  The things that have kept Usher in the firmament of safe, dependable R&B stars are not strictly musical — that smile, those abs... More >>

• Homespun: Beth Bombara

  published November 18, 2010

  For her first full-length under her own name, Beth Bombara builds on the singer-songwriter folk stylings and more adventurous rock & roll of... More >>

• Shearwater/Damien Jurado

  published November 18, 2010

  Since Jonathan Meiburg left Okkervil River and turned Shearwater into a full-time venture, his albums with the band have taken on a... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Show Review + Setlist + Photos: Iron & Wine Takes a Sonic Sojourn, Gets Lost Along the Way at the Pageant, Saturday, November 13

  published Nov 14, 2010

  As soon as he strode onto the low-lit Pageant stage, it was clear that Sam Beam was a changed man. Not only had the Iron & Wine leader trimmed his famed beard and flowing locks to a respectable length... More >>

• Homespun: Jon Hardy & the Public

  published November 11, 2010

  In the three years since Jon Hardy & the Public released the masterful full-length Working in Love, a lot and a little has changed for... More >>

• Show Review: Second Night of Beat 'n' Soul Offers Garage-Rock Fuzz and Sweet Soul Sounds

  published Nov 07, 2010

  The promise of rock & roll has always been the promise of being forever young, and last night the patrons at Off Broadway got a good argument for music's gift of eternal youth. The inaugural weekend o... More >>

• Homespun: Devon Allman's Honeytribe

  published November 4, 2010

  The new disc from Devon Allman's Honeytribe opens with the soulful squawk of a harmonica. Who's behind the harp? None other than beloved '80s... More >>