Epic Problem
All Broken
Pirates Press (2013)
I wasn’t expecting this one to hit like it does. It’s raw, forceful, and honest; personal but socially conscious, and it blends street punk energy and repetition with so-called “beard punk sensibility.” In many ways, it reminds of American Steel’s self-titled debut, putting a rough persona atop more emotionally-driven content.Starting with the gruff vocal tradeoffs of “Choke,” there’s an immediate impact to the All Broken EP. Whenever the fury feels like it might begin to wade, instead there’s a big breakdown and some chant-along vocals to catch breath before kicking into a big final verse. It’s a strong song and it makes a statement about both Epic Problem and the record. The band, just formed in 2010, includes former members of Blitz, Dangerfields, and Dead Subverts. It’s both fist-in-the-air and singalong ‘til your hoarse punk. While it starts big, it does lose some stream as the 6-song short-player progresses. The songs themselves don’t let up—drummer Greg Boulton is a beast—but the frequency of backing vocals ends up hurting things as the record continues. To put it delicately, the voice is an acquired taste that somewhat reminds of the secondary vocals in Against All Authority, a band who might also be … Read more
Rifle Diet
Abuse Begets Abuse / The Affected
Profane Existence (2013)
The fourth inclusion in the Profane Existence Single Series arrives via Minneapolis, MN's Rifle Diet, a band comprised of former … Read more
True Widow
Circumambulation
Relapse (2013)
I know when I think of stoner music, I think of pot-fueled haziness, guitar theatrics straight out of the '60s, … Read more
Kanye West
Yeezus
Def Jam (2013)
In an interview with the New York Times that predated the release of Yeezus, sixth solo album from Kanye West, … Read more
Night Birds
Born To Die In Suburbia
Grave Mistake (2013)
Releasing the 7” teaser Maimed for the Masses certainly helped introduce the increasingly prominent surf guitar in Night Birds. Still, … Read more
