tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83278375108591144112011-12-28T15:03:50.270-07:00JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.comBlogger781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-36510788029309320212011-06-22T14:06:00.001-06:002011-06-22T14:11:59.045-06:00

Lots of labels offer free summer samples with hopes that you’ll go to shows, or better, buy a CD/T-Shirt combo at said shows. Here are a few we’ve picked up recently, all available on Amazon.com: The End Records 2011 Summer Sampler Featured Artists Art Brut Badly Drawn Boy Guano Apes     Don’t Mess With Texas: SXSW 2011 New Music Sampler Featured Artists The

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-74069031713927286492011-06-20T12:22:00.001-06:002011-06-21T12:45:35.508-06:00

Words by Ivyy Goldberg of The Donnybrook Writing Academy can be found right here.

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-54844470628327685972011-06-07T10:00:00.000-06:002011-06-07T13:08:44.695-06:00

With their latest self-titled release, NYC duo Cults deliver one of the year’s catchiest albums and a perfect collection of summertime songs. Borrowing heavily from early 60’s pop music, Cults succeed in producing an honest sound in an area where other bands might come off as being kitschy or patronizing. In what seems to be a trend (and a welcome one), Cults blur the line between homage and

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-7987694134080138182011-05-18T10:00:00.000-06:002011-05-18T10:00:00.305-06:00

Every month brings an agglomeration of new and exciting events and releases. Here’s what we’re particularly giddy about for the upcoming month. Live Music :: Yeasayer @ Ogden Theater (6/1) It took several listens, but Odd Blood has become one of our favorite albums of 2010, and many of the tracks sound like they were meant to be played and heard live. Our ears might still be ringing from

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-37552471718549499712011-05-10T10:00:00.000-06:002011-05-10T17:39:17.455-06:00

In honor of the Beastie Boys’ new release, The Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, we’re listening to their first seven albums (in order) and blogging our thoughts. Join us, won’t you, on a B-Boy Odyssey… Hello Nasty (1998) The summer after I graduated high school was highlighted by two events, moments that I distinctly remember almost 13 years later: June 21, 1998 - Making out with two

J-Mazznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-91378550021235583972011-05-04T10:00:00.000-06:002011-05-04T10:00:10.120-06:00

You want to know what we’re listening to. We know because you won’t stop asking us. Here’s a snapshot of how we’ve kept our eargoggles busy for the last month. Rise To Me / The Decemberists, The King Is Dead (2011) High For This / The Weeknd, House Of Balloons (2011) Madder Red / Yeasayer, Odd Blood (2010) Xxplosive / Dr. Dre, 2001 (1999)

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-89547069475967744762011-05-03T10:00:00.000-06:002011-05-10T17:39:36.118-06:00

In honor of the Beastie Boys’ new release, The Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, we’re listening to their first seven albums (in order) and blogging our thoughts. Join us, won’t you, on a B-Boy Odyssey… Ill Communication (1994) 1. Sure Shot “Arooooo, aroooo…” begins my personal favorite by the Beasties. Much like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, everyone has their favorite Beastie Boy. Mine

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-51378156843294960152011-04-28T10:00:00.001-06:002011-05-21T22:15:52.536-06:00

In honor of the Beastie Boys’ new release, The Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, we’re listening to their first seven albums (in order) and blogging our thoughts. Greetings. My name is J-Mazz and I've been brought aboard the Empty Reviews starship because I have a journalism degree and have always wanted to use my $70,000 education for blogging. Join us, won’t you, on a B-Boy Odyssey… Check Your

J-Mazznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-25422355123351208102011-04-26T10:00:00.000-06:002011-04-27T10:22:01.047-06:00

In honor of the Beastie Boys’ new release, The Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, we’re listening to their first seven albums (in order) and blogging our thoughts. Join us, won’t you, on a B-Boy Odyssey… Paul’s Boutique (1989) 1. To All The Girls This song is such a lure. You’re like, “Oh shit, this is going to be laid back and easy-like. No need to worry about trying to keep up with this album.”

