iSPY January 2012

Shelby LynneRestaurant WeekEinstein on the BeachAnn Arbor Folk Festival

January 2012 // ispymagazine.co

Folk the Police

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PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE www.theark.org

Tickets on sale now at the Michigan Union Ticket Office, Herb David Guitar Studio, and The Ark box office. Charge by phone: 734. 763.TKTS

DEVOTCHKARYAN ADAMS

contents JANUARY

[the buzz]06 Verve Pipe, Sundance, Dragon Wagon, Greensky Bluegrass

[scene]07 Orpheum Bell

08 Folk the Police

[style]12 All About Mustard

[features]14 Einstein on the Beach

16 Ann Arbor Folk Festival

20 Shelby Lynne24 Ann Arbor Restaurant Week

[foodie]10 The Dish: Cool Cafes - Ugly Mug + Cafe Ambrosia

11 Adventures in Local Food #13

[around you]22 January Events Calendar

[review]26 Rate it! - Sounds

28 Rate it! - The Cut

29 2011 iSPY Albums of the Year

31 2011 Year in Photos

PUBLISHER +tim adkinsEDITORIAL +[editor in chief]amanda slater[writers]amanda slater, tim adkins, stefanie stauffer, paul kitti, marissa mcnees, aimee mandle, mary simkins, david nassar, ian cruz, jeff miloART +[designers]tim adkins, jennifer oliphant, gwen landrum

© 2011, iSPY. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of Pakmode Media + Marketing in accordance with our legal statement. iSPY is free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. For additional copies you must be granted written permission, with a possible associated cost. www.ispymagazine.co

The Washtenaw County Events and Entertainment Guide

Pakmode Media + Marketing124 Pearl st. Suite 407,

Ypsilanti, MI 48197Office: 734.484.0349

Email: [email protected]/ispymagazine

Shelby Lynne+ pg 20

2011 Photo Review+ pg 31

A2 Folk Festival+ pg 16

SALES +[print + online]tim adkins / [email protected][business development]bilal saeed/[email protected]

*iSPY is now hiring! We’re looking for help with sales and delivery. Please email: [email protected]

iSPY Albums of 2011+ pg 29

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THE BUZZ //

Sundance Film Festival // Michigan Theater / Jan. 26 & 29 BY PAUL KITTI

Michigan’s own Dragon Wagon will be hitting the stage on January 6 at Woodruff’s in Ypsilanti as they make their return to Ypsi for the first time since Michigan Roots Jamboree, with their friends from Ft. Wayne Indiana, The End Times Spasm Band and local favorites, Ghost City Searchlight. You can also catch them on January 29 at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor for Folk the Police.

After forming in 2008, Dragon Wagon has become one of Michigan’s premier bluegrass outfits, and their combination of mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass and drums has set them apart from other bluegrass-folk groups.

Based in Ann Arbor, the band has played all across the country and describes their sound as “bluegrass folk-rock with a shot of whiskey.” They are also known for the infectious energy of their shows as well as honest music, humor and a genuine crowd connection that you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

For more information on Dragon Wagon, or to find tickets, please visit dragonwagonband.com

BY MARISSA MCNEES

Dragon Wagon // Woodruff’s / Jan. 6 The Verve Pipe //

The Ark / Jan. 21 BY iSPY STAFF

The Verve Pipe returns to Ann Arbor’s The Ark on Friday January 21 as the East Lansing heroes continue their rock rebirth into 2012 and beyond. In addition to readying material for a new rock album, the band is hard at work on material for a follow up to “A Family Album.”

The Verve Pipe charted hits on mainstream and alternative radio, including the No. 1 single “The Freshmen” – one of the most successful multi-format tracks of its decade. The band’s reformation has seen them booked at high profile events like the Austin City Limits Festival and Lollapalooza. In addition to traditional concert events, the band has regularly performed at popular family concerts in cities across the country, including SummerStage in New York’s Central Park, showcasing material from the new record. These events serve to foster the next generation of music fans while giving parents the opportunity to share in their kid’s first concert.

On January 26, the Michigan Theater will again become an official venue of the Sundance Film Festival. For film lovers, this means an opportunity to participate in one the most revered film events of the year – an opportunity afforded in only nine cities in the U.S. outside of Utah, the official stage for the festival.

The official selection for the Ann Arbor audience is “For A Good Time, Call…” directed by Jamie Travis, who will be present to introduce the film and participate in a Q&A with the audience following the screening. This emotionally-driven comedy about two women who start a phone sex line is Travis’ directorial debut and should make for an interesting Sundance experience for Ann Arbor filmgoers. This event will coincide with the official festival in Park City, Utah, and conclude with a series of short films on January 29. Tickets for both the showcase film and the short film series are on sale now and can be purchased through the Michigan Theater.

BY iSPY STAFFFollowing the band’s biggest year since

forming in 2000, Greensky Bluegrass has confirmed its plans for a New Year’s Eve run of shows in its home state of Michigan, performing two nights at the Majestic Theatre Center in Detroit, December 30th at The Magic Stick and December 31st at The Majestic Theatre. Ann Arbor’s The Macpodz open both nights.

“After an incredibly successful NYE show in Denver last year, our hometown fans expressed some disappointment in not being able to be with us for what is always one of the most epic shows of the year. When we started looking at options to bring the show back to Michigan, we tried to figure out a venue that could

accommodate Michigan folks as well as our out of state fans. When we were presented with The Majestic Theatre, a beautiful old relic in downtown Detroit, we couldn’t resist the idea of a two night Motown celebration!” – Anders Beck

As a bonus for all, Greensky Bluegrass is giving away half of Handguns for free. This five-song Handguns EP is available on the Greensky Bluegrass website for anyone who wants to listen.

Doors are at 8:00 PM and tickets are $15 for 12/30 and $25 for 12/31. All ages are welcome and tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and without fees at The Majestic Theatre box office and UHF Records in Royal Oak.

Greensky Bluegrass wsg The Macpodz // Majestic Theater / Dec. 30 & 31

7 JANUARY 2012 i SPYwww.ispymagazine.co // @ispymagazine

// SCENE

Orpheum Bell is a breakout group of musicians that consists of Aaron Klein, Henrik Karapetyan, Katie Lee, Michael Billmire and Serge van der Voo. The group is among the elite segment of musicians that both per-plexes and fascinates music lovers, as it is difficult to explain their sound or categorize their music within any particular genre. However, there is no doubt that they are all as talented as they are creative. Thus, it should be no surprise that they are from the city that seems to collect perplexing, talented and creative artists whose music cannot quite be categorized – Ann Arbor.

Self proclaimed as “American country, a little swing, Eastern European and a little gypsy,” the best label the group can put on their music in a nutshell is “Country and Eastern.”

