A lot of my friends feel they have a duty to recommend me music. I don't mean to sound conceited, but I'm quite an educated individual when it comes to music of multiple genres. So when a friend suggests something to me, it's more often than not something I've already heard. But if I do have a weak spot in my musical spectrum, it would have to be for imports. While I could blame the Atlantic Ocean for me not hearing of Oceansize earlier, I can't really say there is a specific reason for my tardiness on this brilliant UK group. But I can say that I am glad that a certain friend came through with the best band recommendation I've ever had. Effloresce starts off on with a beautiful instrumental, "I Am the Morning," showcasing the brilliant guitar work of the groups trio of guitarists: Mike Vennart, Steve Durose, and Gambler. As the guitars fade away, a homing signal slowly creeps up from the bottom of the mix, like that of an approaching torpedo. Then everything goes silent and we jump into "Catalyst," which shows off the versatility of the band. The track opens with some brilliant alternative metal … Read more
Yo, this CD title sucks. It doesn't even really make sense. Also, fuck the packaging. It's not the average size … Read more
Back in the late nineties a handful of bands like Shai Hulud and Poison the Well began blending technical metalcore … Read more
I love Ryan Adams - in a musical way. When I heard that Ryan Adams's partner in crime, Jesse Malin, … Read more
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Members of Come Closer have played in Dan Padilla, Pinback, Tiltwheel, and more. While that background is helpful for setting the tone, though, it’s not really essential. They are a new-ish group and We Died With Print is their second album. J. Wang is the ringleader of the band, which is rooted in DIY basement punk but expands their sound well beyond those three chords. You’ll find elements of ‘90s alternative, indie rock, folk, even some subtle country tinges if you look for them. It’s world weary music with heart: a band of working class folks who aren’t afraid to show their soft side. I think The Replacements are a good place to start in referencing what Come Closer is doing on this record because, while they have slowed things … Read more
LKN is the side project of Laura K. Newman, who could previously be found playing in the Pensacola, Florida act, Stellamarie. This is her second full length under the LKN moniker and with it, she pulls out all the stops to see that she gets noticed. This album was recorded in several different studios with different gear setups, which detracts … Read more
Remember those spelling/definition tests that you had to take in grade school? You know, the ones where they ask you to give the definition of a word or use it in a sentence. I always loved those, maybe because I thought they were so easy. Okay, term one: "irony." - "Michael, an individual who is not straightedge, enjoys countless bands … Read more
The West Coast seems to have an air of a free spirit that allows songwriters to write various types of music there. About two years ago, I started listening to several California pop bands including Phantom Planet (pre-garage-band-wannabe stage), Rooney, the Like, the Waking Hours, Everybody Else, and Rilo Kiley for their great pop sensibilities. Melée is a pop band … Read more
Meshuggah is one of those bands that make me want to grow my hair out and head-bang for hours on end. When I was around the age of 11, I wanted nothing more than to sport some long flowing locks. Why? At the time, I was attending private school, so we had a fairly strict dress code, one that included … Read more
have the toughest time reviewing material from young bands. For some reason, I feel that just because the band is young, they should have some sort of handicap in terms of review score and such. But on the other hand, if you're this young and this unprepared, you shouldn't be putting out something that is going to sound as immature … Read more
Apparently the title of Les Georges Leningrad's latest translates to "Two Hot Dogs Mustard Cabbage." Whatever. I don't actually own this record. I downloaded it, and for some reason, the titles are different than what how the group's website lists them. I don't feel shame for downloading, but I'd like to state that I do regret not having this on … Read more
For this review I plan on writing about three things: The New Pornographers, summer, and my last week of school (specifically a History of Macroeconomics final). So, for those of you who just want a quick little review, here it is: A.C. (wait, actually, it's Carl, but that's not the point) Newman's debut solo effort The Slow Wonder is a … Read more
Within the world of science there exist certain absolutes that are ever-present and unchanging. While most of these laws are complex to the nth degree, even even the most common simpleton can understand a few of them. For example, the majority of the population knows that no matter how hard you try, oil and water will never mix. Similarly, with … Read more
I'm not going to lie. I first heard this band from one of those Myspace features, and I'm rather glad I did. I was interested in what this band sounded like after I saw their record cover, which displays a discerning-looking panda bear soaking in blood with human body parts in its mouth. Well all right! The sticker on the … Read more
Over the years, and it has been years for them, Neurosis have slowly developed from the melodic death metal juggernaut that graced us with the masterpiece Through Silver in Blood into a post-rock metal hybrid. Despite twenty years of being a band under their belt, Neurosis continues to remain a relevant force in today's music world. The Eye of Every … Read more
Tilly and the Wall is the first band to be signed onto Conor Oberst's label, Team Love. The team is so full of love that they are offering Tilly's entire debut album Wild Like Children here for free. Eat that, you money-grubbing major record label mongers! I bought the album anyway, because I like having the artwork and lyrics in … Read more
Ok, for a pretty big review like this I'm just going to get right to it. With Wilco's fifth studio release, A Ghost is Born, the band is placed at something of a crossroads. They have just come off something of a masterpiece in Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and now must find a way to either carry the torch of that … Read more
I'm nearing twenty years of age and never once during these nineteen-plus years have I been able to view things in anything but color. Don't get me wrong, I've seen black and white films; I've also taken and viewed black and white pictures. For my twentieth birthday I will get my eyes removed and in the empty sockets dog eyes … Read more
Philadelphia has had a long and varied history of producing great punk/hardcore bands. After all, it is this birthplace of Ink and Dagger, Shark Attack, Kid Dynamite, Horror Show and countless others. In that same Philly tradition of quality come Blacklisted, a fairly new band to the Philadelphia hardcore scene. On their debut EP for Stillborn Records, Blacklisted take a … Read more
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