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-28106894395528587582011-04-21T12:47:00.003-06:002011-04-22T11:29:03.814-06:00

In honor of the Beastie Boys’ new release, The Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, we’re listening to their first seven albums (in order) and blogging our thoughts. Join us, won’t you, on a B-Boy Odyssey… Licensed To Ill (1986) 1.Rhymin & Stealin Hey these guys sound just like Led Zeppelin! God damn, I was six years old when this album came out, so I was not at the record store to pick it up, but

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-43060204298983844762011-04-18T09:11:00.000-06:002011-04-18T09:11:08.420-06:00

Every month brings an agglomeration of new and exciting events and releases. Here’s what we’re particularly giddy about for the upcoming month. Music :: Beastie Boys / Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (5/3) Are we the only ones that didn’t see this one coming? On May 3rd the world’s preeminent white rappers drop their eighth album. We don’t even need to hear it, we already love it.

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-25744270593933104312011-04-06T11:46:00.001-06:002011-04-07T18:47:43.545-06:00

Our quest for the latest, greatest music is often a daunting one. 2011 has not been kind to us thus far. But every once in awhile we stumble upon something that we simply must share. Our first great musical find of the year also happens to be a totally free one courtesy of Canadian artist The Weeknd. Reminiscent of early Massive Attack and not a whole lot else, House Of Balloons is a  9-track

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04379104071380581194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-24105873811181276962011-01-06T09:36:00.002-07:002011-04-18T10:04:21.898-06:00

We’re always a little bit late with these types of lists, but it’s all because we spend so much damn time thinking about them. Listed below are our 10 favorite albums of 2010 in no particular order. They are a combination of albums that will stay in our rotation, define the year is some way, or just plain make us smile. Oh, you won’t find any Arcade Fire, Kanye West, or The National here. It’s a

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-7544619231350587382010-12-20T17:30:00.002-07:002011-04-22T09:49:12.143-06:00

Here it is y’all, the list you’ve all been waiting for! Here we present 15 hand-picked songs representing our year in music. 2010 was a down year for the music biz by our estimation, but this list of guilty pleasures, mixtape staples, and downright instant classics should prove that it wasn’t as bad as we’re going to try to make it sound in our end-of-year wrap-up. There’s a playlist of most of

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-19469751707873007842010-10-26T13:51:00.002-06:002011-04-18T09:56:05.069-06:00

The Venue & WhatnotOccasionally Denver can be one of those places were everyone says they’re going to a show, so you go, only to find yourself in an empty room. This was not the case tonight. Music fans were out in force, with about a hundred or people lining up outside the Ogden before the door opened. These people deserve credit for two reasons: 1.) last night was the first legitimately chilly

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-67679083554469541842010-10-13T21:33:00.002-06:002011-04-18T10:48:15.488-06:00

 Deer Tick is finally coming to Denver, ladies and gentlemen, so prepare the bubbly. We were lucky enough get some answers from John McCauley about some items of the utmost concern: boners, Wikipedia, and The California Raisins. If this interview doesn’t convince you to go see these fine fellows play Larimer Lounge on October 27th, you’ll have to find some other way to douse yourself in booze on

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-23703389352019741742010-07-23T17:05:00.001-06:002011-04-18T10:58:36.430-06:00

The anticipation leading up to my first UMS experience of 2010 built up as Thursday went on. Believe it or not, our little rag here doesn’t pay the bills, so I was stuck working the ol’ 9-to-5 for the first part of the day. Luckily I was able to monitor Facebook and Twitter and as the flurry of updates turned into an all-out blizzard I found my chair increasingly more uncomfortable to be in.

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-56381059322954138932010-07-19T19:13:00.001-06:002011-04-18T10:58:36.435-06:00

Have you ever had that dream where you go to a music festival on Broadway in Denver and totally embarrass yourself because you did or didn’t wear, see, eat, say, or do something? Is it keeping you from attending this year’s UMS? Out from your cave of musical hibernation, dear reader! Consider this your UMS Survivor’s Guide, courtesy of your friends at Empty Reviews. #1. Wear Your Most

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-47616151411113984782010-07-15T17:52:00.001-06:002011-04-18T09:53:03.981-06:00

Opening with one of the more unique non-musical openings for a rock record (the sounds of fireworks), Fang Island’s self-titled album is much like a 35 minute grand finale display. To that end, it starts with many oohs-and-ahhs: old-school progressive guitar solos, thundering backing drums, and Queen-style choral harmonies. After a while- maybe a very short while -the brilliance gets old to the

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-24199282262537401522010-03-23T08:00:00.001-06:002011-04-18T09:54:32.942-06:00

