Flotilla
Disaster Poetry
Independent (2006)
Taste is a strange thing. You start to form an opinion on something from the first contact with it. Take Flotilla for example - a four piece indie-rock band that includes a classically trained harpist and, according to their press release, "a noted composer of contemporary concert music." Now to be honest, the first thing flashed into my mind was … Read more
Flotsam and Jetsam
No Place For Disgrace 2014
Metal Blade (2014)
I can remember very clearly when I first heard of Flotsam and Jetsam. As a young hesher growing up outside of Vancouver, Canada in 1986, some bands were on my radar and some were not. Flotsam and Jetsam were the latter. Until the end of that year, when I heard that their bassist, a certain Mr. Jason Newsted had left … Read more
Flying Colors
Self Titles
Mascot (2012)
It's no secret that I have a love/hate relationship with former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. After leaving what was probably the best drumming gig one could ask for, he's been embarking on several different projects at once, trying to find some direction for his talents. Generally speaking, his new endeavours have been...less than satisfactory--I have written about my vitriol for some of Portnoy's … Read more
Flying Lotus
Cosmogramma
Warp (2010)
In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first satellite into orbit. In 1969 Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins became the first human beings to walk on the surface of the Moon. About half a century later, it has become evident that these remarkable feats of human innovation and imagination still affect our culture today. Steven Ellison’s (a.k.a. Flying … Read more
Foetus
Love
Birdman (2005)
Fire extinguishing foam, cortisone and physostigmine. All highly relevant in today's society and all created by one man, a man you've never heard of. Clint Ruin, Baby Zizanie, Manorexia, Steroid Maximus, Scraping Foetus off the Wheel, Foetus Inc., The Foetus All-Nude Review and all derivations of Foetus' music are also the creations of another man you've probably never heard of,. … Read more
Foetus
Soak
Ectopic Ents (2014)
When you hear the term "industrial" in regards to music from the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein or Ministry, Foetus (a.k.a. Jim Thirlwell) is who you have to thank. Making cacophonies of the highest order since the early eighties, Thirlwell's music in all its incarnations has become more and more visual. Visual, that is, in the sense of the … Read more
Folsom
Folsom
West Coast Worldwide (2004)
With the way things are going in the music world these days, it should only be a matter of months before Folsom is the most jocked band in hardcore. The Las Vegas natives combine aggressive music similar to Merauder with ridiculous breakdowns and lyrics that provide a multitude of opportunities for sing-alongs. I was fortunate to see this band open … Read more
Folsom
Hammer Lane
Ghost Town (2009)
Since hitting the scene with a monstrous demo, Folsom have kept themselves busy with a full-length, couple of EP releases, and sporadic touring. The Las Vegas hardcore group return with LP number two, which follows up their 2008 EP, Neon Light Nights. Folsom continue to churn out punishing metallic hardcore that mixes in a little bit of the beatdown flavor … Read more
Folsom
If You're a Viper
Spook City (2005)
Last year Folsom released their debut full-length through Westcoast Worldwide Records, a label that I would describe as a "word of mouth label." The larger hardcore labels are able to promote their releases in prominent music magazines and have their records distributed by larger entertainment chains such as Best Buy, FYE, etc. Westcoast Worldwide, instead, must rely on the closely … Read more
Fonija
Mislev EP
Balkan Veliki (2017)
Fonija became one of my favorite punk bands… correction: favorite bands with the release of Mojot Pekol. I never heard of this Macedonian band before that release, but boy, that album left a lasting impression. It’s an album I still come back to on a regular basis. The album (...Bez Ime) and split with Culture Development (Magla) that followed are also held in … Read more
Foo Fighters
Concrete and Gold
RCA (2017)
One thing becomes abundantly clear about 28 seconds into "T-Shirt", the first track off Foo Fighters' ninth studio album Concrete and Gold - this will not be your typical Foo Fighters album.What's different about it? Well for starters, the way it was made. After recording 2011's Wasting Light in Grohl's house and garage, then writing and recording Sonic Highways in … Read more
Foo Fighters
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace
RCA (2007)
In their twelve or so years as a band, Foo Fighters have had a more than respectable career. This is equally impressive as it would seem that no one ever thought it would last, including frontman/founder Dave Grohl. As the sole member at the time, Grohl recorded all the instruments and vocals for the 1995 eponymous debut album, adding a … Read more
Foo Fighters
In Your Honor
RCA (2005)
"When someone comes up to you and asks which Led Zeppelin album they should buy, you should say 'Physical Graffiti'. And in 20 years, when your kid comes up to you and asks which Foo Fighters album he or she should buy, I want you to say 'In Your Honor'." - Dave Grohl, 2005 Strong words, Mr. Grohl. Particularly since … Read more
Foo Fighters
Skin and Bones
RCA (2006)
Though I can't speak for my colleagues, I find it isn't unusual for an album to be given a great review or a poor review, only to find that a few months or a year down the road, my thoughts have changed about said album, and I find myself wishing I had reviewed it differently. So when I gave the … Read more
Foo Fighters
Sonic Highways
RCA (2014)
With their newest release, Sonic Highways, we aptly find Foo Fighters at an apparent crossroads and no longer content to write and record music in a traditional fashion. Sonic Highways is an album conceived and written as a companion piece to the HBO series of the same name, and directed by Dave Grohl himself. The concept of the show? Go … Read more
Foo Fighters
The Colour and the Shape (Reissue)
RCA (2007)
The Colour and the Shape was the Foo Fighters second full-length release, though it was the first album in which Grohl enlisted a full band to back him in the writing and recording of the album. Grohl gathered an ensemble of musicians to surround him for what would become the band's breakthrough album: bassist Nate Mendel of Sunny Day Real … Read more
Foo Fighters
Wasting Light
RCA (2011)
Dave Grohl is a man of the people. For the last 16 years he's been one of the most endearing figures in hard music. Terminally cool, brutally honest and adept at the seemingly impossible – being able to walk that most tenuous of lines between artist and everyman. No one ever has or ever will accuse/congratulate the man for reinventing … Read more
Food
Food
Molsook (2009)
Do you know the old bit of folk wisdom that goes something like "Never judge a book by its cover"? Well, substitute record for book, and the old axiom becomes apt the same way. Food's self-titled record is an example of this axiom working in this situation. At first, I completely mistake the cover image for something else because at … Read more
