Maura Johnston | Rolling Stone

Contributor

80 items by Maura Johnston

“Go Right Ahead” | SONG REVIEW

The Swedish garage-rock pyrotechnicians crib from an unlikely source on this comeback single: ELO's "Don't Bring Me Down," whose main riff becomes this tune's backbone. The Hives dispense with the original's orchestral pomp in favor of horns...
March 27, 2012 4:50 PM ET
"Flutes" | SONG REVIEW

This dreamy extended workout by the British electro-pop act throws in dime-store synths, drum-machine thunderbolts and a sample from the titular instrument. But it doesn't hit its moody-disco mark until Alexis Taylor's haunted vocals kick in, casting...
March 27, 2012 4:45 PM ET
South By Southwest Recruits Blur's Graham Coxon, Das Racist and More | ARTICLE

The South By Southwest Festival, the yearly confab of music, film and digital-media types that takes over downtown Austin, Texas, every March, has announced the third group of artists that will be performing during the festival's...
December 21, 2010 6:05 PM ET
New Orleans Rapper Magnolia Shorty Murdered | ARTICLE

A 28-year-old woman found shot to death in a car that crashed into the gates of a New Orleans apartment complex has been identified as Renetta "Magnolia Shorty" Lowe, a bounce MC who had been affiliated with...
December 21, 2010 3:05 PM ET
Daily Digest: Lauryn Hill Plots Tour Dates; Velvet Revolver 'Dating' New Frontman | ARTICLE

Lauryn Hill Announces More ConcertsHaving announced a handful of East Coast shows earlier this month, the enigmatic soul singer has filled out her touring schedule over the coming weeks. Concerts in...
December 21, 2010 12:10 PM ET
Kings Of Leon Show Canceled After Fire | ARTICLE

Update: Kings of Leon have officially postponed tonight's show. Two tour buses parked in a loading bay of the O2 Arena in London caught fire early Tuesday morning, possibly jeopardizing a Kings of Leon show scheduled for...
December 21, 2010 10:00 AM ET
'Spider-Man' Star Hurt in Major Fall | ARTICLE

Monday night's performance of the troubled musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark ended prematurely after an actor playing the web-slinging superhero fell between 8 and 10 feet into a pit during a complicated aerial stunt that...
December 21, 2010 9:00 AM ET
Video: PJ Harvey Releases Stunning Clip for 'The Last Living Rose' | ARTICLE

PJ Harvey, whose eight studio album Let England Shake comes out next year, has released another song from the record. "The Last Living Rose" is a spare track that recalls Harvey's most personal, stripped-down work. The song's
December 20, 2010 5:30 PM ET
Christina Aguilera and Rihanna Officially Too Hot for 'X Factor' | ARTICLE

Simon Cowell's British talent show The X Factor has crowned Matt Cardle its newest winner, and the singer has already topped the UK's Christmas-week singles chart with his cover of Biffy Clyro's "When We Collide." But...
December 20, 2010 2:47 PM ET
Video: Lil Wayne and Eminem Take Over 'SNL' | ARTICLE

Saturday Night Live recruited Eminem and Lil Wayne for their last show of 2010, with the two MCs dueting on their vindictive, Haddaway-sampling single "No Love." The sample of the hit "What Is Love" (enshrined on...
December 20, 2010 1:20 PM ET
Prince Parties With Naomi Campbell, Whoopi Goldberg Onstage at MSG | ARTICLE

On Saturday night, Prince continued his Welcome 2 America Tour with a show at New York's Madison Square Garden. The career-spanning setlist included a few songs with legendary drummer and frequent Prince collaborator Sheila E., a raft...
December 20, 2010 12:15 PM ET
Paramore's Guitarist and Drummer Call It Quits | ARTICLE

Josh and Zac Farro, the guitarist and drummer for Paramore, have left the band, according to a statement posted on the band's official site on Saturday. "A couple of months ago, Josh and Zac let us know...
December 20, 2010 9:06 AM ET
Captain Beefheart Dead at Age 69 | ARTICLE

Don Van Vliet, who became a rock legend as Captain Beefheart, died today from complications from multiple sclerosis in California. His passing was announced by the New York-based Michael Werner Gallery, which represented his work...
December 17, 2010 4:57 PM ET
Daily Digest: Garth Brooks Returns To The Stage; Lennon's 'Abbey Road' Suit Auctioned | ARTICLE

Garth Brooks Opens Run Of Shows In Nashville Country megastar Garth Brooks took the stage at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena for his first show in the city since 1998. The concert was the...
December 17, 2010 11:50 AM ET
Video: Lady Gaga Bites Head Off Santa Doll at Concert | ARTICLE

Lady Gaga opened her two-night run of shows at London's O2 Arena Thursday evening — and she brandished her own twisted brand of Christmas cheer. While greeting fans in the front row, Gaga found a Santa doll...
December 17, 2010 10:15 AM ET
Video: Paul Simon Performs 'Getting Ready For Christmas Day' On 'Colbert Report' | ARTICLE

Paul Simon stopped by The Colbert Report last night to perform "Getting...
December 17, 2010 9:50 AM ET
'Spider-Man' Musical Delayed Until February | ARTICLE

This story has been updated. Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark — the ambitious musical about the web-slinging superhero with direction by The Lion King director and music by Bono and the Edge — has had its official opening...
December 16, 2010 4:25 PM ET
Dave Grohl to Appear in 'Muppets Movie' | ARTICLE

Dave Grohl is reportedly making a cameo in The Muppets Movie, the Jason Segel-penned flick about the beloved puppetry troupe's adventures. According to the British magazine Kerrang!, the Foo Fighters drummer will pick up the sticks for the...
December 16, 2010 3:40 PM ET
Eddie Vedder, Justin Bieber, Chris Martin Shortlisted for Oscars' Best Songs | ARTICLE

Songs performed by Metric, Randy Newman, Justin Bieber and Eddie Vedder have made the 41-track shortlist for the Best Original Song award at the 83rd Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced...
December 16, 2010 11:50 AM ET
Watch: McCartney, Fallon Duet on 'Yesterday' Parody | ARTICLE

Paul McCartney visited Late Night With...
December 10, 2010 5:35 PM ET