Being landlocked sometimes seems to give Denver an inferiority complex. It’s as if a nearby body of water is required to confer authenticity on an arts and culture capital. L.A., Seattle and Portland have the Pacific Ocean (sort of). New York has the Atlantic Ocean (again, sort of). Chicago has Lake Michigan.
But there’s no reason why Denver can’t be as cool — that is, as rich with music, theater, film, visual arts, dance and food — as those admittedly wetter locales. After all, we’ve got [...]

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Train’s Patrick Monahan may have had a cracked rib at the band’s Ogden show, but he didn’t let it slow him down. Photo by Alan Cox.
The subzero temperatures outside the Odgen Theatre Tuesday night couldn’t dampen the warm reception Denver fans gave to the Grammy-winning San Francisco band Train. Singer Patrick Monahan clearly relished his role as charismatic front man, and he proved he’s got the pipes to back up his swagger and slinking, which captivated the enthusiastic women in the packed out [...]

A small crowd turned up at the Bluebird on Monday for the big sound of Japan’s Melt Banana.
For the first 25 minutes of their set at the Bluebird Theater Monday night, Melt Banana blasted the crowd with a melange of noise and darkness — pierced only by the members’ head-mounted lights — that felt like my imagination of shock therapy, without the benefit of that thick piece of rubber they shove in your mouth to keep you from biting through your tongue. Never have I [...]

Chris Brown, “Graffiti” (Jive)
Listening to Chris Brown’s third full-length album, it’s natural to look for something underneath the surface. Subtlety isn’t Brown’s strong suit, but given his last year — a tumultuous time for the young singer as horrific photos of his famous ex-girlfriend surfaced everywhere — it’s easy to listen for some kind of an apology. Something honest and heartfelt, perhaps?

British downtempo act Zero 7 expanded from a duo to a stage-filling band for its uneven but satisfying set at the Ogden last night.
For those of us who worshiped at the altar of downtempo for a good portion of the late ’90s and early 2000s, Zero 7 is one of those see-before-you-die actss. And while last night’s show at the Ogden had moments that recaptured the exuberance and novelty that Zero 7′s brand of soulful, yet precise electronic music established back in the heyday of [...]

A typically energetic Davey Havok led his punk-pop band through songs from each of AFI’s albums. Photo by Joe McCabe.
Headlining Channel 93.3′s Not So Silent Night, AFI and company brought their blend of punk and modern rock to the stage at Magness Arena on Sunday. Playing to a diverse crowd of teenagers to young adults, Davey Havok led his band through songs from each of their albums. Known for his showmanship, Havok was a mad man on stage, running from side to side, and the [...]

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The Don’ts and Be Carefuls are easily one of Denver’s brightest, tightest new acts. Photo by Brian Carney.
Casey Banker may be one of the busiest musicians in Denver right now. In addition to fronting the local up-and-coming band the Don’ts and Be Carefuls (DBCs), Banker is also a member of the Outfit, another band currently riding pretty high on the scene. But it’s The DBCs popularity that may get a significant boost now, after their EP release party last Friday night at the [...]

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Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto packed the Ogden with fans who knew every song by heart on Saturday. Photo by Lindsay McWilliams.
I can almost gauge how amazing a Denver show will be by the array of ages that show up, and Bebel Gilberto’s set at the Ogden on Saturday drew a great mix of young and old — all loyal supporters who knew each song within the first four bars. The more people whistled and hooted and hollered, the more extravagant the daughter of [...]

Bluegrass band Hot Rize, seen here playing the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2008, will return in 2010 — along with an impressive slate of bluegrass and indie rock musicians. Photo by Nathan Rist.
The folks at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival are known for their incredibly popular, increasingly diverse summer music showcase — and we’re happy to announce the fest’s initial artists for 2010. Of course Sam Bush and his band will be there, and Bela Fleck — well, we couldn’t imagine a TBF without him. But [...]

Want free music from the best local bands? You’ve come to the right place. Steal This Track offers exactly that every Tuesday, right here on REVERB. It is, without a doubt, THE spot to learn more about Denver’s hottest and most interesting musical acts. You can read all you want about local music, but there’s no substitute for hearing it.
I’m beginning to think I might have an unhealthy fixation on husband-wife/boyfriend-girlfriend outfits, because this week’s track is the third I’ve offered from a couple. [...]