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

Menace Ruine

The Color of the Grave Is Green
Union Finale Records (2025)

One of the most unique voices in extreme music, Menace Ruine stand out in their sonic evolution. The duo of Geneviève Beaulieu and Steve de la Moth started out in a raw, uncompromising fashion, merging black metal and industrial to create absolute havoc in Cult of Ruins and The Die is Cast. In the coming years, they would expand this … Read more

Extortionist

Stare Into The Seething Wounds
Unique Leader (2025)

With a band name like Extortionist, you instantly know they aren’t messing around. I’ve watched enough true crime documentaries to know when you’re going to get tangled up with someone you shouldn’t. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this band gives you exactly what you want and expect – raw, merciless and unforgiving music. Looking at the cover art and their … Read more

The Carolyn

Pyramid Scheme of Grief
59X, Disconnect/Disconnect (2025)

This is one of my "find" records of the year so far. I caught a few songs by The Carolyn at FEST 22 and that essentially put them on my radar, but a new record gets a band even more on my radar. But I've been struggling on how to describe The Carolyn. I'll start with "like The Lawrence Arms, … Read more