Are we getting excited for UMS yet? If you’re not already, you should be. The musical talent pool in Denver is very deep, and it gets even deeper with the release of Andrea Ball’s latest work, Dial Tone. From the beginning the first thing you notice is that this album does not sound like “local music.” Although less blues and more pop, the music is reminiscent of Fiona Apple’s best work in its

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-737819067735619612010-03-02T21:55:00.001-07:002011-04-18T10:47:04.238-06:00

  Recently we had a chat with Brooklyn rockers Cymbals Eat Guitars. We don’t like people to pass through our city without knowing a little bit about them, so we felt it necessary to get to know this up-and-coming band before they invade Hi-Dive on April 1 (get your tickets now, by the way, this will be a tough get come show time). Here’s what frontman Joe D'Agostino had to say: ER: What's the

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-85204253338048712122010-02-25T08:00:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:58:42.557-06:00

What did we say before? Here it is: Out-of-towners were treated to a great performance by one of Denver’s most likeable rock bands, who I suspect are not far from having one of their songs show up in a Nissan ad or a Jennifer Garner movie. You laugh, but The Knew will be laughing all the way to the bank, sucka. In re-reading that, it almost sounds like a knock against one of Denver’s finest

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-52189771321328705472010-02-18T08:00:00.001-07:002011-04-18T10:57:33.955-06:00

Opening Act-------------------- I missed seeing The Antlers the last time they were in town, but I didn’t realize just how much I missed until walking in to the Ogden on Saturday night. It had been a long arduous week and the saké in my belly had made its way to my head. Whatever was going on in my complicated little mind, much of it came to fruition that night, and The Antlers played a part

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-50876884890297012632010-02-10T08:00:00.002-07:002011-04-18T10:04:38.404-06:00

Now that we’ve had sufficient time to let 2009 sink in and, more importantly, wade through the myriad “Best Of” lists, we’ve decided to put together a list of our own. Because, you know, no blog worth its salt lets a decade go by without some sort of superlative list. Anyway, if you want to hear the decade through Empty’s ears, take a listen to the following list of our favorite albums from 2000

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-71728963048128014222010-02-02T14:38:00.000-07:002011-04-18T09:53:51.553-06:00

It has become increasingly more difficult to differentiate between bands latching themselves on to the “surf-rock” movement. Many have members so young in age that it would be out of line to suggest that any one of them had borrowed or even been influenced by another’s style, but it’s only natural to compare. What makes one album or band more enjoyable than another is their take on a certain

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-23828321872699179142010-01-28T17:52:00.002-07:002011-04-18T10:42:05.881-06:00

The Venue & Whatnot-------------------- It’s been a fairly mild January in Denver, so it seemed fitting that White Denim rolled into town to break up the monotony accompanied by a dusting of snow. As it got closer to the start of their set, it was getting progressively more white outside, it was creepy, but very cool. A slow trickle of fans entered the Larimer Lounge throughout the evening and

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-59894813500217345892010-01-26T19:25:00.002-07:002011-04-18T10:44:10.550-06:00

Shazz Cafe And Bar 4262 Lowell Boulevard Denver, CO 80211Certain things in life are so sublime they border on the inexplicable. Sunday brunch in general falls into that category. Indeed, who in their right mind doesn’t find comfort and warmth in a freshly brewed cup of coffee -or squeezed OJ if that’s your poison- a couple of eggs and some breakfast meats? Communists, that’s

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-61031527160839506492010-01-19T10:41:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:57:01.218-06:00

Every time a Spoon record comes out my head spins. I feel like I’m standing in the middle of a New York City intersection with traffic whizzing about, just hoping that a car will hit me and take me along into the frenzy that surrounds these indie rockers. I like indie rock. I really do! But for whatever reason I have yet to find the Spoon record that speaks to me. Are you that record,

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-79964320767271015982010-01-14T16:41:00.002-07:002011-04-18T09:58:29.730-06:00

Favorite Track  Sunlight Harlem ShakesEmpty Reviews is guilty as charged for following the indie/hipster media and falling in L-U-R-V-E with this album. However, unlike our fellow pontificators and list makers, we chose “Sunlight” over the more often chosen “Strictly Game” as our favorite tune from this gem of an album. Perfectly titled, the song is a three minute romp about… well, we’re

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-1867903859287257082010-01-10T13:02:00.001-07:002010-01-10T13:33:48.186-07:00

Hi. Welcome to the 2010’s, y’all. With another year (and decade depending on your point of view) in the books, it’s once again time for the age-old tradition of making resolutions and promises that may or may not be kept. 2009 was a great year for this little upstart blog we’ve got going here. We got our first shout outs, linkage, and quotes in various publications, press releases, and EPKs.

