Shrinebuilder
Shrinebuilder
Neurot (2009)
Holy supergroup! Even as that term is overused, for underground metal and heavy music, Shrinebuilder is just that when you read the members that comprise this group: Scott "Wino" Weinrich (The Obsessed, St. Vitus, Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand), Scott Kelly (Neurosis, Tribes of Neurot), Al Cisneros (Sleep, Om), and Dale Crover (The Melvins, Nirvana). These four notable characters got together and recorded this beast of a record in just three days (impressive by any measure), which makes it even more amazing as this album sounds so good; but the real question probably rests at whether or not this album delivers according to the talent of the people involved or not. This album surges with power and precision in a way that one should probably expect, but even still, the musicianship on display is a huge surprise; maybe it is because these four men gel to such a large degree and maybe it is because the song arrangements work so well, but regardless these five tracks are a huge delight. The trading vocals between Scott Kelly and Wino in "Solar Benediction" can almost distract listeners from the massive groove and subtle guitar leads for the rocking part of the song, … Read more
Nothington
Roads, Bridges & Ruins
BYO (2009)
In what might be an early contender for "Most Improved Band of the Year," Nothington brings us their second studio … Read more
Florence and the Machine
Lungs
Island (2009)
In a U.K. pop scene increasingly dominated by uncertain female electro-pop princesses or paltry imitations of Rihanna or Beyonce, it's … Read more
Sick Sick Birds
Heavy Manners
Toxic Pop (2009)
Sometimes life gets in the way of good music. When the Thumbs disbanded in 2003, Mike Hall and Bobby Borte … Read more
