Barry Adkins

Edgar Meyer and Mike Marshall at The Barns at Wolf Trap – March 6

Stepping within this quiet sanctum, I could almost hear a pin drop. We weren't alone, my girlfriend and I, as we walked into The Barns at Wolf Trap in…

Barry Adkins March 11, 2014

Album Reviews Better B# Reviews

CD Review: “Inward:Outward” by Mire

Slaving and working to serve the Hive... It's been some time since I listened to a truly progressive record. The last may have been Dream Theater's Train Of Thought,…

Barry Adkins March 9, 2014

Better B# Interviews

Interview with Hannah Holbrook of SHEL

Image above used with permission. © Taylor Ballantyne. Last year, after becoming infatuated with learning the mandolin, I stumbled upon a young woman's Youtube video in which she…

Barry Adkins February 25, 2014

Album Reviews Better B# Reviews

CD Review: ‘The Shiver’ EP by Metameric

I'm going to do this one backwards. Stop what you're doing right now and go purchase The Shiver, the new EP by Seattle's very own Metameric. Never have I…

Barry Adkins December 24, 2013

Album Reviews Better B# Reviews

CD Review: ‘Infection Legacy’ by Death Toll Rising

As I listened to the title track from Death Toll Rising's newest album, Infection Legacy, something clicked. As the guitar wailed into the solo, there was a remarkable melodic…

Barry Adkins December 15, 2013

Better B# Concert Coverage

Live Review: Carbon Leaf at Rams Head On Stage

“Be careful this weekend. There's a winter storm coming in.” This was the foreboding text I received Saturday morning, conveniently placed before the Carbon Leaf concert my girlfriend and…

Barry Adkins December 12, 2013

Album Reviews Better B# Reviews

CD Review: ‘Onyx’ by Pop Evil

I've been enjoying Pop Evil's most recent album, Onyx, so much that I nearly forgot that I needed to write a review. This May release, as the name implies, is…

Barry Adkins December 1, 2013

Album Reviews Better B# Reviews

CD Review: ‘Return To The Point Of Departure’ by Mahogany Head Grenade

Mahogany Head Grenade is an odd name. I haven't a clue what it means, but that doesn't make the music this Dallas-based trio has written any less worthwhile. Having…

Barry Adkins November 24, 2013

Better B#

CD review: “Constellation Prize” by Carbon Leaf

Earlier this year, Richmond, Va.-based band, Carbon Leaf, released its first full-blown Celtic-Rock album, entitled Ghost Dragon Attacks Castle, that enraptured me with its energy, humor and diversity of sound.…

Barry Adkins November 16, 2013

Better B#

Live Review: Chris Thile’s Strathmore Bachtoberfest

In the world of Chris Thile, I'm a relative newcomer. I had no idea who he was until around four months ago, the point in time that I took up…

Barry Adkins November 3, 2013