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I Am Kloot

Let It All In
Shepherd Moon (2013)

Truly happy yet honest albums are in short supply. If they’re happy they’re usually over-the-top and use cringe-worthy lyrics, but if the album’s songs are bathed in sadness then there’s a risk that it will sound whiny and dull. On Let It All In I Am Kloot have struck a beautiful balance; the album can be best described as giving … Read more

Locrian

Return To Annihilation
Relapse (2013)

Holy mother of god I was clearly not ready for Return To Annihilation from Locrian, and I guarantee that “Eternal Return” will do the same to you; now, my reaction has more to do with the shockingly uplifting sound and mood that the song seems destined to pop on people as they press play for the first time than the … Read more

Plow United

Marching Band
Jump Start (2013)

After a run from 1992-1998, Plow United reformed in 2011 and they return with new material in the form of Marching Band (Jump Start Records). Plow United hasn’t just re-formed, they’ve written the best 1990s record of the 2010s. Brian McKee’s voice has matured with the years and the songs are tighter and more polished than their early output. Some … Read more

Lifeforms

Multidimensional
Life Force (2013)

I have made some questionable decisions in my lifetime, such as sticking a fork into a live electrical socket, investing in Bernard Madoff, and (briefly) voting Republican. But never have I made a decision I so viscerally regretted as much as I did when I decided to listen to the album Multidimensional, the debut from metal (?) band Lifeforms.Lifeforms are … Read more

Long Distance Calling

The Flood Inside
Superball (2013)

German rockers Long Distance Calling have always occupied an interesting musical space—though they started out unabashedly as a post-metal act, their slow slide into post-rock has been so slow that, by the time their eponymous third album was released, almost no one noticed the difference. And that's part of what makes their newest album, 2013's The Flood Inside, so intriguing—the … Read more

The Bouncing Souls

Comet
Rise (2012)

After nearly everyone has finally stopped paying attention, the Bouncing Souls put out a new album. And holy shit is it ever underwhelming. But you knew that—whether you listened to it or not, you already knew that. If you’re familiar with the band in any capacity whatsoever—whether as a fan or someone that’s merely heard the name before—you knew that. … Read more

Tommy & The High Pilots

Only Human
Redbird Records (2013)

Santa Barbara four-piece Tommy & The High Pilots first formed five years ago in 2008. In that space of time they have released two albums (with Only Human being their third) and an EP. Most of Tommy & The High Pilots' songs are, at their core, slices of catchy pop with sun kissed Californian guitar licks. But like every pop … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Shell Corporation

Time And Pressure
Solidarity (2012)

I glorious little EP fell into my lap, thanks to my editor. It’s the Time & Pressure EP from The Shell Corporation. It’s a beautiful little set of fast melodic punk songs in the same vein as Bigwig and The Explosion. They don’t mind throwing in surprises as well.The first track, “Shit Just Got Real, Son” is a fast paced … Read more

Shell Shag

Forever
Don Giovanni (2013)

Shell Shag put it all on the line in opener “Face to Face.” It’s an autobiographical song, about the two-piece band, their y-shaped microphone, and their art and their travels. When the record continues into the second track “Sweet Hoodie,” there’s a feeling that recalls 1980s pop, but the honesty overrides the hokiness of some of the reference material. Okay, … Read more

Liar In Wait

Translations Of The Lost
Profound Lore (2013)

A cold wave/goth group made up of members of dark, black, sludgy metal bands? Huh? Sounds wild right? But hey, don't knock 'til you've tried it! Because Liar In Wait are absolutely the gloomiest band around right now that aren't French maestros Soror Dolorosa and you probably (definitely) should be listening to them. Comprising of Adam Clemans (vocals, Wolvhammer, ex-Iron … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Heights

Drag Race On The Moon
Independent (2013)

Torontonians The Heights like Angels & Airwaves. They really, really like Angels & Airwaves, which is the most readily apparent characteristic of “Soldier”, the opening track on their Drag Race on the Moon EP. Thankfully there’s enough tweaking and little digressions on the rest of this EP that make it possible to recognise a distinct sound, but it doesn’t happen … Read more

Deafheaven

Sunbather
Deathwish Inc. (2013)

If there was ever an album to challenge Altar of Plagues recent Teethed Injury and Glory for most divisive black metal record of the year, then Deafheaven’s sophomore effort Sunbather is surely the strongest challenger. The band split opinion in almost every circle – black metal fans, shoegaze fans, awful hipsters, critics – no one seems to know what to … Read more

Spock's Beard

Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
Inside Out (2013)

As far as modern progressive rock goes, Spock's Beard are probably the most fun band around. Flippantly named after that one episode of Star Trek that gave us the frighteningly barbate Leonard Nimoy, the band have become known for releasing album after album of high quality, if not exactly original, music. Their most recent studio album, Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless … Read more

Ghost

Infestissumam
Loma Vista Recordings (2013)

Swedish heavy metal/doom band Ghost (who I adamantly refuse to call "Ghost B.C.", vague American "legal reasons" be damned) made quite a splash on the heavy metal scene with the well-received (and confusingly-titled) debut Opus Eponymous in 2010. Between the band's very obvious interest in subversive Christian themes, unexpectedly ostentatious stage presentation, and oddly dedicated insistence on their members' anonymity, … Read more

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