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-34448975038256422862009-11-20T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:52:28.554-06:00

For years Mason Jennings has been “that guy.” The folk singer-songwriter embraced by the indiest of indie crowds; the artist who isn’t so big that it’s annoying (M. Ward), is diverse enough with his sound not to be boring (Iron & Wine), and personable enough on stage to keep you entertained at his live events (Ray Lamontagne). After years of slowly moving forward towards the mainstream,

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-24022770799735182582009-11-18T16:38:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:56:04.584-06:00

My ideal setting for seeing the Pixies would be at a dive bar in Boston or New York in the late 80’s or early 90’s (forget the fact that I would have been 10 years old). At the show on Tuesday night I tried imagining what it would have been like to see the band with a couple of hundred people at a dingy subterranean rock club, standing no more than 50 feet from them. Instead they took the

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-64372645947762201982009-11-11T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:51:34.441-06:00

The music gods are smiling upon Denver in November. With Art Brut just leaving town and Mason Jennings, Electric Six, Cage The Elephant and others on their way in, it was Holiday Shores who had the honors on Monday night. Their set was sandwiched between Candy Claws and Evangelicals, but I was only there to listen to Holiday Shores’ set and get a few PBRs from the friendly bartenders at Hi-Dive

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-31853344392682090412009-11-09T18:04:00.002-07:002011-04-18T09:59:53.981-06:00

The Venue & Whatnot--------------------It was an early fall Friday night in Denver and the hard rockin’ hipsters of this quiet mountain town were totally ready to party. Art Brut was in town, bringing their unique brand of Brit-punk to the Bluebird Theater on East Colfax with West Palm Beach’s Surfer Blood, and Denver’s own Jim McTurnan & The Kids That Killed The Man in tow. It might have been

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-4834310286519964222009-11-05T06:00:00.002-07:002011-04-18T10:49:28.732-06:00

Plucky, effects-laden guitars, a wide array of percussion, and trippy, slightly off-melody lyrics highlight the latest release of Holiday Shores, a promising young group out of Tallahassee. Columbus’d The Whim is a light-hearted, almost playful sounding indie-pop album that brings to mind the the sounds of early Shins with a slight touch of The Beach Boys thrown in for good measure. Anyone ever

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-53066576215616666542009-10-15T16:00:00.001-06:002011-04-18T10:00:21.732-06:00

Like its namesake, the music of European indie-rockers Art Brut is an acquired taste. Their music is straightforward and in your face, with matching spoken lyrics by Eddie Argos that are more obvious observations and statements than deep metaphors that will blow your mind (“DC comics and chocolate milkshakes/Some things will always be great”). That being said, Art Brut Vs. Satan,  the band’s

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-18502698391471140042009-09-24T16:34:00.002-06:002011-04-18T09:58:54.660-06:00

Note: I’m going to do my best not to jizz all over myself when writing this review. Before reading this you should know that I am completely retarded for the Arctic Monkeys.The Venue & Whatnot--------------------First, a rant on The Ogden. The tickets said doors at 8:00pm. The website said 8:00pm. Yet, when I went to the box office to buy tickets for The Bravery, I asked what time the Monkeys

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-21201531461126701762009-09-16T18:00:00.003-06:002011-04-18T10:55:52.520-06:00

So I went to bed fairly pissed off on Saturday, but looking ahead to Sunday I really wanted to end the festival on a high note. DANDY WARHOLS! MONOTONIX! PASSION PIT! Weather be damned, god damn it! I woke up determined to get a good start on the day: some Bloodys, some barbecuing, some sunshine. Sounds good, yes? As is the case on Monolith Sundays, the crowds are a little slow to enter the

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-37300883934948026082009-09-15T17:27:00.001-06:002011-04-18T10:57:26.387-06:00

So Friday night ended with bottle rockets, slingshots, whiskey, and free t-shirts courtesy of our friends at Gigbot. Honestly, the weekend could have ended there and I would have been happy. But oh no, Saturday and Sunday held unknown adventures. Due to hangovers and the desire to not be the first ones up there, we got a bit of a late start on Saturday. It appeared I could indeed shove my

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-13135198765515447072009-09-14T22:52:00.002-06:002011-04-18T10:57:47.613-06:00