Orpheum Bell utilizes instruments including the ukulele, banjo, pump organ, xylophone, glockenspiel, shepherd harp, mandolin, violin (and more) and makes use of multiple singers (both male and female). Their influences range from people groups such as Gypsies to Cubans and Appalachians. And yet, somehow all of these sounds combine, blending together as one.

In December, the band released their second full-length album, “The Old Sisters’ Home’” – which is, just like the rest of their music, a creation that is beyond description. So we encourage you to check it out (and we’ll leave it up to you to explain). And, as Orpheum Bell is known for their live perfor-mance, be sure to check their upcoming tour dates for a show near you.

Orpheum Bell will be performing alongside The Juliets, Kent County String Band and Pistolbrides at 10 p.m. on January 21 at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids. For more dates, visit orpheumbell.com.

BY AMANDA SLATER

Orpheum Bell


SCENE //

You know those posters you see plastered all around Ann Arbor and Ypsi advertising some awesome night of music or another? I always get excited and tell myself I’ll remember – and I never do. But last year when I saw a poster advertising a night of “folk artists covering hip hop songs at the Blind Pig” I did something I had never done before – made an actual note of the day to ensure I attended. The concept of the evening was hilari-ous and original, and I couldn’t see how it would fail. The brain child of Ann Arbor’s 107.1 DJ Matthew Altruda, the night is a folk music tribute to hip-hop. The artists of the first annual Folk the Police fully embraced and ran with their as-signments – and last year’s event was a huge success. There’s always that moment when you realize what song the artist is covering, and the juxtaposition of genres makes for a truly unique listening experience. This year’s lineup features Jamie Register, Dragon Wagon, Rootstand, The Appleseed Collective, Back Forty, Heroes on Parade and Nathan K – just to name a few. Once everyone has played their two classic hip hop covers, it’s time for “Good n’ Gangster,” featuring Chris Good, Brennan Andes and Michael Anne Erlewine. The last band of the evening, Tree City, will be reversing folk music to hip hop. Not only does a folk tribute to hip hop make for some serious belly laughs, but the slowed-down, souled-up renditions bring a new meaning to the original songs. The night also serves to bring attention to fantastic local musicians, and the two-song limit allows for more artists throughout the night than a typical concert. If last year’s Folk the Police was any indication, then the second incarnation is not to be missed. The Second Annual Folk the Police at the Blind Pig is at 8 p.m. on January 29, 2011. Mark your planners – I already did. Folk the Police will be hosted by Matthew Altruda, host of Tree Town Sound, and will kick off at 8 p.m. on January 29, 2012 at the Blind Pig. Tickets are $10. For tickets or more information on the YouTube contest and ticket prices, visit blingpigmusic.com or find “Folk the Police” on Facebook.

BY MARY SIMKINS

A Folk Tribute to Hip Hop and Gangsta Rap


BY AMANDA SLATER

FOODIE // THE DISH

Living the Dream with

With finals week finally wrapping up, I’ve just

about had it with finding a good place to study. I live in my sorority house, so you can imagine the amount of work that gets done in a house full of women. Then, there’s the library, which is great – except for the fact that everyone has that same idea and finding somewhere to camp out is nearly impossible. As a coffee lover, I’ve ventured into various Starbucks with my laptop and all my books, but I really wanted somewhere cozy where I could get a great cup of coffee and remove myself from the world for a few hours …or maybe more. The answer to my dilemma was found at The Ugly Mug in Ypsilanti.

I can’t believe I just finished my first semester

of my senior year at Eastern Michigan University and had never been to The Ugly Mug—until now. The selection of books and cool knick-knacks are enough to keep a person there for hours just to browse. But the creative menu and quality coffee is what sets the Ugly Mug apart from your average coffee shop.

The coffee menu can be intimidating (at least for newbies like me) with items like Café del Diablo, a Mexican latte and all kinds of espresso, but you definitely cannot go wrong with a regular cup of coffee. My personal favorites are the macchiato and the mocha—coffeehouse staples that always seem to please. In addition to ridicu-lously good coffee, any place that has meat-free menu items instantly has my vote. The Ugly Mug offers a variety of sandwiches, pastries and breakfast items – many of which are vegetarian or vegan. Take the P.B. & Jagel for instance. It’s basically what it sounds like: a bagel with peanut butter and jelly (a simple idea, yet so delicious).

So, for those of you like me who have been

living under a rock for three and a half years, try something new and check out the Ugly Mug. They’re serving plenty of seasonal drinks like an egg nog and gingerbread lattes. And, if you just want somewhere quiet and cozy to get your work done, the Ugly Mug is the perfect place to go.

The Ugly Mug is open Mon. – Fri. from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sat. – Sun. from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Ugly Mug Café and Roastery

adventures in local food #13

Café Ambrosia is one of downtown Ann

Arbor’s best kept secrets. Located in a non-descript building on a quiet block, it’s a great place to take a break from a busy day, or enjoy a peaceful studying/working environ-ment. With extra seating downstairs, there is almost always somewhere quiet to hole up with a book or computer. With great coffee, tea and pastries, decent prices and friendly service, Café Ambrosia is Ann Arbor’s go-to place for a quiet and comfortable atmo-sphere. Café Ambrosia is independently owned, which lends to the place’s overall feeling of hominess and shabby-chic. During my most

recent visit, I chose to try one of the café’s many tea varieties. Having heard wonderful things about their Chai tea latte, I was not disappointed. Served in a tall glass rather than a mug, the latte was the perfect drink to sip while getting some work done. When visiting, expect heaping portions and (often) free refills. Café Ambrosia is located at 326 Maynard Street in downtown Ann Arbor and is open Mon. – Thurs from 7 a.m. – 3 a.m., Fri. 7 a.m. – Midnight, Sat. 8 a.m. – Midnight and Sun. 9 a.m. – Midnight.

Café Ambrosia

BY MARISSA MCNEES

BY MARY SIMKINS

317 W. Cross, Ypsi

326 Maynard St., Ann Arbor


// FOODIE

As we discussed in November, there are plenty of farmers and backyard gardeners here in Michi-gan (as in other cold places across the nation) who use techniques to extend the growing season. To match this increasing enthusiasm for year-round growing, there has been a subsequent increase in the number of winter or all-year farmer’s markets offering this locally-grown produce to the public. For instance, Ann Arbor, Flint and Detroit all have well-established year-round markets, and in Ypsi-lanti we’ve had a winter edition of the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmer’s Market for the last three years now. This year, we also had the MIX Marketplace pop-up holiday foods market in Ypsi, and there is talk that it will eventually be a weekly fixture from January through April. These are all such great developments for local food production, and I feel like there are so many similar stories from across the country and the world. In general, farmer’s markets are increasing in popularity, with a 17% increase in the number of markets reported by the USDA since 2010. The trend towards more winter markets also has a national scope. A web-search for “winter farmer’s market” had hits for 28 different markets in 12 states (in just the first three pages of results).

