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Partial Traces

Wild Surf/Quiet Blues
Salinas Records (2021)

Partial Traces play pop-inspired keyboard rock – but not at all the kind you imagine when you hear those words. In pop songs, the keyboard generally brings melodrama or atmosphere. In Partial Traces, those two ideas meet in the middle. It’s emotional and serious, but instead of dramatic, it’s tonal. It feels real and authentic, which largely comes from the … Read more

Bricheros

Live at Hensley
Snappy Little Numbers Quality Audio Recordings (2021)

I don’t know anything about Bricheros beyond what’s in the press sheet. Which has quite a bit of info, really, but in the spirit of due diligence, let’s just say I want a little more. The band plays Panic Button Records-style Ramones-core with a strong dose of Screeching Weasel. In fact, they cover both of those bands on side B. … Read more

Tomoko Omura

Branches Vol. 2
Outside In Music (2021)

Today we’re looking at one lovely record - it’s Branches Vol. 2 by Brooklyn based Japanese violinist and composer Tomoko Omura. Tomoko’s works span a fairly vast territory, encompassing areas from jazz, modal jazz, post-bop, Japanese folk, gypsy music, and fusion with varying musicians. Branches Vol. 2 is the physical and spiritual successor of Branches Vol. 1. I actually never … Read more

ONETWOTHREE

ONETWOTHREE
Kill Rock Stars (2021)

The hook on ONETWOTHREE is the band is comprised of three bassists. Which, actually, means there are a ton of hooks on this, their debut record. And now that I’ve hooked you with unnecessary wordplay, I’ll get on with things. But, really, it was the unique arrangement that first intrigued me. The lineup consists of Klaudia Schifferle (Kleenex/LiLiPuT), Madlaina Peer … Read more

Sweeth Teeth

Acid Rain EP
Lövely (2021)

If I tell you some band members from bands like Disfear, Dollhouse, Year Of The Goat, Tortyr and The Dontcares started a new band together, what kind of music would you expect to come out? Now, I don’t know every band from that list, but considering the bands I do know I would probably just frown a bit, because they … Read more

Deafheaven

Infinite Granite
Sargent House (2021)

I never really thought in any measure that I’d be writing at any point in time a review of a Deafheaven record, yet here we are. Even now I remember the absolute furor that bundled virally around their 2013 release, Sunbather. I didn’t really understand then, nor do I understand now why was it so huge. Personally, I couldn’t then … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Neon Belly

Self-Titled
Fort Lowell Records (2021)

Let’s call it like is it is. Punk rock has been too much of a boys’ club for far too long. And, since the style is rooted in blunt communication, what better way to call attention than putting the scene on alert on the first song of a band’s first EP? Neon Belly starts with a mission statement in “The … Read more

Rivers Of Nihil

The Work
Metal Blade (2021)

The Work was one of the most anticipated metal records of the year. Let me start this review by curbing your enthusiasm and letting you know that this album is a bitter disappointment. It took me about sixteen listens (it was a fucking chore) to also find out that it’s ultimately not a legitimately bad album, but it isn’t legitimately … Read more

Rïcïnn

Nereïd
Blood Music (2020)

Where do you even start with an album like this? It’s been a while since it’s been released, so I definitely had time to immerse myself into it properly as well as getting the leverage of seeing how it aged, even if over a short period of time in terms of timespan when talking about albums. Rïcïnn’s latest record, Nereïd … Read more

Not On Tour

Outtakes EP
SBÄM Records (2021)

I can’t believe this is the first time Not On Tour is reviewed on this site. Not On Tour is a skate punk band from Tel Aviv, Israel. This band is insanely melodic and catchy. Not On Tour is one of those bands that master a certain art: they seem to effortlessly combine speed with catchy melodies. The band nailed … Read more

Band of Bastards

DELETE. REPEAT.
Redacted Records, SilverDoor Music (2021)

It’s nice when artists get back to their roots. There’s a time and place for growth and exploration. But there’s also a time and place to let the rage loose, and that’s what’s happening with Band of Bastards on their debut twelve-song slab of blistering hardcore. That’s probably not what you think about when you heard band names like ...And … Read more

Descendents

9th & Walnut
Epitaph (2021)

While I like new Descendents, their older stuff always had an intangible bite to it. The new stuff feels more sarcastic while their earlier material was pissed off underneath that playful disposition. And that’s what you get on 9th & Walnut which is billed as the band’s eighth studio album, though the timeline is more complicated than that. All 18 … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Sunshine Satellite

Sunshine Satellite
Snappy Little Numbers (2020)

Ah, an actual tape cassette…in a day and age where portable digital devices are ubiquitous, I find delight whenever an analogue tape pops up – even more so when the sound of the bands fits the medium. Case in point: Sunshine Satellite, a duo that channels its alchemy in sleek and powerfully compact garagey-pop-punk tunes, serenaded by female vocals in … Read more

Southpaw

Just A Spell of Feeling Nothing
Independent (2021)

There is a lot of productive ways to spend a pandemic lockdown: 1. Grow your own windowsill herb garden 2. Watch all the seasons of Law & Order and make note of how many episodes pass the Bechdel test (spoiler alert: it’s two). 3. Make an album with your mates. Ok, calling 1 and 2 “productive” is a bit of … Read more

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