You know when you go to a concert and the opening act totally steals the spotlight from the headliner?  Friday night was that for all of Saturday for the 2009 Monolith Festival. It was a little cooler than usual outside, which unfortunately was a preview of what was to come, but the giddy anticipation of the weekend to come provided enough excitement that we were only temporarily bitchy about

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-82484938439927935122009-09-09T11:01:00.002-06:002011-04-18T10:47:55.918-06:00

As with all well laid plans, come festival time one can probably shove them up one’s well laid ass. That being case, we’re not going to guarantee we’ll see any of these bands at Monolith. Inevitably, there will be another band that catches our ears, or a thirty-fifth cheeseburger that catches our taste buds, that will prevent us from seeing a few of the bands we’re really interested in. However,

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-68738764036763594012009-09-08T16:36:00.004-06:002011-04-18T10:56:48.026-06:00

As with all well laid plans, come festival time one can probably shove them up one’s well laid ass. That being case, we’re not going to guarantee we’ll see any of these bands at Monolith. Inevitably, there will be another band that catches our ears, or a thirty-fifth cheeseburger that catches our taste buds, that will prevent us from seeing a few of the bands we’re really interested in. However,

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-38593013078759094712009-08-27T12:59:00.003-06:002011-04-18T09:52:28.378-06:00

We know it’s kind of pointless to be reviewing an airport. Unless you’re an Empty Reviews writer or play third base for the New York Yankees, you probably aren’t wealthy enough to afford to choose which airports you fly to and from. Still, we’ve been told that the best Empty Reviews are the angry ones.I recently found myself at LGA sitting at the only open table, which was the ketchup-slimed one

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-6770779742152364422009-08-26T12:01:00.002-06:002011-04-18T10:55:12.308-06:00

The Red Arrow Diner 61 Lowell Street Manchester, NH  I visited this place at the suggestion of a friend when I was in Manch for a wedding. We had a late breakfast at about 11am on a Sunday. The place seemed packed, but that's probably because it can only seat about 25 people. That's fine, but my only complaint about the place is that they make you wait at the back of the restaurant

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-87443292091986808022009-08-19T17:29:00.001-06:002009-08-19T17:29:18.064-06:00

This is a test of the Empty Reviews mobile broadcast system.

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-71803897694449786182009-08-03T13:04:00.005-06:002011-04-18T10:49:45.957-06:00

Last week we were the featured blog on Denver Six Shooter. Go on over there and check it out...http://www.denversixshooter.com/profiles/blogs/72809a-belated-fathers-day

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-33920513203252100762009-06-29T12:04:00.005-06:002011-04-18T09:55:14.358-06:00

We're going to give y’all a little treat today with a DOUBLE REVIEW! In essence, we're reviewing an entire date consisting of dinner and a rock and roll show. In the spirit of the golden rule, we will review Mezcal in the same fashion in which we was treated by their wait staff: prickly and momentary. Mezcal 3230 E. Colfax Ave Food: Mediocre. Service: “I hate to bother you sir,

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-7091615204691242112009-06-19T17:20:00.002-06:002011-04-18T10:58:17.470-06:00

The Setup-------------------- The Hangover is just your average story about Las Vegas. Four friends, one of whom is to be married in two days, venture to Las Vegas for an evening of drunken debauchery. And the hilarity ensues. The Catch-------------------- When the crew wakes up in the morning, they cannot find their beloved bachelor. Also they remember nothing about the previous

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-51867708606824040122009-04-22T11:44:00.003-06:002011-04-18T10:44:34.681-06:00

Opening Act--------------------Tuesday afternoon I was sitting quietly at work, minding my own bee’s wax, when a co-worker of mine came in and said, “Hey you need to listen to this band called Cage The Elephant. They’re like The Fratellis if they were from Kentucky.” Now, you could say to me, “Hey, you need to listen to this band called Indigo Girls. They’re like The Fratellis if they were

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-89536827832543271772009-04-11T15:08:00.004-06:002011-04-18T10:43:39.341-06:00

I’ve been trying to figure out how he does it, and the only conclusion that makes any sense to me is that Bruce Springsteen is not human. For two and a half hours on Friday night he put on a rock and roll clinic at the Pepsi Center in Denver with just a few pauses to grab a drink of water and give poor Max Weinberg a chance to rest his weary arms. Seriously, the man is a machine. Forget about