People are clearly interested in eating local food all year, and this is great news for eaters and produc-ers alike. This is great news for producers because winter markets help them maintain contact with enthusias-tic customers for longer, which, in turn, makes their business more economically viable. This is great news for eaters because winter markets give them access to healthy, high-quality local products for the whole year. For me, personally, the news is es-pecially positive as I have previously equated winter with having to eat the processed, “out-of season” foods that I try to avoid the rest of the year. Since I grow the majority of my own food, it’s often relatively easy for me to avoid those pro-cessed foods from April through December. But, by February, I usually can’t look at another jar of pasta sauce or pickled beets. This year I tried to further delay that eventuality by working even harder to freeze, dry and can my way to winter-time personal food security. I froze everything from watermelon juice to tomatillos to chimichurri, pickled everything from garlic scapes to green tomatoes to purslane and dried everything from peaches to squash to peppers. I was not leaving my winter access to homegrown food (and salsa) to chance.

But even if this tactic works perfectly, it’s great to know that I still have access to the farmer’s market (and perhaps even one in walking distance from my house) if I want it. Now, when I think of winter, I no longer have to dread the bland, over-processed food I used to have to eat in these cold months. Instead, I can look forward to the best tasting kale and daikon radishes ever! Therefore, it is in this way that winter farmer’s markets have reinvigorated my enthusiasm for winter, while opening up a whole new terrain of access to locally-grown and pro-duced food. So why not take advantage of the opportunity to eat local food this winter? It truly brings an added satisfaction for locally-grown food that you just can’t get when it’s ubiquituously available in the summer. Perhaps it’s the scarcity, perhaps it’s the flavor or perhaps just it’s the realization that you can eat food harvested out of the snow – in Michigan! Either way, being able to eat locally-grown food in the winter is a gift that inspires. Who knows? It may even inspire you to try a new recipe, break out the seed catalogue, start planning your garden for next year or start thinking about that one rare variety of seed you hope to find during seed swap season (for me this year it’s lemongrass).

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY STEFANIE T. STAUFFER

adventures in local food #13Winter Harvest

BY STEFANIE STAUFFER


STYLE //

Winter is well underway in Washtenaw County; however these Michiganders are beating the winter blues with pops of color and prints! This time of year many of us adorn ourselves with colors from a dark color palate. Just because the skies are grey does not mean your clothes have to be too. Lately on the streets I have seen the color mustard every-where. From footwear to outerwear, mustard is not just a color for fall. The nearly gold color is perfect for Holiday parties or any winter event.

*You can find these styles, advice and more at Lacey’s Etsy Shop Ruby Ross Vintage

Vintage mustard blazer with bowling patch detail , cream sweater,indigo dyed denim, leather oxfords

Scott

Grey cardigan, mustard pashmina,

vintage floral head scarf

Dora

It’s All About MustardBY LACEY LAKE

// SCENE

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In July of 1976, the curiously-titled opera “Ein-stein on the Beach” premiered in Avignon, France, to an audience who was expecting, well, an opera. The sprawling musical collage left viewers stunned, having witnessed a completely new form of artistic expression that broke many rules of opera while triumphantly instituting new ones. The produc-tion has since become somewhat of a mythic landmark, having surfaced only a handful of times since – while inspiring countless plays, orchestras and films to new levels of possibility. This January, in Ann Arbor’s Power Center for the Performing Arts, “Einstein on the Beach” will be resurrected for the first time in 20 years by the same people who orchestrated its premier. If you’re like me and were unfamiliar with this pro-duction until recently, think of it on the same level as the genre-twisting achievements of David Bowie or the ahead-of-its-time genius of Stanley Kubrick films. But while those comparisons reference

individuals who impacted their respective artistic mediums, “Einstein on the Beach” approached art from nearly every angle and shook it up. Calling “Einstein on the Beach” an opera is like calling Einstein himself a physicist. While that’s his most immediate identity, Einstein was also a humanist, philosopher and musician whose way of viewing the world was, to those of his time, other-worldly. And that is, perhaps, the reason why cre-ators Philip Glass and Robert Wilson chose Einstein as the singular reality grounding their otherwise distant and ethereal magnum opus: this opera is to postmodern art as Einstein was to modern science: a grand oddity with ideas that are so abstract and sensational that they are able to invoke wonder-ment immediately while slowly revealing their value. It goes against the nature of the production to at-tempt to explain it in words, so I’ll briefly lay out the skeleton of this opera and leave the magic to your actual experience:

I haven’t actually witnessed “Einstein on the Beach.” It’s a shooting star of a production, having only been mounted on three occasions in select cities (1976, 1984 and 1992). But, from what I’ve heard, its revival this January is going to be some-thing special. The opera consists of four intercon-nected acts that play out over a course of five hours. There is no intermission, and audiences are permitted to come and go at will. Like I said, this is abstract. And it gets a little stranger. Born from the minds of revered composer Philip Glass, whose work is as well known in opera as it is in film, and director Robert Wilson, often re-garded as one of the world’s greatest theatrical visionaries, “Einstein on the Beach” abandons any trace of traditional storytelling in favor of a more transcendent approach. Symbolism, scattered imagery, stream-of-consciousness poetic readings and simultaneously simplistic and intricate human movements from renowned choreographer Lucinda

FEATURE //

Einstein on the BeachGroundbreaking Opera is Resurrected in Ann Arbor BY PAUL KITTI


