Without the pressures of his "real band," you can hear the burdens melt off Gibbard's songwriting, much like Jeff Tweedy has done with his non-Wilco projects.

All Eyes' debut album "Shelf Life" has been in the recording phase for over a year. The quartet has had a mysterious public profile during that time, but the names of the members aren't newcomers to Minnesota. Notably, the band is led by Alicia Wiley, a singer whose previous five albums were done as a solo affair.

Caravan Du Nord hit the road again to Red Wing's Sheldon Theater for a rare performance by Mason Jennings and up-and-comers Fort Wilson Riot. Both acts have put out critically acclaimed material over the past several years to help build impressive catalogues.

Local music notes from the week of December 3-9

Songs that mention "house" or "home" in the title or lyrics is today's theme.

Brian Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown, Otis Redding recorded his biggest hit and The Beatles open an Apple store Today in Music History.

With 2012 nearing its end, a few artists in the Twin Cities are throwing a wrench in the year-end list-making by issuing finely crafted albums in the final weeks of the year. Two of those standout late releases don’t appear to have a lot in common at first glance—Rich Mattson’s Ol’ Yeller has reformed and…

A closer look at the latest Beatles reissues and the ongoing Minnesota Beatle Project

Sunday night on the Current Presents, "Girls Got Rhythm" co-founder Dana Raidt joins Jon Schober for a Garage Rock 'road trip' across the United States. Tune into 89.3 The Current on Sunday night from 9-10 p.m. to hear the freakbeat play out.

Feast your eyes and ears on some of the great songs we've started spinning lately, including a new Christmas anthem, an unexpected collaboration, a welcome return and a long-anticipated solo debut.