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The Wild

Dreams Are Maps
Asian Man (2013)

Maybe Defiance, Ohio are the height I hold the folk-punk genre to, maybe it’s just that they’re the first such band to really click with me. Regardless, on listening to The Wild’s second full-length, Dreams Are Maps, I find myself making several comparisons. Given the context that’s a good thing. Given the band’s overall sound, well, there are also some … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Haiku Salut

Tricolore
How Does It Feel to Be Loved? (2013)

To say Haiku Salut are an odd ensemble would fall several metres short of the mark, judging by their 2013 release Tricolore.Their music has influences from all over the map, unifying elements of indie, post-rock, electronic music, and even baroque pop. Their compositions, largely instrumental, rarely conform to expectations, with each piece taking more twists and turns than can be … Read more

Video/DVD Review

Various Artists

SpokAnarchy!
MVD Visual (2013)

SpokAnarchy! is a feature-length documentary about the punk rock and new wave movement that took place in Spokane, WA during the ‘80s. Even if you're unfamiliar with the bands or have never even heard of Spokane for that matter, it’s an engaging story told by a seemingly unending source of the scene’s survivors. Many of the characters in the movie … Read more

The Blind Shake

Key to a False Door
Castle Face Records (2013)

It’s no secret to long-time site readers that I’m a fan of The Blind Shake. The Minneapolis trio has released a run of albums now, both on their own and with psychedelic luminary Michael Yonkers. All the while, their distinct sound continues to evolve. Starting as, to coin a term, a power-crunch band, it’s moved more heavily into distortion and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

One Hundred Year Ocean

Where Were You While We Were Getting High?
Broken World Media (2013)

Where Were You While We Were Getting High?, the latest release from the seven-member Connecticut indie-emo band One Hundred Year Ocean, is a four-track collection of massive, breathtaking sonic concoctions.The EP starts with the slow, slightly depressing “Hospital Town”. “Soco Amaretto Bud Light Lime” immediately follows with a faster tempo and brighter feel. “Apples” preserves the happy vibe with upbeat … Read more

Aidan Baker & Leah Buckareff

Breathing Heavy Breathing
Thisquietarmyrecords / Broken Spine Productions (2012)

If the droning sounds were not an indication, then certainly the overall sonic motif is definitely all Aidan Baker, at least his solo piece on this split record with his partner Leah Buckeroff; and while Baker is certainly known for his moody reverb drenched droning that offers sweet sounds and hidden melodies, “Heavy Breathing” actually contains quite a bit of … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Long Lost

Save Yourself, Start Again
No Sleep (2013)

Long Lost first began life as the acoustic side project of Transit frontman Joe Boynton, shortly after the release of Transit's fourth album Young New England he turned his attention to Long Lost making it his main band. The result of this is Save Yourself, Start Again, an album of songs consisting of retrospective glances and attempts of retribution. Perhaps … Read more

Caïna

Litanies of Abjection
Independent (2013)

Litanies Of Abjection isn't your standard Caïna release. It isn't what you expect and it certainly isn't a black metal record. It's something new, different and it's also incredibly personal and as such a terrifying and oppressive listen. For those who have followed the musical career of Andrew Curtis-Brignell, the change and shift shouldn't really come as that much of … Read more

The 1975

Self Titled
Dirty Hit (2013)

If you were to walk past any major chain shop these days, there is an overwhelming high probability that you will spot multiple 'retro' items placed in the window display; frankly society's current infatuation with the 80's and 90's is starting to get to a rather worrying level. And if you are as a savvy as The 1975 appear to … Read more

Isis

Celestial (Re-Issue)
Ipecac (2013)

I could make a career out of doing reviews of Isis reissues. But what makes reviewing Celestial so difficult is that it is already a legendary album, to the point where everything to be said about it from a critical standpoint has been said before. So instead of trying to sell you on the album itself (because really, it's just … Read more

Avenged Sevenfold

Hail To The King
Warner Bros. (2013)

Look on the interweb and you'll find love for Avenged Sevenfold and you'll find hate. A lot of hate. I understand the love, but I don't quite understand the hate. The hate brigade's consensus would maintain that they're poseurs. Wannabes. Clowns in the metal circus. This is dismissive. I've always viewed them as a group of kids who don't quite … Read more

Nails

Abandon All Life
Southern Lord (2013)

The only reason Metallica is supposedly used as a torture tactic in Guantanamo is because the C.I.A. doesn't know about Nails. I mean that to sound neither glib nor uncomplimentary - there's a cruel relentlessness to Nails that I and other fans of extreme music will most certainly appreciate, but, and I'll avoid the arrogant use of the term understanding … Read more

El-P & Killer Mike

Run The Jewels
Fools Gold (2013)

Run the Jewels could easily have been a victory parade after the momentous 2012 that Killer Mike and El-P had. Before declaring themselves an actual duo, the two artists were both lauded for albums that were released a week apart of one another. Killer Mike's R.a.p. Music, produced almost entirely by El-P, combined Producto's electronic palette with the slow draw … Read more

Ormen Lange

Black
Stayposi (2013)

Chicagoan quartet Ormen Lange (probably named after the mightiest Viking longship, not the natural gas field on the Norwegian continental shelf) are far from a unique band--how many lightly progressive sorta instrumental artists can you name off the top of your head? Probably enough to feel as disillusioned as I. But despite my admitted jadedness with the genre, I still … Read more

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