Conor Oberst brought his Mystic Valley Band back to First Avenue Wednesday night, less than a year after the band’s last raucous performance there, and played another high spirited, festive show that proved this Mystic Valley Band is certainly a bona fide group and not merely a diversion or side-project for Oberst.

89.3 The Current and the Walker Art Center’s annual Rock the Garden music festival took place this past Saturday in front of a sold out crowd and a scorching sun (at least initially). And while at times the level of the music didn’t quite match up to the splendor of the day, no one could really come away disappointed from one of the best organized and curated outdoor concerts we’re likely to see all summer.

I recently had the distinct pleasure of talking to Frank Black regarding Minotaur, the forthcoming Pixies box set. He proved to be engaging, uninhibited and witty as we discussed a wide variety of topics including the music of the Pixies, their future plans together and the talents of those responsible for designing this gorgeous box set. Having the opportunity to talk with Black was legitimately quite a thrill for me, and it’s something I won’t soon forget.

With all of the press and accolades that Grizzly Bear have been receiving lately, this show could’ve easily sold out a much larger room. But the 600+ people that were lucky enough to be in attendance seemed quite thankful to see a band that has crafted one of the year’s best albums (Veckatimest) in such an intimate venue.

Annie Clark brought an excellent batch of new tunes (from her brilliant record Actor) and a talented four-piece backing band with her to First Avenue on Thursday night for a show that, while perhaps lacking in energy and spirit, showcased her superior songs and arrangements, and subsequently enthralled most of the half-full house.

While May’s high profile major label releases might’ve dominated sales charts, it was the month’s independent releases that were the most compelling. Add to that a series of fantastic concerts, the Twin Cities’ largest hip hop festival and a few solid music videos and May measures just as strong as any other this year. Above all however, these are Culture Bully’s favorite things from the month of May.

Heads indeed rolled Saturday night at First Avenue, as Yeah Yeah Yeahs wowed the sold-out club with both their sound and their style, steam-rolling their way through an hour and 15 minute set that drew equally from their excellent new record It’s Blitz! and their older favorites.

Manchester’s Doves, making their first Minneapolis performance in nearly six years at the sold out Varsity Theater, reminded us all why we fell in love with the band in the first place, and why we continue to listen, by playing a career spanning, 100 minute set that exhilarated the packed club.

It can be difficult to gain a balanced perspective on an album after reading a single summary of the music. Bias can tilt a review, as can personal taste, history and just about everything else that is unique to the person writing it. So in an effort to offer an expanded perspective in such a medium, here are four reactions, four impressions, Four Takes on Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix.

It can be difficult to gain a balanced perspective on an album after reading a single summary of the music. Bias can tilt a review, as can personal taste, history and just about everything else that is unique to the person writing it. So in an effort to offer an expanded perspective in such a medium, here are four reactions, four impressions, Four Takes on Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear.

Some nuances of Animal Collective’s “headphone music” are bound to get lost amid the pounding bass of a packed nightclub, and some songs that sound absolutely transcendent on record don’t translate as well to a live show. Last night at First Avenue, those complications were audible during an uneven set where it seemed that every euphoric high was often met with equally mundane lows.

Los Angeles’ (by way of Seattle) Big Business are back at the friendly confines of the Triple Rock Social Club on May 18th, touring behind their excellent new record Mind The Drift.