Childs are a few of the elements that bring this opera to life. Instrumentation consists of woodwinds, saxo-phones, violins, synthesizers and electronic organs. These ingredients combine in careful movement and repetition to form a dreamlike experience that is more likely to speak to your subconscious than to the rational part of your mind that’s trying to figure it all out. In a recent interview, Dr. Mark Clague (an Associ-ate Professor of Musicology at the University of Michigan and former Executive Editor for Music of the United States of America) provided some insight regarding the meaning of “Einstein on the Beach.” “‘Einstein’ plays with the resonances of history itself,” Dr. Clague explains. “To me, the creators’ point is that art forges meaning in a kind of symbolic interaction with its audience. As someone who grew up when ‘Einstein’ was premiered, I know that I’ll interpret the work in light of where America was at the time of its creation…” He reasons that the United States’ relations with the rest of the world through-out the Cold War, as well as the redefined concepts of our relation to the universe and the continued development of technology (all being issues in which Albert Einstein played a significant role), connect Einstein to the implied historical commentary of the production. Part of the beauty of “Einstein on the Beach” is

that it harbors those implications while allowing the audience to determine their meaning and direction. In this way, the opera remains a thought-provoking fever dream of an experience that is subject to the viewer’s interpretation, where it can be molded into a profound projection of mid-twentieth century history or left untouched as an awe-inspiring piece of art. However audiences choose to embrace “Einstein on the Beach,” there is no argument as to the sig-nificance of having this production remounted by its original creators in the city of Ann Arbor. In a recent press release, Glass commented on the gravity of the upcoming event, saying, “For [Wilson] and me, the 2012 revival of ‘Einstein on the Beach’ will be a most significant event, since, in all likelihood, this will be the last time that we will be together and able to work on the piece. For audiences, few of whom have experienced ‘Einstein’ apart from audio recordings, this tour will be a chance finally to see this seminal work.” The University Musical Society is acting as co-commissioner of the production and has organized a series of discussions entitled “Renegade” that will explore the themes and significance of ‘Einstein’ and other related productions. These free-of-charge discussions, hosted by Dr. Clague, will feature pre-sentations from genre experts including Glass and Wilson.

“So much of what we hope the arts bring to education is a spark of creativity,” says Dr. Clague. “These artists have been the mavericks who have inspired new ideas that have shaped art as a set of possibilities. They didn’t just ‘think outside the box’ – they shredded the box and made an opera out of it.” “Einstein on the Beach” will be performed on Fri-day, January 20 and Saturday, January 21 at 7 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday, January 21 at 2 p.m. For information regarding tickets and the UMS Renegade series, visit ums.org.

// FEATURE


FEATURE //

Born to FolkThe Ann Arbor Folk

Festival hits the Hill

to Celebrate 35 Years

Singer/songwriter Ryan Adams is fresh off his tour in support of his critically acclaimed album, “Ashes & Fire,” and will make his AAFF debut headlining Friday night’s show.

Ryan Adams


// FEATURE

One of A2’s most anticipated and celebrated annual events, the 35th annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival returns this year for two nights of down-home fun at Hill Auditorium. In an effort to raise money for The Ark, Ann Arbor’s premier nonprofit home for live folk, roots and ethnic music, the AAFF welcomes back old friends and new up-and-comers to share the stage for two intimate and festive evenings of some of the world’s finest folk performances. Recent years have brought monumental names from the folk/roots scene, including the likes of Roseanne Cash, Richie Havens, Pete Seeger, Kris Kristofferson and The Swell Season. 2012 sees the return of AAFF veterans including Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith, as well as two highly antici-pated first-time headliners, Ryan Adams and Glen Campbell.

Singer/songwriter Ryan Adams is fresh off his tour in support of his critically acclaimed album, “Ashes & Fire,” and will make his AAFF debut headlining Friday night’s show. Along with Emmy-lou Harris and Nanci Griffith, another AAFF first-timer, the legendary Glen Campbell will co-headline Saturday night’s lineup as he makes a stop in A2 for his farewell tour. Breaking new ground for their 35th birthday, the festival welcomes comedian Heywood Banks who will serve as MC for both nights. This year’s lineup also features the highly theatrical and interactive Caravan of Thieves, described as, “If Django Re-inhardt, the cast of Stomp and the Beatles all had a party at Tim Burton’s house, Caravan of Thieves would be the band they hired.” With a description like that, how can you go wrong? You can also catch Dawes, a California-based

folk/rock quartet that has worked with the likes of Wilco and Chris Robinson, playing Friday night along with Devotchka, Carbon Leaf and Elephant Revival. Saturday night’s show will include acts like veteran musician Joe Henry, the multi-stringed repertoire of Sarah Jarosz and the 22-year-old up-and-comer Seth Glier, who has shared the stage with artists like James Taylor and Mark Knopfler. The 35th annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival will be held at Hill Auditorium Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, starting at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets are on sale now starting at $80 for one night or $145 for both nights, which includes a tax-deductible donation to The Ark. Platinum Circle Tickets ($160/$290) include backstage passes dur-ing intermission and an invitation to the Saturday pre-glow party. Visit theark.org for more information and a complete lineup and schedule.

Dawes

BY DAVID NASSAR

Emmylou Harris DeVotchka

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// FEATURES

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FEATURE //

Shelby Lynne is truly a renaissance woman. She does a little bit of everything (yet does it all well) and is always open to learning more. She is a genre-crossing singer/songwriter who broke onto the scene with the alt-country album “I Am Shelby Lynne” – ultimately helping her win a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2001. She also has acted in a major film – “Walk the Line,” in which she portrayed Johnny Cash’s mother. She has acted on television, making an appearance in the series “Army Wives.” And, if that weren’t enough, she writes books and paints as well. Lynne is currently fresh off the release of her thirteenth studio album, “Revelation Road,” for which she not only wrote all of the music and sang all of the songs but also played all instru-ments (and recorded and produced the album).

iSPY recently had the opportunity to catch up with Lynne about her new album and more, and here’s what she had to say. What kind of struggles or inspiration led you to the creation of “Revelation Road”? Acceptance, life, understanding where I am to-day as a 43-year-old person, the hills and the val-leys you go through every day in mere existence while trying to make the best out of it and see the positive side of the world – and there is one. We just have to choose to see it that way. People are saying that “Revelation Road” is the most personal album you’ve ever written. Would you agree with that? I think it’s personal, but all my music is personal. I don’t think it’s worth a damn if you don’t make it personal.

What do you enjoy the most about being a professional musician? What’s not to enjoy? The freedom of making music for a living is a luxury and an honor. Why do you think music is important? Without music, we don’t have anything. How so? It’s a universal language. You can go anywhere in the world and play your songs. People might listen without even knowing what you’re saying – pretty powerful. Did you always know you wanted to be a musician? Yes. How old were you when you first realized that this is what you wanted to do for a living? About three.