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-74214021285726573142009-03-30T11:33:00.003-06:002011-04-18T10:58:00.759-06:00

Opening Act-------------------- The band billed as “Lurleens” began rocking soon after we arrived at Hi-Dive. It’s quite an oddity for a band to have two people with the same name. I can’t think of any off hand. For me to believe that an entire five-piece band could be named “Lurleen” would require some sort of religious leap of faith. Good thing for me I’m not as easily fooled as the suckers I

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-64279530940602445162009-03-06T13:37:00.002-07:002011-04-18T10:59:03.733-06:00

If you’ve never done it, I highly recommend treating yourself to a opening-midnight showing of a movie based on a comic book. As soon as we entered the theatre, my friends and I felt like we were crashing a Gygax family reunion. Whereas franchises such as Iron Man, Batman, and Spider-Man are accessible to all, Watchmen brought out the hardcore comic book crowd (CBC, as we called them, or

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-11101658904750920552009-03-03T13:42:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:53:28.183-06:00

NoRTH 190 Clayton Lane http://www.foxrestaurantconcepts.com/north.html As part of Denver’s annual Restaurant Week I dined at NoRTH, a “modern Italian” restaurant in the Cherry Creek area. As is customary for this crazy week (this year two weeks), the place was hopping at dinner time. While we waited for our table, my lovely companion and I enjoyed some cocktails from the crowded bar area

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-67555464325796211122009-02-26T10:46:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:56:18.479-06:00

"Terrible.""Appalling.""One of the worst movies I have ever seen."These are words I used to describe the movie Step Up 2: The Streets as I was waiting in the theater to see Slumdog Millionaire. Unlike SU2:TS (pronounced sue-toots), Slumdog is a revelation; a throwback to movies from years passed that not only entertained us, but were of the highest artistic quality. It touches on general themes

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-84021830852045173152009-02-25T10:40:00.001-07:002011-04-18T10:46:10.301-06:00

When we're not going to concerts, eating and drinking at Denver's finest establishments, or writing well thought out reviews for you fine people, we at Empty Reviews enjoy our video games... and dorky ones at that. The king of all video game dorks goes by the name of Sid Meier. He is the brains behind one of gaming's most loved and famous strategy series, Civilization. With Civilization

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-76938270403338853062009-02-20T08:00:00.002-07:002011-04-18T10:45:28.414-06:00

This little Mike Nichols flick had some minor buzz behind it before it came out, as well it should have featuring box office and critical faves Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. At its core, the story itself is pretty bland Hollywood fare. The rich and powerful politician (Wilson, played by Hanks)wants to make more money and gain more power by exploiting some more inferior

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-53175109476438706502009-02-19T12:13:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:51:16.607-06:00

What just 'cause a guy sees He's Just Not That Into You and Twilight you think he's whipped?! You are! At least I HAVE a girlfriend!Lock it up.Seriously though, I promise to review movies that are much cooler in the coming months.Fellas,This movie sucks. It's 129 minutes long, in my opinion 104 too many. You're going to hate most of the characters, both male and female. There's the crazy girl who

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-72962373280722453762009-02-18T11:40:00.004-07:002011-04-18T09:56:35.508-06:00

I was treated to Anise for a post-birthday brunch a few weeks ago and was curious as to what the Greeks have for breakfast. To my slight chagrin, there wasn't much on the menu in the manner of Greek cuisine. The closest thing was an omelet with feta cheese. Hangovers hate stinky cheese, so I got the steak and eggs for myself and the table split a Belgian waffle. Even though we were literally the

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-19923247800658348742009-01-29T11:41:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:58:57.743-06:00

On the evening of my birthday my better half took me our for a delicious steak dinner at at the Washington Park Grille. Neither of us had been there, so we didn't fully know what to expect. I believe she even said, "this might totally suck" at one point. It didn't. I felt very comfortable upon entering the establishment. The acid-jam stylings of Trey Anastasio were pulsing through the bar and

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-19009011287502035542009-01-21T17:41:00.008-07:002011-04-18T10:55:05.477-06:00

The Donnybrook Writing Academy and Col. Hector Bravado's Denver Six Shooter, two of the most powerful blogs in the Denver area, recently joined forces to tackle a pub crawl in the South Broadway area. I tagged along because I have the hots for a Donnybrook writer. The following is my assessment. Read Part VI.After 2:00amPersian Gourmet102 South BroadwayAll I really wanted was more pizza. I didn't

