Last night's show was underwhelming. Not in terms of performance, but in terms of turnout. Given, the show was up against NME's David Bazan extravaganza (ouch). I feel compelled to expose the flaws in order to prove that Acute deserves much, much more. As I arrive fashionably late, I walk into the Troubadour and my jaw drops. There's no more than 50 people inside as Acute began their set with the upbeat 'Rip Your Heart Out!'. Nevertheless, the band dove head first into a set full of foot-tapping songs. Frontman Isaac Lekach successfully carried the band to safety from the Hot Water Music fans with the usual playful and endearing antics. He joked about getting stopped at the border for marijuana possession, despite not having any, and played the beginning of the set with a fake mustache, subsequently attaching it to his guitar for the remainder. Other highlights included: the irrefutably infectious 'Take A Step Back', the prom-perfect 'You Could End Up In Love', the sing-song 'Trouble' and an unbelievable cover of Electric Light Orchestra's classic 'Mr. Blue Sky'. I just couldn't get over the fact that such a tightly knit performance could pass so carelessly under everyone's radar. The crowd's distance from the front of the stage conveyed an overall hesitancy to approach, even to truly connect. Who would've thought? Hot Water Music front-man, Chuck Ragan, and Jesse Malin, who's most notably recognized through his associations with Ryan Adams, formed an abrupt conclusion to Acute's resoundingly poppy set. more ›

Our pals over at Austinist have been doing a bang-up job of Internet sleuthing, Googling, and MySpacing to confirm over 500 bands that will play SXSW even though the Austin music festival refuses to cooperate. After taking last week off because we were sure SXSW would release their master plan, we now return as there seems to be no end in sight to the band list embargo. Many indie labels and some marquee acts... more ›

• At the Henry Fonda Theater, see hard-living country genius Steve Earle & the Dukes with Allison Moorer at 8:30 PM. more ›

As those of you who read this blog weekly know, Tuesday is new release day. Keep reading below for new releases in music, film and TV. more ›