BY AMANDA SLATER

Modern Day Renaissance Woman

Shelby Lynne visits Ann Arbor


// FEATURE That’s pretty incredible. I’m lucky. Tell me a little about your songwriting pro-cess. Are you the kind of person who gets an idea while you’re out somewhere or driving and has to write it down or are you the kind of person who sits down and tells yourself, “I’m going to write a song”? Well, I always have pen and paper handy or my iPhone – thank God for iPhones, right? I kind of store ideas and collect them like a squirrel in a jar. Then when I’m ready to concentrate on writing a song, I pull out my jar of little nuts and berries. And then other times, I’ll just be inspired and pick up the guitar and it just kind of falls out. So there’s not really a process. It’s more like luck, and the songwriting angels come and visit. You have to be ready. Are there any particular people who have influenced you as far as your style goes? No because I don’t know what the hell my style is. I just like really good. I don’t try to be a particu-lar thing. I just want to be good, and there’s a lot of songwriters I like. I like everything from Kristof-ferson to Jimmy Webb, but you can’t write songs like they write because that’s what they did. You just try to do something like you did. What’s the definition of good for you? Something that’s going to stand up for eternity. What kind of a song stands up for eternity? It’s got a lyrical content that’s not terribly light. It makes you have to feel. It makes you have to think. I feel like emotions are good in music. Everybody loves pop music because it’s fun. You can cut up to it, dance to it, put it on in the background. You don’t have to think about what anyone’s really saying. You like the beat or what-ever. But I love lyrics. And I try to write the best lyrics I can. Do you feel like your lyrics are poetry in some ways? Is there a crossover there? Well, I think that music is poetry, and there are so many different kinds of poetry. But yes – I think that when you’re trying to tell a story to music, it has to have a rhyme or rhythm about it and hope-fully the connection is made between pen and paper and listener and writer and the universe. Some singer/songwriters see music as a form of therapy for themselves. Are you one of those?I’m not consciously ever trying to heal myself. I don’t feel like I need it, but I think all of us are al-ways searching for a safe place. And I’m lucky – I have music to rock me to sleep sometimes. What is your greatest hope for your songs – other than that they will endure or that people will relate? What do you want people to walk away thinking?

Well, just to walk away thinking – start there. What would you like them to think about?

Shelby Lynne visits Ann Arbor

“I love the Ark. It’s a great venue. It’s per-fect for what I’m doing, which is just me and the guitar. They always have a great crowd there.”

I just want them to think that there’s something to think about – how it relates to their own world. I’ve. written songs about my childhood in Alabama. Not everybody has a childhood in Alabama that’s going to listen to the record, but they might have a sister and they might have a father. Sometimes there’s some kinship there. How did you end up acting in “Walk the Line”? I heard they were making a movie, so I talked to somebody and got in it. It’s a true thing what they say – you want something bad enough, you can have it. Was there a particular reason you wanted to be in that film? I was interested in the film without knowing any-thing really about it – just because I knew they were making it in Memphis, and I’m a Johnny Cash fan. I felt like there was a good story there, and it turned out to be a really excellent script and a good film. What was the experience like for someone who hadn’t acted in that capacity before? It was fine. You sit around a lot, and it was hot. It was August. But I learned a lot, and I liked the people and they were really good to me. I would do it again if the right thing came along, but it’s not at the top of my list. It’s okay, but it’s pretty boring. So what’s on the horizon for you? You’ve ac-

complished a lot already. What’s next? I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing, Amanda. And I’m going to write some books and paint some paintings and keep making music because that’s what I was put here to do. And I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life, and I’m grateful and I’m blessed – but more of the same. You’re coming to the Ark in Ann Arbor to per-form. What do you like best about the area? You know better than that – I don’t know any-thing but the backside of a damn venue. But I’ve played the Ark many times. I love the Ark. It’s a great venue. It’s perfect for what I’m doing, which is just me and the guitar. I dig an intimate thing. They always have a great crowd there, so I’m excited. For those who may never have seen you live, what should they expect from your perfor-mance? I’m just doing my thing. I show up with my guitar, and I sing my songs. Hopefully they can relate in some way with their world when my world collides with theirs. Shelby Lynne will perform at 8 p.m. on January 16 at The Ark in Ann Arbor. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or in person. For more information, visit theark.org


CALENDAR // AROUND YOU

ispymagazine.co

1/23 The Juliets, The Ark, Ann

Arbor Denis Mastuev, 7:30 p.m.,

Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor 1/24

An Acoustic Café featuring Erin McKeown, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Open Land, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

1/25

Whistle Pigs, 8 p.m., Circus Bar & Billiards, Ann Arbor

The Dial-Up Tour with Live Lava Live, 6 p.m., St. Andrew’s Hall, Detroit

1/26

3LAU, 9 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

1/27

The 35th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival: Night 1, 6:30 p.m., Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

Chris Bathgate, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Lizerrd, 10 p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti

1/28

The 35th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival: Night 2, 6:30 p.m., Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

Killer Flamingos, 9 p.m., Circus Bar & Billiards, Ann Arbor

DJ Helluva, 9 p.m., Circus Bar & Billards – Gotham City, Ann Arbor

XV, 7 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

The Werks, 11 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Les Violons du Rov, 8 p.m., Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor

Dan Bennet Quartet, 8 p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti

Todd Osborn, 11 p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti

1/11

Henhouse Prowlers, 8 p.m., Circus Bar & Billiards, Ann Arbor

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Seize the Karp, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

1/12

An Dro, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Lil Wyte, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

The Afternoon Round, 8 p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti

1/13

Mountain Heart, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Machine Gun Kelly, 8 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

In Flames, 6:30 p.m., Royal Oak Music Theatre

1/14

Theo Katzman: Songwriting Workshop, 2 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

The Yellow Room Gang, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Slim Pickenz & the Big Appetite, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Young Jeezy, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit

1/15

Bearfoot, 7:30 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

1/16 Shelby Lynne, 8 p.m., The

Ark, Ann Arbor 1/18

Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, 8 p.m., Circus Bar & Billiards, Ann Arbor

English, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

1/19

Martin Sexton and Bhi Bhiman, 7 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Thinner Teed, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

1/20

Keb’ Mo’, 8 p.m., Royal Oak Music Theatre

Student Songwriter Series: The Ark at UMMA, 8 p.m., University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor

The RFD Boys, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Bedroxx, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

1/21

Killer Flamingos, 9 p.m., Circus Bar & Billiards – Millennium Club, Ann Arbor

DJ Helluva, 9 p.m., Circus Bar & Billards – Gotham City, Ann Arbor

The Verve Pipe Family Show, 11 a.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

International Guitar Night, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Turquoise Jeep, 9 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Machine Head, 6:30 p.m., Royal Oak Music Theatre

Koffin Kats, 10 p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti

1/22

Lonesome Country & Goldmine Pickers, 7:30 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

1/1 Mittenfest VI: Day 5, 4:30

p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti 1/3

The Sympathy Orchestra, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

1/4

Dragon Wagon, 8 p.m. Circus Bar & Billiards, Ann Arbor

Violet Void, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Wu-Tang Clan, 8 p.m., Royal Oak Music Theatre

Silk Filled Stilts, 9 p.m., Woodurff’s, Ypsilanti

1/5

Red Pill and Hir-O, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Avicii, 6:30 p.m., Fillmore, Detroit

1/6

Black Jake and the Carnies, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Soul Club, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Dragon Wagon, 10 p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti

1/7

Jill Jack Birthday Bash, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Starling Electric, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

1/8

Deep Fried Pickle Project, 1 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Bitch and Ferron, 7:30 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

MUSIC

12/26 The Hard Lessons, 8 p.m.,

St. Andrew’s, Detroit Laith Al-Saadi, 10 p.m.,

Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti 12/28

Mittenfest VI: Day 1, 4:30 p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti

12/29


Crossroads Ceili, 7:30 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

The Vagrant Symphony, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

12/30


Crossroads Ceili, 7:30 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Nickie P., 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

The Bad Girls Club, 9 p.m., St. Andrew’s Hall, Detroit

12/31


The Fred Eaglesmith Traveling Show, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

The Bang!, 9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

New Edition, 9 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit

New Year’s Eve with Third Coast Kings, 8 p.m., Corner Brewery, Ypsilanti

[ HAVE AN EVENT?SUBMIT IT ONLINE.