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-10571875039386843032009-01-21T16:48:00.005-07:002011-04-18T10:56:12.116-06:00

The Donnybrook Writing Academy and Col. Hector Bravado's Denver Six Shooter, two of the most powerful blogs in the Denver area, recently joined forces to tackle a pub crawl in the South Broadway area. I tagged along because I have the hots for a Donnybrook writer. The following is my assessment. Read Part V.+/- 1:00amSkylark Lounge 140 South Broadway And then there was one.Skylark is a great

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-80711059637295032662009-01-21T12:51:00.006-07:002011-04-18T10:56:25.122-06:00

The Donnybrook Writing Academy and Col. Hector Bravado's Denver Six Shooter, two of the most powerful blogs in the Denver area, recently joined forces to tackle a pub crawl in the South Broadway area. I tagged along because I have the hots for a Donnybrook writer. The following is my assessment. Read Part IV.11:39pmSobo 151151 South Broadway (CLEVER!) "Hey, there's a shopping cart! I order you to

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-5531899666188693882009-01-21T12:10:00.009-07:002011-04-18T10:42:31.646-06:00

The Donnybrook Writing Academy and Col. Hector Bravado's Denver Six Shooter, two of the most powerful blogs in the Denver area, recently joined forces to tackle a pub crawl in the South Broadway area. I tagged along because I have the hots for a Donnybrook writer. The following is my assessment. Read Intermission. 11:06pm Brown Barrel Tavern 76 South Broadway Our bellies full of cheesy, meaty,

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-39168909523342307182009-01-21T11:31:00.006-07:002011-04-18T10:50:24.681-06:00

The Donnybrook Writing Academy and Col. Hector Bravado's Denver Six Shooter, two of the most powerful blogs in the Denver area, recently joined forces to tackle a pub crawl in the South Broadway area. I tagged along because I have the hots for a Donnybrook writer. The following is my assessment. Read Part III.10:29pmFamous Pizza98 South Broadway With 10:00pm passing us by and only a Racine's

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-58627275098882875692009-01-20T18:22:00.011-07:002011-04-18T10:52:02.188-06:00

The Donnybrook Writing Academy and Col. Hector Bravado's Denver Six Shooter, two of the most powerful blogs in the Denver area, recently joined forces to tackle a pub crawl in the South Broadway area. I tagged along because I have the hots for a Donnybrook writer. The following is my assessment. Read Part II.10:19pmThe Irish Rover54 South Broadway So I have a routine every time I go to The Rover:

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-34911417187032052082009-01-20T14:13:00.019-07:002011-04-18T10:57:07.723-06:00

The Donnybrook Writing Academy and Col. Hector Bravado's Denver Six Shooter, two of the most powerful blogs in the Denver area, recently joined forces to tackle a pub crawl in the South Broadway area. I tagged along because I have the hots for a Donnybrook writer. The following is my assessment. Read Part I.9:48pmSputnik7 South Broadway Sputnik is 1.3 miles from Charlie Brown's, which is 1.2

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-7771948100821060762009-01-20T12:02:00.015-07:002011-04-18T10:45:08.998-06:00

The Donnybrook Writing Academy and Col. Hector Bravado's Denver Six Shooter, two of the most powerful blogs in the Denver area, recently joined forces to tackle a pub crawl in the South Broadway area. I tagged along because I have the hots for a Donnybrook writer. The following is my assessment. 8:30pm Charlie Brown's Bar & Grill 980 Grant Street The night began at Charlie Brown's on Capitol

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-19703643317820688512009-01-06T12:53:00.015-07:002011-04-18T10:46:49.849-06:00

From dictionary.com: bleak    /blik/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [bleek] –adjective, -er, -est. 1. bare, desolate, and often windswept. 2. cold and piercing; raw. 3. without hope or encouragement; depressing; dreary. Bleak is the first word that comes to mind when reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Others might include depressing, hopeless, or somber. The constant barrage of post-apocalyptic

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-13877674660451572122008-12-31T10:11:00.006-07:002011-04-18T10:03:07.963-06:00

Favorite Famous Person :: Barack Obama Okay, so he was everyone's favorite famous person. Personally, I'm not sold on any politician, The Big O included, so I reserve the right to revoke this statement in the future. However, there's no denying the feeling that good things are right around the corner for this country and the world in turn with Barack as the new leader of the free world.

