Anyone familiar with The Big Lebowski will probably connect this record to The Dude. In 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked "Cosmo's Factory" 265 on its list of 500 Greatest Albums.

Experimental rock trio Liars' career has been defined by nomadic wanderings, both geographically and sonically. Formed in L.A., the group relocated to Brooklyn, shed a few members and wound up in rural New Jersey, and eventually made their way to Berlin, before returning to L.A.

It was business as usual for Minneapolis bassist and barista Matt Call as he left Urban Bean Coffee on Lyndale Ave. and 24th St. on June 27 to run errands with his girlfriend, Missy Morken, after work. But then, the unthinkable happened. As she stood at the passenger’s side of Call’s car and waited for…

Elektra Records compilation of demos from The Lovin' Spoonful, Eric Clapton and others. We played "Crossroads" covered by Eric Clapton and The Powerhouse. Eric Clapton would record that song with Cream a few years later.

Despite the similarities to "Manners," Passion Pit's new album has transcended any hint that this band has run their course.

Three is the magic number for Flavor Crystals. "Three" is the name of their new record, it took three years to record and it's their first release in that many years. It's a welcome surprise: the psych-rock band put out two of the Twin Cities' most acclaimed releases during the mid-2000s, a pair of records which spawned a tour with Brian Jonestown Massacre.

The married folk duo Shovels & Rope brought their act to The Current studios to play a few songs and talk with Bill Deville about finding their kick drum in the garbage, Confederate moonshine's influence on naming their new record and Townes, the tour bus guarding hound dog.

The Australian band's major label debut on Columbia, the album (whose title is usually shortened by fans to "10, 9, 8") was a ferocious explosion of political anger, driving guitars and drums, and anthemic melodies; Midnight Oil would water things down considerably on later albums to reach a broader MTV audience. We played "Read About It."

Mankwe Ndosi is no stranger to fans of Twin Cities hip-hop. A onetime back-up vocalist for Atmosphere who has been working closely with Medium Zach of Big Quarters, it seems that Ndosi has been quietly moving closer and closer to center stage in recent years. And given the strength of her full-length debut, Science and…

Local music notes from the week of July 16-20