FOR FREE!

BY AMANDA SLATER 2012

december / [[


AROUND YOU // CALENDAR1/29

Folk the Police, 8 p.m., Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Hamburg Symphony Orchestra/Messiaen’s From the Canyons to the Stars, 4 p.m., Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

COMEDY & SPEAKING

1/7 WhyNot? Burlesque, 10

p.m., Woodruff’s, Ypsilanti 1/28

Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy, 8 p.m., The Palace, Auburn Hills

FILM

1/26 Sundance Film Festival

selection screening, 7:30 p.m., Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor

1/29

Sundance Shorts, 7 p.m., Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor

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FEATURE //

BY AMANDA SLATER

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Ann Arbor restaurant week! Ann Arbor Restaurant Week is a twice-a-year event during which patrons can choose from extraordinary three course dinner menus and prix fare lunch menus from some of Ann Arbor’s best restaurants all for one low price ($12 for lunch or $25 for dinner) – and this year, iSPY is an official sponsor. It’s the perfect time to discover new restaurants or enjoy favorite dishes at a discounted price.

How it works: Lunch is a $12 menu of special restaurant week items. It is an open format, offering restaurants the opportunity to create one, two or three courses designed to please your palette and your pocketbook. Many restaurants offer two for one pricing. Dinner is a fixed price three course menu for $25, with most restau-rants offering a choice of menu items for each course. A limited number of restaurants will be offering two for one pricing. Restaurant week is January 15 – January 20, 2012. Be sure to make reservations early at participating restaurants. Tables fill up fast! And, for those who can’t get enough of restaurant week, be on the lookout for the second 2012 Ann Arbor Restaurant Week in June.

Celebrate the best in dining Ann Arbor has to offer

January 15 – 20 2012

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Arbor Brewing CompanyThe ArenaArgiero’s

Bandito’s California StyleBar Louie

The Black PearlThe Blue Nile

Café FelixCafé JaponCarlyle Grill

Carson’s American BistroThe Chop HouseConor O’Neill’s

The Original Cottage InnThe Earle

Grange Kitchen & BarGratzi

Grizzly PeakJamaican Jerk Pit

Jazzy VeggieJolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery

LoganMahek

Mani Osteria & Bar Marnee Thai Restaurant

MediterranoMélange BistroThe Melting Pot

Metzger’sMercy’s

Miki Japanese RestaurantPacific RimParthenon

Passport Restaurant and LoungePrickly Pear CaféThe Quarter BistroThe Ravens Club

Real Seafood CompanySabor Latino

Satchel’s BBQSava’s on State

SevaShalimar

Silvio’s Organic PizzaVinology Wine Bar & Restaurant

Participating Restaurants

A private member-based collective providing services and consultation

to registeredMichigan patientsand caregivers.

321 East Liberty StreetAnn Arbor, MI 48104(side garden entrance)

phone: 734.929.2602email: [email protected] Michigan Non-Profit Corporation

www.a2wellness.org

HoLIStIC HEALINg SErvICES• Massage• Accupuncture• Yoga• NutritionalCounseling• Classes&Education

ALtErNAtIvE MEdICINE SoLutIoNS• Flowers• Concentrates• Tinctures• Balms&Ointments

quAliTY+COMpAssiON+susTAiNABiliTY

FREEGiFTFORNEWMEMBERs!WhENMENTiONiNGThisAd!

// FEATURE

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REVIEW // SOUNDS

26

After her unexpected passing last summer, Amy Winehouse left behind a half finished assortment of tracks. In her honor, a posthumous collection of covers and original material was put together and produced as “Lioness: Hidden Treasures” in a seamless show of throwback sounds that range from doo-wop to soul. If anything, “Lioness” feels like odds and ends pieced together to deliver something to fans after Winehouse’s untimely death. While there could have been hope for a spectacular rundown of tracks, there is too little in this collection to feel like a complete album. The covers, unfinished material and rough cuts sound more like a demo than an actual album from an artist that established herself with “Back to Black.” The album begins with reggae-influenced “Our Day Will Come” that is reminiscent of Winehouse’s traditional style. “Like Smoke” is a pop/hip-hop mash with Nas,

“The Girl from Ipanema” is a polished cover that was recorded when Winehouse was 18 and “Half Time” is a slow, sweet and smooth song that is engaging from start to finish. The real highlights are “Wake Up Alone” and “A Song For You,” carrying a heavy dose of somber emotion that makes the album worth a listen. At best, the album is a re-mastering of recordings from the last nine years that never made the original cut, assembled as a Hail Mary to preserve her memory and talent. Her personality and bravado are noticeably absent, displaying only her penchant and specialty for retro vocals permeated by modern rhythms – which is nothing new from what has already been proved with her previous two albums. It’s a bold assumption, but it can be imagined that if Winehouse were still with us, her third album would sound very different than “Lioness.”

After making 12 albums over the course of 18 years, The Roots have finally produced their most avant-garde project yet, “Undun.” The conceptual album follows the downfall of fictional character Redford Stephens in this advisory account. Based off of two key songs – the Guess Who’s “undun” and Sufjan Stevens’ “Redford” – the album is a 14-track story that starts off at the tragic end Redford’s life and regresses backwards.

The album spins a tale about Redford’s venture down the wrong path, centered on bad decisions that forever alter the course of his life. It is about falling apart and the self-realizations that Redford has as everything unfolds. Each track is laced with the sort of despair and desperation that you would expect to come with a chaotic career in drugs and hustling.

