Recent reviews

Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Katie Ellen

Still Life
Lauren Records (2018)

What started as a two-piece project after the disbandment of Chumped, Katie Ellen are making a name for themselves in their own right. Since seeing the band live this year on tour with Lemuria, I’ve been obsessed with their latest release Still Life. From the record’s hauntingly beautiful lo-fi appeal to the openness of the lyrics to the beauty in their simplistic style, Katie Ellen remains humble and raw throughout Still Life. “Lighthouse” sounds like poetry, even complete with a spoken-word clip in the middle of the song. Vocalist Anika Pyle places emphasis on even the simplest of words and it translates musically into a harmonious personal and emotional experience. “City/Country” has some of the most relatable lyrics and the way the music subtlety builds behind the vocals really allow both to shine. Title track “Still Life” sums up the record perfectly: “You can’t make love stay/Do your best to hold it in place.” The longest track “Adaptation of Para Todos” was a smart move—starting off with power-pop feels the song dives into instrumental bliss halfway through. And like the ending message in “Lighthouse (Reprise),” it just brings the record back where it all started; home.  Read more

Neighborhood Brats

Claw Marks
Dirt Cult (2018)

I’ve always liked Neighborhood Brats, but I don’t remember the band having so much variation in sound. Over 11 songs, … Read more

The Sidekicks

Happiness Hours
Epitaph (2018)

The Sidekicks are a band that I still pay attention to past my “punk only years”—you know, the years of … Read more

Mozes and the Firstborn

Dadcore
Burger Records (2019)

Part parody and part homage to guitar music, Dutch four-piece Mozes and the Firstborn have set a new tone with … Read more

Character Actor

Character Actor
Dirt Cult (2018)

At SPB, we like to write longer reviews. Reviews that go into depth and give you a reason to read … Read more

Kississippi

Sunset Blush
Alcopop! Records (2018)

Philly duo Kississippi released their anticipated debut album Sunset Blush and unlike some records, it lived up to the hype. … Read more

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One from the archives

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Getaway
Warner Bros. (2016)

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have seen their fair share of detractors over the years. No need to rehash the descriptives here, but the naysayers should give their mouths and keyboards a rest for a while, as The Getaway is the band's strongest album since Blood, Sugar, Sex Magic. Yes, you heard that right. This is the band's strongest album in 25 years.On the first time hearing it, what strikes you is that it has a much softer edge and mellow vibe than any previous RHCP release. Now, before anyone starts freaking out and saying the band has lost their edge, just chill out because there's a big difference between losing your edge and acting your age. The average age of the original members, Anthony Keidis, Flea and drummer Chad … Read more

More album reviews

Clown Sounds

Preacher Maker
Recess (2018)

I was going to review this when it came out, but I like my statements to be accurate, so I went to the source and interviewed Todd Congelliere first. As the tweetbots like to say: BREAKING--an interview will publish here soon.Preacher Maker is the first album under the name of Clown Sounds, fronted by Todd Congelliere, though he also has … Read more

Twin Towers

Replacing God
Independent (2018)

Replacing God by ultra-prolific Kansas-based experimental musician Twin Towers at times seems to be an experimental metal album, but there's much more to the work and I think it has a nice sense of progression as it moves forward. By the end, you feel like you've experienced something. The opening track is rather ominous. Starting off with a somewhat ambiguous … Read more

Murder By Death

The Other Shore
Bloodshot (2018)

Not many bands can make it eight albums into their career without a single dud. Murder by Death's mainstays, Adam Turla and Sarah Balliet, have spent nearly 2 decades honing their skills as songwriters, and they’ve let their growth lead us out into Space. The Other Shore has Turla returning to more of a long form narrative again. However, it … Read more

Kollegah

Monument
Alpha Music Empire / Warner Music (2018)

The last few years have seen a good amount of great German hip-hop albums, however, now there is Monument. Kollegah’s previous emissions are outstanding, but the way he bookended the rollercoaster ride that the year 2018 proved to be for him is the evolutionary apex of an artist who has honed and refined his craft over the last fourteen years, … Read more

Shook Ones

Body Feel
Revelation (2018)

Shook Ones are a nostalgic band for me, they were the most active during my teenage years and I associate them with that time period. I’m sure like most of their fans, I was surprised they released a new full length given that it’s been five years since they’ve released any new music. The band never officially announced they were … Read more

Future Virgins

Doomsday Raga
Let’s Pretend Records/Recess Records (2018)

I was excited about this record 3 seconds in. To put it directly, I’m a big fan of everything Future Virgins has done so I was expecting it. Doomsday Raga fits their catalog well, but it also fits in with the gradual progression from coarse DIY to well-rounded, crisp melodies.There’s a lot to like about the band, but for me … Read more

Jon Spencer

Spencer Sings The Hits!
In The Red (2018)

Garage rock is a term that no longer gets a lot of usage - dissipating into the ether after the resurgence and seeming demise of the genre around the mid-00s. The thing is, it never died. We just forgot where to look. And when it comes to unabashed, unapologetic garage rock, you need look no further than Jon Spencer. He … Read more

Neon Cities

Toulouse
Independent (2018)

The fourth in a string of 2018 releases from Denver-based synth duo Neon Cities, the Toulouse single presents a pair of tracks that showcase distinct sides of the group's sound. With warm synth and hazy, barely there vocals placed on top of a relaxed rhythm and buzzing bass groove,the more pop-oriented title track creates a nostalgic 1980s vibe replete with … Read more

Mitski

Be the Cowboy
Dead Oceans (2018)

Pop comes in many forms. Sometimes you find it on the radio as the nation’s favorite dance hit. Occasionally you’ll hear it pulsating from the walls of your favorite nightclubs. Then, sometimes, it pours out of the anxious head of an artist just looking to create something. Mitski’s fifth studio album, Be the Cowboy, explores different avenues of the genre. … Read more

Mudhoney

Digital Garbage
Sub Pop (2018)

2018 marks the 30th year of existence for Seattle stalwarts, Mudhoney. 30 years on for most bands usually means one or two tired original members clinging to the past - Rewarming leftover albums on tour while an even more tired and bleary-eyed audience leaves early because they have to work the next day. Not so with The Mudhoneys. Digital Garbage … Read more

The Carvels NYC

Everything With You Is A Travesty EP
Independent (2018)

Let me tell you something about reviewing and how it is decided what will get a review on here. Sometimes it is very straight forward: our dark overlord gives a direct order to review something. Luckily (for me at least) life is keeping him too busy to that stuff too often. That’s when I get to browse through the seemingly … Read more

Deafheaven

Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
Anti (2018)

When I first heard that Deafheaven had released a new record, I was skeptical. The thing is, I’m not entirely sure why because the band has more than proven themselves with their past records Sunbather and New Bermuda. Both records killed, but with a band that has already explored the ins and outs of metal, I questioned how they could … Read more

Planet B

Planet B
Ipecac (2018)

There’s been few bands in recent memory as polarizing as The Locust. Upon the first few listens, they sound like the aural equivalent of severed nerve endings after an industrial lathe accident. But if you stick with them - and particularly if you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing them live, what once seemed all pandemonium and chaos becomes clear … Read more

Dead Can Dance

Dionysus
PIAS (2018)

During the 80s and the rise of darkwave, Dead Can Dance was one of the visionary acts that begun experimenting with the darker sound of gothic rock. Built around two magnificent vocalists, Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard, the project evolved from its darkwave roots into something much more potent and unique. In their first phase, Dead Can Dance took on … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)