The artist: Yeasayer

The album: Odd Blood (Secretly Canadian)

The spin: Psychedelic pop band Yeasayer came out of nowhere in 2007 with “All Hour Cymbals,” a dystopic affair recalling the Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light” and other Brian Eno-infused work. Similar to Vampire Weekend, the debut was so strong that it wasn’t unreasonable to think the band would just fade away after exhausting their best material.Songs such as “2080” and “Sunrise” were both catchy and forward-thinking; to duplicate these would be a challenge.

It seems the band felt something similar to this as well, as the first thing that stands out about “Odd Blood” is its change in direction. The dark, haunting core that defined “Cymbals” is replaced with a distinctively brighter vision. “Ambling Alp,” while staying faithful to the band’s tendency toward layered synth effects and rhythmic experimentation, is notably different with its feel good chorus, “stick up for yourself son, never mind what anybody else does.” Similarly, the companion tracks “O.N.E.” and “ONE” seize upon a dance pop sound that locates them closer to contemporaries like Cut Copy than the Talking Heads. While “Odd Blood” might not win as many new fans as the debut, it represents a big leap forward in the band’s development.

The grade: A-

– Peter Mongillo

Michael Jackson’s doctor returns to court in April to find out the date for the next major step in the case – a proceeding that will reveal for the first time the evidence the prosecution believes will show his “gross negligence” was the direct cause of the pop star’s death.

Dr. Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter and a judge released him on $75,000 bail.

Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz ordered Murray to turn in his passport and said he could travel within the U.S., but not to any foreign country. The prosecutor had suggested he might flee to his native Grenada or to Trinidad where he has a child.

Murray was ordered to return April 5 to have another date set for his preliminary hearing. That proceeding, a virtual minitrial, will disclose the evidence prosecutors maintain will demonstrate Murray’s “gross negligence.” Read the full story

Dr. Conrad Murray is led into the Los Angeles Airport Courthouse by L.A. County Sheriff's Deputies. (AP)

See the criminal complaint against Dr. Conrad Murray

Michael Jackson’s doctor pleaded not guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of the pop star at a brief hearing that had all the trappings of another sensational celebrity courtroom drama.

Dr. Conrad Murray appeared in court in a gray suit as Jackson’s father Joe, mother Katherine, and siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy watched from courtroom seats behind prosecutors.

Neither Murray nor the Jacksons showed much emotion as Murray entered his plea through his attorney Ed Chernoff.

“We need justice,” Joe Jackson said outside court.
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April is shaping up to be a busy month for concerts, especially for the Fillmore Miami Beach.

British rockers Arctic Monkeys lead off the month with a show at the South Beach venue on April 1, while psychedelic/glam band Of Montreal come in on April 9, blues pounders Black Keys arrive on April 18 and indie heroes Band of Horses play on Aug. 28.
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Tim McGraw kicks off the Country MegaTicket at Cruzan Amphitheatre on May 8.

Following some incredibly satisfying entertainment at the South Florida Fair — I saw Luke Bryan, David Nail and Chris Young — we have a brand new festival at Cruzan and the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The first- even WIRK Rib Round-Up kicks off the season on March 6, promising sweet and spicy ribs and extra-tasty entertainment.

Billy Currington is the biggest name on the bill. His second Billboard No. 1, People Are Crazy, topped the chart last summer. Also performing: Vero Beach’s Jake Owen, Darryl Worley, American Idol’s Josh Gracin and newcomer Josh Thompson.
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For Grateful Dead fans too young to see Jerry Garcia in person, and long-time Deadheads might be a bit dismayed to realize that’s almost anyone under 30, Furthur’s done the unthinkable by channeling Jerry in an uncanny way.

For the rest of the folks, who followed the Dead and have unsuccessfully tried to fill that small void in their life for the last 15 years, the party ain’t over yet.

No one will ever replace Jerry, but by bringing John Kadlecik to the mix, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir have added the missing link – the man who sounds so much like Jerry in every way.

Furthur, the new incarnation of the Dead starts with Phil and Bobby, but it’s Kadlecik that could make this the best post-Jerry experience.
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Pete Townshend is used to playing in front of stadiums filled with rabid fans who know every note of The Who’s songs. He didn’t get that at the band’s Super Bowl halftime performance, but he’s OK with that too.

Townshend and bandmate Roger Daltrey performed a medley of some of their most famous songs on entertainment’s biggest stage Sunday, including “Won’t Get Fooled Again” during a 12-minute set that included a laser-lit stage and plenty of fireworks.

While the crowd was involved, and some held up their cell phones to illuminate the night as instructed by the stadium announcers, they were somewhat subdued, and was clear it was not a Who event. Read the full story

By JOSEPH YOUNGBLOOD

Anyone who harbors any doubts about the future of bravura pianism should have been in the DeSantis Family Chapel of Palm Beach Atlantic University on Thursday evening. Three young pianists gave stunning performances of three piano concertos: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E Flat, K. 271 by W.A. Mozart, Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 16 by Edvard Grieg and Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Flat by Franz Liszt. These were not tentative, youthful performances but mature, intelligent and artistic.

The pianists were accompanied by the Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra; Philippe Entremont conducted the Mozart concerto, and David Jacobs conducted those by Grieg and Liszt. Because the space available in the chapel for the orchestra is limited, the number of strings was reduced. This put the strings at a disadvantage when trying to balance with the winds, especially when the horns were playing out. This issue aside, the orchestra was well disciplined and provided a sensitive accompaniment.

Click here for more about the concert.

Grammy-winner Jose Feliciano has filed a report with authorities in southwest Florida stating he and a caregiver have received a series of harassing phone calls.

Feliciano, who composed the popular Christmas song “Feliz Navidad,” met with a deputy from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. According to an incident report, Feliciano said he had received two calls on his cell phone in which a muffled male voice told the singer he had to “get out.”

The caregiver also reported receiving similar calls directed toward Feliciano.

No arrest has been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Born in Lares, Puerto Rico, in 1945, Feliciano was raised in New York City and wrote “Feliz Navidad” in 1970. It is one of the most popular Christmas songs in the world.

The artist: Sade

The album: Soldier of Love (Sony)

The spin: Like a long-ago lover not quite forgotten, Sade has returned to steal our hearts with more beautiful, uncategorizable music.

It’s been 10 years since her last album, a fatal hiatus for almost any other artist, but just another hibernation for a woman whose disdain for fame only deepens our fascination. Sade’s voice sounds unchanged, a unique emotional instrument that conjures visions of rain-streaked windows and windblown streets. Her topics — love, loss, sorrow, strength — remain the same. But her music has still moved forward.
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