The Attic (under construction)

  • Brandon’s Tips: March 2008  why Sara Bareilles and Cascada are working my last nerve; a stunning, in-depth rebuttal of A's ridiculous assertions re: Counting Crows; straight up proof that '80s tuneage will never die
  • Brandon’s Tips: February 19 and 26, 2008  Janet Jackson drops another dud, Cowboy Junkies release another unsung masterpiece, and Tift Merritt knocks another grand slam straight out of the park
  • “No Country”: a riveting roundtable  A ragtag group of amateur armchair fly-by-nights debate the merits (or decided lack thereof) of the most ridiculous Academy Award winner in film history, "No Crunchy for Old Men"
  • Brandon’s Tips: February 5 and 12, 2008  an examination of "Beauty and the Beast's" legendary final season, newly released on DVD, plus: new music from Taylor Dayne, Michael Jackson, Jack Johnson, and Sheryl Crow
  • Brandon’s Tips: fall 2007 and January 2008  "Studio 60" and "Twin Peaks" make dazzling full-series DVD debuts alongside a cavalcade of new music releases from the likes of Pat Monahan, Patty Griffin, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Joni Mitchell, Celine Dion, and many, MANY more
  • Brandon’s Tips: August 2007  thumbs up for "Schoolhouse Rock," thumbs WAY up for the gloriously reborn "One Life to Live," and hands raised high for new stuff from Josh Ritter, Lori McKenna, Grace Potter, Suzy Bogguss, and the debut season of "Friday Night Lights"
  • Brandon’s Tips: July 17, 24, and 31, 2007  riveting new material from Hanson, Prince, and Silverchair, plus: "Friday Night Lights" gets a soundtrack, and A's ridiculous dismissal of George Michael earns a stern rebuke from moi
  • Brandon’s Tips: July 10, 2007  it's 1987 all over again, with new music from Crowded House and the second season of "Beauty and the Beast" hitting DVD. Plus: new music from Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol, and Spoon
  • Brandon’s Tips: July 3, 2007  a superb new covers set from Jann Arden highlights a quiet July 4th week
  • Brandon’s Tips: June 26, 2007  a tale of two Kellys: Ms. Willis turns in another stunner, while Ms. Clarkson lays a massive egg. Plus: Paul Simon earns a well-deserved best-of set, and Marc Broussard and Ryan Adams return to form
  • Brandon’s Tips: June 19, 2007  Guilty pleasures abound this week, with new stuff from Deborah Cox, Bon Jovi, Lifehouse, and Mandy Moore
  • Brandon’s Tips: June 12, 2007  The peerless Paula Cole and Abra Moore end their achingly long hiatuses from the biz
  • Brandon’s Tips: June 5, 2007  June kicks off with new stuff from Chris Cornell, Big & Rich, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney
  • Brandon’s Tips: May 29, 2007  The music bidness goes fishing for Memorial Day, but here's a fantastic chance to catch up on some recent efforts you may have allowed to slip through the cracks
  • Brandon’s Tips: May 22, 2007  Maroon 5 comes roaring back with its sophomore effort, plus: Joan Osborne, Dashboard Confessional, Erasure, and an emotionally wrenching best-of from Jeff Buckley
  • Brandon’s Tips: May 15, 2007  Linkin Park and Gretchen Wilson continue to confound me, but Wilco and Rufus Wainwright make it all better
  • Brandon’s Tips: May 8, 2007  The "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack gets yet *another* re-release, plus: best-ofs from Linda Eder and Paula Abdul highlight a slow week
  • Brandon’s Tips: May 1, 2007  My magnificent Tori Amos launches a full-scale misfire, plus: Chantal Kreviazuk, Kimberley Locke, and Miranda Lambert are all back with terrific efforts