Having more than a passing appreciation for spaghetti western films, particularly the Man With No Name trilogy A Fistful Of Dollars, For A Few Dollars More, and the truly epic The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly), I am compelled to check out any band or group that carries any of that iconography or is themed similarly, if only to satisfy some morbid curiosity; with Angel Eyes though, I was taken back by their brand of post rock goodness on previous records where not only was I not disappointed by their music, I felt it quite good. With <i>Midwestern</i>, Angel Eyes moves a bit further into the territories that the band explored on previous efforts without succumbing to any of the traps that similar sounding outfits might fall into with their music; instead, Angel Eyes plows straight through the record with a verve and excitement that sometimes is lacking in their musical compatriots. A wonderfully crafted LP in four parts that sounds like just that, a long piece that is split into four movements, Midwestern paints a vivid sonic picture that feels like it takes the listener on a journey through a mostly deserted town with only angry people left … Read more
Liam Singer plays the role of musical journeyman having been back and forth across the states playing with a multitude … Read more
Trouble in Mind is getting to the point with their cover art. The point is: let the music stand for … Read more
At Our Heels is a young band coming out with a strong EP last year but never getting as much … Read more
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What makes a gruff vocal melodic punk band stand out? That's the question I'm asking myself as I listen to Errth's debut on repeat. I've been playing this record for probably a month straight and I dig it. It checks the heart-on-sleeve style I enjoy but I'm struggling to figure out why, exactly. I think on this, it's the tones -- both lyrically and mood. It's a mix of reflection, frustration and sometimes hope. It releases anger but doesn't wallow in it. That's already probably too deep though, considering I haven't talked about the band, formed by members/former members of Aspiga, Public Serpents, Reunions, and Seeing Snakes. There are two primary vocalists on this record, they essentially alternate songs and songwriting styles among the 10 tracks. One singer is harsh … Read more
Motion City Soundtrack fans rejoice this EP simply titled #2 from Farewell Continental, is a side project of lead singer Justin Pierre’s. This is actually their second EP and contains six tracks of tunes available in two media choices, vinyl or digital download. This is one of the bands still pushing the vinyl media choice, their first EP was a … Read more
Hauntingly beautiful, The Crystal World is precisely that; and I seriously cannot believe that this almost slipped beyond my notice because Locrian has just simply blown me away with this record of harrowing soundscapes and buried melodies that coax your subconscious into a dream like state. I sincerely mean it; this record is one of those have to hear records … Read more
Bombay Sweets is a Minneapolis band consisting of Nathan Grumdahl (Selby Tigers, Dynamiters) and drummer Jeff Brown (His Mischief). Although the project has expanded beyond Grumdahl’s one-man-band vision, it remains his lovechild. Even with multiple instruments at play, the primary components remain Grumdahl’s guitar and voice. The project is heavily steeped in old 60s records, with R&B-derived rock at its … Read more
Have you ever listened to the record at the wrong time and have it just put you off on that record even though your reaction was not the record’s fault? Well, good for you if this never happens to you; but this scenario does occur to me from time to time, and, unfortunately, it can put my potential enjoyment of … Read more
Whiskey & Co.’s sound hasn’t changed, even if a couple members have. On their third record, the Gainesville band continues their old-school flavored country that spends as much time regretting past decisions as it does swilling beer at the corner bar. Like its predecessors, Rust Colors mines familiar themes- exploring the emotional gamut and adding a bit of boogie-down twang … Read more
Nahemah are a rather different band. Coming out of Spain a country not generally known for their metal and playing a style different than most. They play a style of metal that involves prog, post metal and death metal among others. While some might read that description and picture a band not being able to find a direction and coming … Read more
“To best enjoy this album… try new things” So starts one of the catchiest records this year this side of the Descendents and Rites Of Spring and maybe you do not fit the description given in this opening soliloquy set to music but that does not mean to stop listening by any means, but rather it puts you in the … Read more
Knowing full well this album was dropping this year (it was on my albums to look forward to in 2010 list last year), I was surprised by its release and caught unaware that it had finally dropped to the public; and this definitely affected the way that Recitation hit me for some strange reason. I sit here and say, “You … Read more
When it comes to overlooked bands, Chicago’s Arrivals should be right near the top. The band has never been overly prolific, releasing only four records since the mid ‘90s. Yet here we are, in 2010, and the band has released another solid record in Volatile Molotov.The Genre Monster would call the Arrivals pop-punk. They play accessible, melodic songs with a … Read more
As a band, Killing Joke has had numerous peaks and valleys in their career over the past 30 plus years most recently with the death of longtime bassist Paul Raven. The band has been one of the few to successfully tap into different genres over the year’s punk, Goth, metal, rock and experimental dub to name a few. The band’s … Read more
In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first satellite into orbit. In 1969 Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins became the first human beings to walk on the surface of the Moon. About half a century later, it has become evident that these remarkable feats of human innovation and imagination still affect our culture today. Steven Ellison’s (a.k.a. Flying … Read more
Off With Their Heads have built a reasonable fanbase within the fest related punk scene. This is due to certain consistency in their style, without being all the same all the time. Gruff vocals, bass heavy songs, and depressing lyrics all have their place in this. So one had to expect a backlash of sorts when, after a series of … Read more
Their first record for Matador; their first record featuring new bassist Marty Key: The Brutalist Bricks is a record of firsts. It's the band's second shortest record, however (2004's Shake the Sheets is a couple of minutes briefer, at 39:52), and a departure from the drawn-out, exploratory songs of 2007's Living With the Living.Opener 'The Mighty Sparrow' is classic Leo, … Read more
Did you ever just want to pop on a record to zone out to while you are either doing work or trying to rest from some stressful situation, or, did you ever want a mellow record to start the day with or serve as a soundtrack to your latest trip? More and more I am finding these types of records … Read more
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