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-43376858598103977432008-12-31T08:54:00.003-07:002009-01-20T14:10:30.890-07:00

Fifteen of my favorite tracks of 2008. Enjoy and Happy New Year!Time To Pretend :: MGMTDone :: The GiraffesHuman :: The KillersSleepyhead :: Passion PitSway :: The KooksMy Friend John :: The FratellisGobbledigook :: Sigur RósSomething Is Not Right With Me :: Cold War KidsDrama Queen :: SwitchesI Love You And Buddha Too :: Mason JenningsPro Nails Forever :: The Hood InternetThrough The Branches ::

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-42167918045270870692008-12-18T13:26:00.016-07:002011-04-18T10:40:58.118-06:00

Opening Act-------------------- Judging by their assumed namesake, inoperable website, and plethora of busted old television sets on stage, local boys Pacific Pride have a problem with technology. Hell, they even borrowed equipment from the night's headliners. After they plugged in they showed they were a perfect fit for a show at the Hi-Dive delivering a short but powerful set of ear-ringing

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-35913566357283545022008-12-18T10:41:00.006-07:002011-04-18T10:59:09.801-06:00

I'm not going to try to sugar coat the review or draw it out any further than it has to be. This stuff is exactly what it says it is. Wild Turkey. Honey.Fun fact, you can make it at home while you're making your holiday cakes and cookies with the kids. Here are the directions:Ingredients1 bottle Wild Turkey 1 bottle honeySteps1. Pour honey into bottle of Wild Turkey.2. Shake vigorously.3. Enjoy

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-71845025883544244532008-12-08T13:45:00.013-07:002011-04-18T10:04:03.908-06:00

Opening Act-------------------- The stage at the Gothic had a very DeVotchKa feel to it on Saturday night. I walked in to catch the tail end of the set by Nagel who were crooning into mics wrapped loosely with Christmas lights. Local favorites Bela Karoli took the stage next and played a beautiful set complete with a wandering crazy chalk artist, plenty of red tulle, and a performance by the

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-33458807600477132862008-12-02T09:47:00.012-07:002011-04-18T10:58:49.602-06:00

Yesterday I attended a matinee showing of the new film Twilight. Maybe you've heard of it. Apparently this lady Stephenie Meyer has been writing these amazing books chronicling the life and times of teen vampires in the Pacific Northwest. It's like the American version of the Harry Potter series. Being a fan of the Harry Potter movies, I went into Twilight with a certain level of expectation.

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-68620181856706252382008-11-25T09:17:00.011-07:002011-04-18T10:03:35.775-06:00

Beer: Stroh’s Slogan: “America’s Premium Brewed Beer” Location: Milwaukee, WI (The Stroh’s Brewing Company) Packaging: Possibly the only beer at the liquor store that comes wrapped in packing tape. It also comes in packs of 15 instead of 12 (Editor’s Note: Apparently it also comes in 12s, but that’s not worth mentioning because it’s fucking boring). The cans are cool looking.

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-73615438097555908852008-11-24T14:51:00.003-07:002011-04-18T10:41:41.077-06:00

Opening Act-------------------- I walked into a curiously crowded Boulder Theater with just enough time to catch the last few songs of Zach Gill's set. I had never heard of Gill before, which is odd because his style of music matches what I normally have shoved down my throat by Rhapsody and Pandora. Sometimes you can make snap judgements about people just by looking at them. Just like I knew

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-22865825345587990302006-10-23T15:28:00.000-06:002009-06-20T15:29:17.951-06:00

6. Capone's (JB drank Bud Light) This place was just off of Broadway, but still on the designated route. At this point, things start getting a little fuzzy. I remember thinking "WOW!" when the bartender told us what their happy hour was. Unfortunately for you, I can't remember it. The joint smelled of garlic bread, which prompted everyone to realize just how hungry they were. The bartender was a

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8327837510859114411.post-35951653161753139272006-10-23T15:20:00.000-06:002009-06-20T15:27:40.465-06:00

Several months ago, a friend of mine spoke very highly of an evening of drinking at multiple bars on Broadway in Denver. Such an activity is called a Bar Crawl, or more specifically, The Broadway Bar Crawl. I expressed my interest in partaking in such an activity and suggested that we do it again, picking the arbitrary date of October 21st to attempt my first crawl. The following is what I

JBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03142700758289683144noreply@blogger.com0