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Lucero

When You Found Me
Liberty & Lament (2021)

Lucero describe their music as “rock and soul,” which has evolved from countrified punk to horn-driven rock to balladry and a whole lot more. It’s a fitting and evolving term. Through it all one thing always shines through, which is the personal and heartfelt emotion that defines their songwriting. When You Found Me is predominantly a blend of guitar and … Read more

Orphanage Named Earth

Benefit for Sibir EP (feat. Gosia)
Sanctus Propaganda (2020)

Loads of venues are struggling to keep existing. Not being able to host shows is hurting them big time. A good thing bands like Orphanage Named Earth are stepping up for one such venue. Sibiř a cultural center in Brno, Czech Republic, which they know as they played there in 2018. Sibiř has hosted many DIY bands from all over … Read more

Fox Face

End Of Man
Dirtnap (2021)

It seems fitting that one of the first 2021 releases I’m reviewing is called End Of Man. A look at the news shows a world in crisis and, for deeper meaning, the common parlance is shifting away from gender specific language. So maybe Fox Face is saying men ruined the planet and we’re all gonna die. Maybe they are saying … Read more

Book Review

Flea

Acid For The Children - The autobiography of Flea, the Red Hot Chili Peppers legend
Hachette Publishing (2019)

One would be hard pressed to find anyone remotely into alternative music that has not had an interlude with the ever-expanding oeuvre of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. With the band having had a turbulent history, each of the constituents contributed to what eventually became whole that is much bigger than its individual parts.One of the consistent motors and characters … Read more

The Kinks

Part 1. Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround (Deluxe 2CD)
BMG (2020)

Where do I being on reviewing a deluxe edition of a record that’s 50 years old? I’ll start by saying I’m never going to call a deluxe edition perfect -- because a lot of the records getting that treatment were damn near perfect to begin with. There’s definitely a place and audience for extra material; just note that it wasn’t … Read more

Kimono Drag Queens

Songs Of Worship
Copperfeast records (2020)

Look at that gorgeous and very colorful cover. Now tell me what type of music do you expect? This better be something psychedelic, right? I admit I picked this album for review based on the bandname (stuff like this makes me really curious) and the artwork.I expected something sunny and was not disappointed. This is the stuff that can be … Read more

Real Numbers

Brighter Then EP
Slumberland Records (2021)

Last year took a toll on many, many people. It was rough. It was angry. It was painful. And most art reflected that.Sometimes it’s necessary to take a deep breath, relax, and think about that feeling when the sun shines through the clouds. And that’s what Real Numbers sound like to me. The clean and pristine guitar tones really define … Read more

Debt Neglector

Bad Faith EP
Smartpunk Records (2020)

Debt Neglector put this new digital EP into the world in late 2020, in part to help raise funds for Fair Fight before the Georgia runoff elections. It has five songs, ending on an Elvis Costello cover.That intro is relevant because the songs on Bad Faith are highly political in nature, so it gives an added dimension. The EP also … Read more

Dikembe

Muck
Skeletal Lightning (2020)

Gainesville, FL’s Dikembe have been playing around the scene for quite a few years but I’ve never actually checked out their recorded material. I saw them back at Pre-Fest 6 and enjoyed it live but their brand of emo isn’t really my bag. It’s the kind of music that I find really impressive live but rarely moves me when listening … Read more

Too Many Voices

Catch Me if You Can
Division Street Records (2020)

A nice little seven song ep of mid-tempo and introspective punk rock for us dads in our late thirties. These guys seem to have been around for some time but are new acquintance for me. And a pleasant one too, when I want to listen to hardcore with some thought behind it but that isn’t full-blast in-your-face aggression.Don’t get me … Read more

The Lippies

Pop 'n' Lockdown EP
Red Scare Industries (2020)

I have to admit that I’ve heard a few songs by The Lippies in the past, but never sat down with their 2016 debut and absorbed it in any sense. This EP is kind of my introduction beyond a passing song here and there. And I enjoy it, though I doubt it’s the best first taste of the band given … Read more

Pitch & Bark

Two EPs: Nowhere Near Ohio & Father Hoxy
Bernlore Records (2020)

Elegant desert-shoe-gaze-rock from Santa Fe, New Mexico FFO Pigrow, Storming The Beaches With Logos In Hand and Father John Misty. The landscapes and artistry of Santa Fe, New Mexico comes through well on this older “post rock” cassette. The region’s Kokopelli imagery is a reminder to celebrate fertile land and the gift of life. Pitch & Bark seem to lock … Read more

Book Review

Eliot Borenstein

Pussy Riot – Speaking Punk to Power
Bloomsbury Academic (2020)

It would be appropriate to refer to Pussy Riot not only as revolutionary art collective, but a cultural phenomenon that has itself firmly established on international terrain. Having first risen to prominence via their anti-Putin protest performance in a cathedral in Moscow, there have been a myriad of misconceptions about the conglomerate.Speaking Punk to Power’s approach is informed by not … Read more

Night Jobs

The Shape of Bummers To Come
Independent (2020)

The world needs more 5-song EPs. Why? Because this is a record, not a single with a b-side. The Shape of Bummers To Come has a united vibe from start to finish and it gives a real feeling of seeing a band instead of feeling like an appetizer.Sticking with that theme a little bit, and perhaps because I miss live … Read more

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