Review / 200 Words Or Less
Averkiou
Wasted and High

Sound Study Recordings (2009) Loren

Averkiou – Wasted and High cover artwork
Averkiou – Wasted and High — Sound Study Recordings, 2009

The title track on this 7" is a fitting sound, given its title. "Wasted and High" has a pop structure run through the wash, and the fuzzy guitars and calm delivery of singer Matt Brink would fit under the shoegaze label. On "No One's Holding a Gun to Your Head," the band adds more harmony to Brink's sleepy delivery. Meanwhile, the guitarists weave around each other's pedal work while James Hernandez keeps things in order with a steady beat. The song is overshadowed by the a-side, but comes across much stronger than the bonus track that follows on the downloadable bonus. "Jersey" is an acoustic song that screams emo, with slipshod lyrics about how "Staying in love can be a bitch

and

You take and you take," with backing "Oooo-ooo"s. The record would have been better off omitting this one completely.

5.1 / 10Loren • September 1, 2010

Averkiou – Wasted and High cover artwork
Averkiou – Wasted and High — Sound Study Recordings, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Joyce Manor

I Used To Go To This Bar
Epitaph (2026)

Surely by now, you’ve heard their name. Joyce Manor have been writing soundtracks for heartbreaks and hangovers for nearly two decades now. They create short songs with their hearts on their sleeves, while sticking to that distinct Southern California mix of self-deprecation and sincerity. From the lo-fi charm of their 2011 debut to Never Hungover Again’s cult-classic status and the … Read more

La Luz

Extra! Extra!
Sub Pop (2026)

Formed in 2012, La Luz built their reputation on hypnotic surf-noir, eerie harmonies, and a uniquely supernatural warmth that made them one of Sub Pop’s most consistently compelling bands. Their 2024 full-length News of the Universe marked a major artistic shift. The sound became lush, cosmic, dust-covered, and produced by Maryam Qudus, whose work helped push the band into its … Read more

Dead Boys

Night Of The Living Dead Dolls
Cleopatra (2025)

Dead Boys, or should I say Dead Dolls (no, not those creepy little Dolls that were mass produced for wannabe Wednesdays). Johnny Blitz had just been stabbed on the streets of New York. A benefit was created to raise funds to help the fallen comrade, known as the Blitz benefit. Look it up, plebeians. Anyways cue in snot, attitude and … Read more