Reviews of albums released on: Independent

420 total reviews — Page 22 of 24

The Wealthy West

Volume One
Independent (2011)

The folk scene doesn’t get enough appreciation these days. Luckily, Mumford and Sons earned it some recognition when they performed at The Grammys. Now is the perfect time for Brandon Kinder, also know as The Wealthy West, to break out with his new EP simply entitled, Volume One.The EP opens with, “Love is Not Enough,” which is like the antithesis … Read more

The Whiskey Bats

Flesh Eaters
Independent (2022)

Right, so who's up for some in your face, straight up no nonsense psychobilly meets angry punk rock?? Well, look no further than Pennsylvanian four piece The Whiskey Bats!! These guys meld high energy 90s style skate punk with a psychobilly twist and are heavily influenced by all things spooky, macabre and monstrous. What is not to like? Not only … Read more

Thee High Priestess

MMXII Demo
Independent (2012)

The internet contains some weird ways to discover music, and this aspect is a double edged sword because now everyone and their brothers and or sisters try to make music in their bedroom or basement or garage and put it up on their interwebz for everyone else to sift through; finding new music can be a giant pain in the … Read more

Theo Young

Tales From The Inland Sea
Independent (2022)

I don’t get to say this every day, but one of my favorite indie artists dropped new material after basically seven years of radio silence. My entire body lit up with excitement when I saw in my inbox that Theo Young is releasing a new album. Shadowplay, his debut EP, was something I had on heavy rotation a few years … Read more

Theta Naught & Alex Caldiero

Sound Weave
Independent (2006)

Sound Weave is a collaboration between Theta Naught and poet Alex Caldiero. Combining cello and bass ambiance with occasional drum theatrics, bewildering soundscapes, and the ardour and insanity of improvisational poetry, it aims to combine a musical experiment "in a symbiotic form with creative language-based explorations." In other words, it sets the words of Alex Caldiero to the music of … Read more

This Door to Remain Closed During Work Hours

Achieve Albeit an Absence
Independent (2006)

This Door to Remain Closed During Work Hours sounds like a jam band who shows their metal influences every once in a while. The repetition of a jam band is there, but there's no soloing. In that case, I'll just call it boring music. Achieve Albeit an Absence could also be an attempt at post-rock; it turned out too mellow … Read more

This Time Next Year

Demonstration
Independent (2006)

I know I've said this before, but God bless the Bay Area! Five-piece outfit This Time Next Year is the latest band to emerge from the thriving music scene of the Golden Gate. The young pop-punk outfit hits the scene with Demonstration, five tracks of fabulous pop-punk and melodic hardcore fused as one. "The Wise are Always Better" begins the … Read more

Tim Hecker

Virgins
Independent (2013)

Canadian sound artist Tim Hecker is no stranger to the more esoteric side of electronic composition. Continued experimentation with increasingly nuanced ambient soundscapes under said moniker for six full-length releases, as well as countless side appearances, has inevitably led to the creation of something undeniably unique. With the release of Virgins- now Hecker's seventh effort - the bohemian Montreal resident … Read more

Time for Living

Demo 2k5
Independent (2005)

Doesn't the Bay Area have enough good hardcore bands? It's like they grow them on trees, or breed them in those large crates on the shipping docks. The truth may never be known, and I'm sure as hell not complaining; it's amazing to see these new bands playing music that strays away from the repetitive shit Trustkill profits off of … Read more

Tiny Empires

Weird Headspace
Independent (2014)

Tiny Empires seek to build something new; something powerful, significant, and memorable, just as the name suggests. With their debut record Weird Headspace they’re doing just that. It’s big, grasping, and expansive work.It’s also out of the ordinary for the scene in which it originates.Lead by Eric Solomon (O Pioneers!!!) and Bryon Lippincott (New Bruises), it plays off the two … Read more

Transitions

Positive Hardcore
Independent (2008)

This CD is a three song demo of 90's hardcore on the posi tip (obviously). It sounds like a cross between Mouthpiece and Undertow. So you probably already tell I like this. It's a complete throwback to when I got into hardcore and not breaking any new ground but for three tracks you really can't complain. It's heavy with simple … Read more

Traveler

Going Home
Independent (2011)

All right, Traveler don't waste time, so neither will I. The Cleveland punk/melodic hardcore group write short, enjoyable pieces that are stripped down to their absolute bare essentials. The four tracks of their debut EP Going Home take only around seven minutes of your time to listen to. The songs are chock full of happy melodies, major chords, and general … Read more

Try Me Bicycle

Voicings
Independent (2008)

Try Me Bicycle's Voicings is a dreamy and delicate offering, even when it tends towards the brooding and melancholy. Such a balance is difficult to strike - in less capable hands, the elements can threaten to weigh themselves down - but the Phoenix-based quartet unquestionably achieves it. Andrew Naylor (vocals/guitar) Jay Novak (bass), Jacob Koller (piano) and Laraine Kaizer (violin) … Read more

TV Crimes

Demo
Independent (2009)

I take pride in my local hardcore scene. I try to make it out to as many shows as I can, support friends in bands in any way possible, and occasionally book a show or two. So I'm continuing to do my part by telling you about TV Crimes, my favorite local band right now. TV Crimes fuse together early … Read more

TV Moms

Buzz Mallory
Independent (2021)

The best band names are unique but not hard to remember. Funny, apropos or fierce, depending on the group’s take. Something somebody somewhere can proudly wear on a shirt, a patch or a pin. Something a new fan can easily tell a friend and then search on the internet. TV Moms did not ace these tests in my opinion. They’re … Read more

Twin Towers

Replacing God
Independent (2018)

Replacing God by ultra-prolific Kansas-based experimental musician Twin Towers at times seems to be an experimental metal album, but there's much more to the work and I think it has a nice sense of progression as it moves forward. By the end, you feel like you've experienced something. The opening track is rather ominous. Starting off with a somewhat ambiguous … Read more

Twitch The Ripper

Bodiless
Independent (2011)

Connecticut’s Twitch the Ripper is comprised of duo Jon Dobyns and Lonn Bologna. Bodiless is their debut album, which is deeply invested in the Dark Wave genre; emphasising the synth-heavy pop and Industrial elements.The album’s opening track quickly sets the tone for the next 45 minutes that this record lasts; within the first 4 bars strong echoes of Pretty Hate … Read more

Tyburn Saints

You And I In Heaven
Independent (2012)

It’s truly a pleasure to be listening to new music from Tyburn Saints. Their last full length, 2010’s For the Benefit of Strangers, was a nice throwback to jangly lo-fi artists like The Jesus and Mary Chain and Galaxy 500. With this EP, the band has fully embraced the sonic landscapes of shoegaze and dream-pop, thus giving a more rewarding … Read more