Eyedea tribute, RSE Radio on KFAI. It was wonderful spending two hours with the RSE regulars (the Rhymesayers folks) and special guests reminiscing with hilarious and inspirational stories about Micheal Larsen, the person. Eyedea tribute, the Current. Kevin Beacham, host of "Redefinition Radio," did a great job covering the musical career of Eyedea. My only wish is to have an additional program covering this talented artist whom we lost much too soon.
KFAI (90.3 and 106.7 FM). I've become an even bigger radio junkie after discovering this long-lived community radio station. This is appointment radio for those of us who have expansive cultural and historical interests.
ERIN MORTENSON, COTTAGE GROVE
To contribute: popmusic@startribune.com
LCD Soundsystem/Hot Chip, Wilkins Auditorium. With LCD, modern dance-punk never sounded so electrifying and fun. Hot Chip also made its techno dance music come alive to get this party started. Kudos for the best sound ever at Wilkins. Maybe curtaining off the sides helped. How 'bout some sort of covering over the too-high ceiling next?
Gwyneth Paltrow, "Country Strong." On the title song for her forthcoming movie, the wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin proves she can sing. At least, country. She doesn't have a big voice but she has the right attitude with this tune. Can't wait to see the movie, co-starring singer/actors Tim McGraw and Leighton Meester.
Max Weinberg Big Band, Dakota. It was pretty much the same repertoire as at the Dakota in July, but there was more space onstage, the horn-heavy band sounded road-tested tighter and Mighty Max's hard swinging boys nailed their two Springsteen tunes. Loved the sax battle during "Rat Race" and the Sinatra ballad "Only the Lonely."
JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE
