Metro - New York Music

US – Sunday, March 21

The week's releases

Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.

SXSW: Day three

I couldn't wait to share this photo. They are a band from Chicago called Banana and the Woman, which my friend so keenly observed might have just as easily been called Sleeping Bag and the Rainbow Wig if the costume section at their Five and Dime had different options.

Taking on a blockbuster

If the name Stieg Larsson isn’t familiar, the cover of his globally best-selling book may provide instant recognition, considering the novel is reaching Harry Potter-level ubiquity. The film adaptation follows suit, blowing box office records all over Europe for its roundly praised, faithful rendition of the story of two detectives (of sorts) who uncover family scandals in search of a woman who has been missing for 40 years. We sat down with director Niels Arden Oplev to chat about his version of the tale.

Photo: JOERG KOCH/AFP/GETTY IMAGESQuite the bright, Buble personality

For three very successful records, Michael Buble has reinterpreted standards. But when it came to last fall’s hit album, “Crazy Love,” the pop/jazz singer decided it was time to start telling his own stories and included two originals, including the Sinatra-esque “Haven’t Met You Yet.”

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

New York Music

Ain’t wastin’ time no more

For nearly 20 years, the Allman Brothers Band have made the Beacon Theatre their home away from Georgia for the month of March. But this year they’ve moved their residency over to the United Palace Theatre. Why?

New York Music

Elly Jackson: ‘We all like catchy hooks’

Anything you’ll read in the next few months about the impending stateside success of U.K. electro duo La Roux will no doubt make reference to their ’80s synth pop style and declare, “The ’80s are back!” The only problem is that the ’80s never went away, particularly in the indie dance scene.

New York Music

Ladysmith in waiting

Albert Mazibuko has been a member of pioneering Afro-beat group Ladysmith Black Mambazo since 1969. The singer recalls what it was like when the group first found worldwide acclaim working on Paul Simon’s 1986 album, “Graceland.”

New York Music

Lissie’s songs are so much more than ‘silly little ditties’

She’s got the soulful, weathered voice of an old pro, but Illinois-born Lissie Maurus is just about to test her mettle on the longest tour of her career — and the first of her very own.

New York Music

Who said classical music is boring?

They’re XX-hausted but XX-cited to tour

For big Zombie fans, a ghastly double feature

Old man down the road returns to the rock scene

Tell all your friends what you want to do for your birthday

Something like a phenomenon

The Mayer of smooth city

Shiny happy people

‘Sun’ comes out

The return of Extreme

New York Music

Making a big splash

Identity of Afro-punk

A soldier, a rider, a ghetto survivor

An aggressive ‘Bachelor’

Breaking all the Windows

3 INFLUENCES School of Seven Bells

The Club Phenomena

What Technicolor sounds like

Shins find ‘Sea Legs’

The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.