Massive Nightmares
Massive Nightmares
Independent (2024)
Right from the start, this EP sounds familiar. I can’t quite place the band I’m thinking of, but Massive Nightmares hit quickly in a warm and familiar way. They play punchy punk with a big dose of The Replacements-style rock ‘n’ roll. It’s killing me that I can’t place who, exactly, they remind me of, but members also play/played with Great Lakes USA, No Trigger, Save Ends, and David New Joy -- so maybe it’s one of them. Other sites have named The Lemonheads and The Gaslight Anthem too, which are all fitting descriptors. Anyway, back to the review. While the lyrics are serious and emotional, they also don’t take themselves too easily. The opening track, “Worth It,” has some backing “woos” that sound ad libbed -- in a “probably wasn’t supposed to be on the record” kind of way. And to double down on that silliness, “Back To The Beach”( which is a good choice as a single if you just want to hear one song for the band’s vibe) even has a moment where the band makes fake guitar sounds. But otherwise it’s a melancholy, self-deprecating punk rock tune that’s almost too downer to singalong to its catchy … Read more
Aluk Todolo
Lux
NoEvDia (2024)
Aluk Todolo's experimentalism always felt boundless, not shackled to a particular sound or genre. Since their inception back in 2004, … Read more
Chimes Of Bayonets
Replicator
Peterwalkee Records (2024)
New York based three piece, Chimes Of Bayonets, released their first album, Replicator, in February of this year after a … Read more
Night Jobs
Shop Dog EP
Independent (2024)
Can a band sound too personal? Too local? These are my burning questions as I break down the latest EP … Read more
The Dopamines
80/20
Rad Girlfriend Records (2024)
On the brand new 80/20, The Dopamines break into a whoa-oh! about six seconds in, then their trademark shouted vocal … Read more