The album kicks off with the flat lining of a heart monitor in “Dun” and progresses into low-key, dark “Sleep” that glimpses into Redford’s last moments as he accepts his death. “Make My” showcases newcomer Big K.R.I.T, Dice Raw and Black Thought as they explore Redford’s addiction to drugs and criminal activities that have become a prominent fixture

in his life. “Kool On” is a 70’s funk-tinged jam that focuses on the glamorous upside of illicit doings and “The OtherSide” is Redford’s recognition of his impending death – and perhaps the ultimate

foreshadowing of what is to come in a lush blend between old school R&B and a piano driven backdrop. As for the four part movement at the end, it is better left for fans to experience firsthand and without the influence of critics.

As far as conceptual albums go, it is a rarity to see one executed in hip-hop/neo soul. It is an interesting look into how storytelling can be infused into songwriting – a difficult feat for any artist. With a few core albums that have already set the tone, “Undun” is a multi-faceted addition to a very short but innovative list. The use of several featured artists strengthens the album and its intention to give a multitude of full-bodied voices to Redford’s colliding psyc he. It plays out like a doomed Greek comedy, but that is its charm.

The Roots have been the type of group that have given into their artistic cravings, which has ultimately benefited those looking for music that goes beyond typical thematic fare. With that being said, this album takes listeners back the beginning of the Roots’ career with “Illadelph Halflife” and is a strong addition to their already impressive collection of albums.

ARTIST: The RootsALBUM: Undun5/5 TOWERS BY AIMEE MANDLE

rate it+++

ARTIST: Amy WinehouseALBUM: Lioness: Hidden Treasures3/5 TOWERS BY AIMEE MANDLE


SOUNDS // REVIEW

ARTIST: The Black KeysALBUM: El Camino5/5 TOWERS BY DAVID NASSAR

rate it+++Lean, tight and as to-the-point as any Tom Petty album, “El Camino” harkens back to a 70’s pop, rock and soul sound that is universally gratifying and uniquely The Black Keys’. The fact is that, for all of its fuzzy guitar tones and melodic overlays, you can’t help but want to shake your money-maker to every three-and-a-half minute cut – due in no small part, I’m sure, to the re-enlistment of “Attack and Release” producer, Danger Mouse. While hardcore fans might be disappointed that “El Camino” does not mark a return to the Black Keys’ stripped down, blues heavy, riff-machine indie days, it’s tough to say anything negative about this album. From retro-Keys hits like “Money Maker” and the infectious first single, “Lonely Boy,” to the “Stairway”-esque acoustic/electric arrangement of “Little Black Submarines,” the only thing you’re left wondering is whether or not these guys will ever write a bad song. If the first 10 years of this band is any indicator, I wouldn’t bet on it.


REVIEW // SOUNDS

FILM: Like CrazyDIRECTOR: Drake Doremus4/5 TOWERS BY PAUL KITTI

This is a boy meets girl story – the kind where an American boy falls in love with a British exchange student, but the British girl violates her visa. Then the evil American government puts restrictions on her traveling plans to see the boy (There are good reasons these rules are in place. And there are no exceptions – not even cute British girls.). Life is cruel during the time spent apart, and boy can only visit girl so often because he has a lucrative business in L.A. and an American side-girlfriend. But each time it looks like the love has wilted, a little color starts to come back into the petals. And this pattern repeats throughout the story, which seemed intent on convincing me that long distance relationships can be hard. Oh. The cynical side of me always gets the first word so the more impressionable side can have time to think. And I think the reason I really like this movie is because it tells a story we’ve all heard before, but in a voice that is unfamiliar and alluring. Picture the creativity of “500 Days of Summer” with the intimacy of “Blue Valentine” and the sentiment of “The Notebook” and then go see this movie, because it flirts with those comparisons while moving in an entirely new direction. There’s some great dialogue, but the heart

of the story is communicated though lingering shots of perfectly-executed body language. And I feel cold describing it that way, because the acting in this movie is so natural that it almost becomes too intimate (Felicity Jones made the best actress decision way too easy for Sundance voters). Director Drake Doremus, who I think we’ll be seeing a lot more from in the years to come, lets his camera float candidly through these characters’ lives at an organic pace that accentuates the poignant moments without exploiting their poignancy. Yeah, this is another boy meets girl story. But it’s an entirely different beast of a film.

+++rate it

Sherlock Holmes is back again in the second installment of (what has now become) the Sherlock Holmes series. In this incarnation, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) borders on some type of superhero whose “power” is his brilliant mind. Not only is Holmes able to solve mysteries and think up elaborate schemes, but, if found in a threatening situation, he is also a formidable opponent in a fight – all of which is attributed to his uncanny ability to think ahead and stay several steps ahead of his adversaries. Jude Law plays Dr. Watson, his “sidekick” whose added intellect serves as the yin to Holmes’ yang. At the opening of this film, Watson is about to get married and begin a quiet life away from his former escapades with Holmes when (of course) the two find themselves entangled in a mystery that requires Watson to join Holmes for “one last adventure.” The refreshingly unpredictable plot moves almost as fast as Holmes’ mind from beginning to end – and, if you turn away for a second, you might miss

a crucial piece of information. Although it may be easy for critics to dismiss this kind of film, the truth is that it is made very well – from the careful attention to period-specific details in dialogue, set and costume design to Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law’s perfect comedic timing to Guy Ritchie’s artistic vision. The film is laced with slow motion action scenes that have become a signature of sorts for Ritchie and the Sherlock series but that are shot beautifully. And, in this refreshing departure from the many flicks that simply tell audiences how a mystery was solved, Ritchie opts to show them – leading audiences to Holmes’ conclusions on their own through careful and artistic direction. As cliché as it may sound, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” truly has something for everyone and, in an unusual twist, just might be better than its predecessor.

FILM: Sherlock HolmesDIRECTOR: Guy Ritchie4/5 TOWERS BY AMANDA SLATER


FILM: Sherlock HolmesDIRECTOR: Guy Ritchie4/5 TOWERS BY AMANDA SLATER

// REVIEW

iSPY’s Top 30 Albums of the Year

"21” Adele

“Salt Year” Chris Bathgate

“Mylo Xyloto” Coldplay

“Watch the Throne” Jay-Z and Kanye West

“Torches” Foster the People

The iTunes bonus tracks that didn’t make the final cut for this album are excellent, but Jay and West have done excellent before. This project is something a little different – like the shadowy corner-field of the excellence arena, where only the most daring hitters choose to point their bats before pulling their swing. – Paul Kitti

Hawthorne’s second major studio release is consistently strong, beginning with some romantic R&B and moving to upbeat 60’s-inspired, danceable soul. This album provides much to be impressed by, including Mayer Hawthorne’s vocal range, his grasp on his subject matter and what an important role is still played by the legacy of Motown. – Mary Simkins

“Burst Apart” is a forty-minute statement consisting of ten cohesive tracks that present a vibrant and confident sound. While “Hospice” drew its power from the narrative it was bound to, “Burst Apart” allows The Antlers to exercise more freedom lyrically and musically, resulting in an album that is less emotionally affecting than “Hospice” but more accessible and demonstrative of what the band is capable of. – Paul Kitti

“The Whole Love” finds the Chicago-based outfit stringing together genres on an alternative rock thread, delivering unshakeable pop melodies in between creative bursts of organ, crunchy guitar and twangy strings. – Paul Kitti

“Within and Without” Washed Out

“Ashes and Fire” Ryan Adams

“Fire and Ice” Kaskade

“Undun” The Roots

“Ashes & Fire” features a strong case that Adams

can put out an album that is more than the sum of

its parts – something that is uncommon in even the

most gifted musician. – Aimee Mandle

“Bad as Me” Tom Waits

While the apparent lack of structure and the sparse,

difficult-to-interpret lyrics can initially be frustrating, “King

of Limbs” rewards those who just keep listening without

questioning. This is the kind of music your mind can

dance to—especially if you prefer not to have auto-tune,

excessive noise or typical lyrics about night clubs and

belligerent behavior interfere with your rhythm. – Paul Kitti

“Hurry Up We’re Dreaming” M83

“Strange Mercy” St. Vincent

“Slave Ambient” The War on Drugs

“House of Balloons” The Weeknd

“The Whole Love” Wilco

“Burst Apart” The Antlers

“King of Limbs” Radiohead

“Underneath the Pine” Toro y Moi

“How Do You Do” Mayer Hawthorne

“Watch the Throne” Jay Z and Kanye West


REVIEW //

iSPY’s Top 30 Albums of the Year

“EP2” Christopher Norman

“How do you do” Mayor Hawthorne

“Ashes and Fire” Ryan Adams

“Metals” Feist

In ‘Metals,’ the maracas and percussions of her previous project, ‘Reminder,’ are gone without a trace, leaving behind a soulful album with intense instrumentals for a somewhat darker Feist than we’ve grown to know. – Mary Simkins

Coldplay has arguably been the biggest band in the world over the past few years, but despite that accomplishment, they still push themselves to become the best band in the world. And while that goal may be near impossible at this point, it sure is fun listening to them try. – Paul Kitti

Florence + the Machine’s latest album “Ceremonials” will drown you in epic-ness if you’re not careful. I made the mistake of trying to listen to it while working, and the other-worldliness of it all kept giving me visions of dancing around a fire in the woods (not a productive urge in the middle of a workday). – Mary Simkins

I’ve listened to a lot of really, really good music this year. The self titled Bon Iver album is hands down the best of all of it. I’ve been a fan of Justin Vernon’s melodic and mind-easing voice since, “For Emma, Forever Ago” was released in 2008, but, from start to finish, this is his best and most fulfilling work. – Tim Adkins

Neither a repeat of nor a departure from their debut, “Helplessness Blues” is a glorious extension that finds the band embracing their talents while exploring the depth of their craft. This is a haunting and strangely uplifting work – one that will establish Fleet Foxes as the standard of modern folk music only two albums into their journey. – Paul Kitti

From the very beginning, “Torches” sucks listeners in with the irresistibly catchy “Helena Beat” and doesn’t let up until the very end—without any “filler” songs. From “Call It What You Want” to tracks like “Houdini,” “Torches” is upbeat, with sincere and meaningful lyrics. It’s an album that doesn’t miss a beat and will be hard to top when the group begins to work on their sophomore release. – Amanda Slater

Rumor has it that the single “Go Outside” was the little wild-fire internet tune that attracted the ears of Columbia Records. And, while it was a single that could easily have acted as the sling to shoot the entire album into the spotlight, Cults opted not to build the album around one song. Instead, they’ve created something extremely tight and consistent, a summer soundtrack that sways back and forth between the sunny and deeply shaded sides of the porch. – Paul Kitti

“XXX” Danny Brown

“Bon Iver” Bon Iver

“The Head and the Heart” The Head and the Heart

“Cults” Cults

“Take Care” Drake

Drake’s solid sophomore album shows that he intends to be a permanent fixture. Each track laces together the bigger picture of Drake’s struggle with success and women, but still revels in the fact that he has a set of skills that could outrival most. As much as he can spit out verses, his ability to croon out even the most vulnerable line is a cut above the heavyweights utilizing Autotune. – Aimee Mandle

“Its a Corporate World” Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr.

“Helplessness Blues” Fleet Foxes

“Ceremonials” Florence + The Machine

“El Camino” The Black Keys

“Metals” Feist

“21” Adele

“Mylo Xyloto” Coldplay

“EP 2” Christopher Norman

“Torches” Foster the People

“Salt Year” Chris Bathgate


SNAP SHOT // REVIEW

2011 Year in Review //

Foster the People

Identity // Steve Aoki

MI Fest // Raconteurs


REVIEW // SNAP SHOT

PHOTOS BY BRUNO POSTIGO + KRISTIN SLATER

2011 Year in Review // Shows

Fedde le Grand Lupe Fiasco Avicci Oddfuture

Explosions in the Sky

Chris BathgateMovement // Skrillex Macklemore Electric Forest

// Kaskade

Graveyard TrainVienna TengDeadmau5

Lolla // City and Colour Barnstormer Martin Solveig Sleigh Bells

VIEW THESE PHOTOS AND MORE AT MISPYMAG.COM/SHOT


2011 Year in Review // Fans

...for Detroit Avicci Crazy Moooooovement Rock

More Solveig

#tweetea Ace Dueces Halloween // Necto College Night

Ypsi P.R.I.D.E.iSPY 1 YearHalloween // Theo’s

iSPY 1 Year Front Row Zedd Heads Layin’ Back w/ Luke

PHOTOS BY BRUNO POSTIGO + KRISTIN SLATER

SNAP SHOT // REVIEW

VIEW THESE PHOTOS AND MORE AT MISPYMAG.COM/SHOT VIEW THESE PHOTOS AND MORE AT MISPYMAG.COM/SHOT

Reservations recommended: (888) 456-3463

quite simplyseafood as it should be

rustic Italian cuisine

contemporaryAmerican cuisine

341 South Main347 South Main2000 Commonwealth Blvd.

Mainstreet Ventures restaurants in Ann Arbor

Steak, Seafood, Italian, American...Pick your dining pleasure!

dessert &cigar lounge

an elegant Italian restaurant

a prime American steakhouse

322 South Main 322 South Main 326 South Main

first classstudent livingypsistudenthousing.com

734.485.9999 | 1000 N. Huron River Dr

great location to campus + private bedrooms & bathrooms + fitness center + fully furnished apartments

Documents

iSPY January 2012