The Jesus And Mary Chain
Glasgow Eyes
Fuzz Club Records (2024)
What I enjoy most about the Jesus and Mary Chain is arguably also their biggest flaw. The band’s slacker energy meets wall of feedback with a surprisingly melodic twist has always worked for me, but it kind of blurs together after a while. It’s kind of rainy day music – hence the classic “Happy When It Rains” off 1987’s Darklands. … Read more
The Johnson Report
The Johnson Report
Independent (2010)
During all of high school, Jen dated Zach. Jen was, hands down, the most beautiful girl in our year. Beyond that, she was extremely smart and cultured: she had been across Europe a couple of times and could tell you the capitals of all the provinces and states if she was asked. There wasn't a guy that I knew who … Read more
The Jonbenét
Ugly/Heartless
Pluto (2006)
The Jonbenét Ramsey murder case has weaved its way in and out of our news chomping lives since the latter part of 1998. This was the time when the world was flummoxed and enraptured by the eight-year-old beauty queen's slaying. Lately the case has returned from the abyss again to haunt us with dolled up pictures of a little girl's … Read more
The Joy Circuit
EP1
Independent (2005)
The Joy Circuit formed out of a unique situation; they were the backing band Ken Andrews hired on for his most recent space/indie/rock outfit Year of the Rabbit. Despite releasing what I considered to be two quality releases, the band fell into shambles. But rather than go their separate ways, drummer Tim Down, bassist Solomon Snyder, and guitarist Jeff Garber … Read more
The Julie Ruin
Run Fast
Independent (2013)
The onesheet drops the term “subversive pop.” While the term may apply lyrically, musically The Julie Ruin is more ‘80s pop in sound. Keyboards lead the melodies and punchy vocals with earworm melodies are at the core, accentuated by a range of percussion accompaniments and funky, danceable bass lines.The Julie Ruin is a continuation of Kathleen Hanna’s 1998 self-titled Julie … Read more
The Keystone Kids
Things Get Shaky
Deep Elm (2012)
Half of The Keystone Kids is half of Slingshot Dakota, while the other half is Ryan O'Donnell of Yo Man Go, and that was enough to hook and reel me in. While both share Carly Comando's soothing vocals and keys, each one is on the opposite side of the indie spectrum. The Keystone Kids verges more on the electro-pop side … Read more
The Killer
Not All Who are Lost...
Organized Crime (2009)
A few months back I spent a weekend in Chicago for the Burning Fight book release show. Granted this wasn't an exclusively Chicago hardcore event per se, but a number of Chicago-based bands were on display as part of the festivities. One such band, and one of Chicago's most established, was The Killer. Watching the hometown crowd react to their … Read more
The Killers
Hot Fuss
Island (2004)
I want to bash the Killer's debut Hot Fuss so much. The press sets them up easily for a beating; there's enough hype to fuel the world for a month or two and they focus on singer/songwriter/synthesizer Brandon Flowers. How could someone from Sin City have the last name Flowers and be in a band named the Killers? I looked … Read more
The Kills
Blood Pressures
Rough Trade (2011)
Allison Mosshart is one sassy bitch (meant only as an endearing term… honestly). What, you doubt this statement or just flat out refuse to believe it? Go get Blood Pressures from her less known and, in my opinion, much better outfit The Kills (you may better know her as the lead singer of the Jack White group The Dead Weather). … Read more
The Kills
Midnight Boom
Rough Trade (2008)
Midnight Boom is the third full-length from the garage duo The Kills - which is VV (Allison Mosshart former lead singer of Discount) and Hotel (Jamie Hince formerly the guitarist of Blyth Power and Scarfo) - following No Wow (2005) and Keep on Your Mean Side (2003). Having a liking to their second record, I feel some excitement for Midnight … Read more
The Kinks
Part 1. Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround (Deluxe 2CD)
BMG (2020)
Where do I being on reviewing a deluxe edition of a record that’s 50 years old? I’ll start by saying I’m never going to call a deluxe edition perfect -- because a lot of the records getting that treatment were damn near perfect to begin with. There’s definitely a place and audience for extra material; just note that it wasn’t … Read more
The Kiss of Death
The Kiss of Death
Tribunal (2004)
It wasn't that long ago that I was greeted with the news that hardcore act Turmoil had decided to call it quits. After a tumultuous grieving period, I was finally able to take The Process Of... out of my CD player and reluctantly move on. Then one day out of the blew I heard a rumor of band featuring members … Read more
The Korea
Колесницы Богов
Independent (2012)
What do you expect a Russian band called 'The Korea' to sound like? I would've bet something like kitschy indy alt rock; I certainly wasn't expecting groovy technical death metal, let alone it being actually good. So allow me to share with you the unexpected delight that is The Korea's Колесницы Богов. (For everyone who is not Russian, like me, … Read more
The Last Felony
Too Many Humans
Lifeforce (2010)
This band is what one supposes would be the great Canadian deathcore hope. That is to say they follow in the footsteps, at least in theory, of Despised Icon. While I'd be the first to say that those are pretty big boots to fill in reality. So you know in basic terms what to expect, a little tech, heavy moshable … Read more
The Lawrence Arms
Metropole
Epitaph (2014)
When The Lawrence Arms released Oh Calcutta! back in 2006, it was billed by the band as a collection of songs utilizing the back-and-forth, high octane punk they enjoy listening to—a conscious decision to switch-up their sound for a record. Then, life happened and the group took eight years for a new album. 2014 brings Metropole, and even with the … Read more
The Lawrence Arms
Oh! Calcutta!
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
Oh! Calcutta! - A Simpsons reference or a slightly more cultured allusion to the 1969 Broadway erotica musical of the same name? Oh! Calcutta! is the fifth full-length from The Lawrence Arms, who have also released a 7", B-sides album, several splits, and more compilation contributions than you could care to name. This latest release is an interesting one for … Read more
The Lawrence Arms
Skeleton Coast
Epitaph (2020)
When a band is releasing its third new record since 2006, you’d expect some inconsistency. The Lawrence Arms seem to be timeless though. With Skeleton Coast they pick right up where they left off Metropole (2014). Take the opening stanza of “Dead Man’s Coat” as an example. Beginning with Chris McCaughan’s soft and wanting melodies, it’s unmistakably The Lawrence Arms. … Read more
The Lawrence Arms
We Are the Champions of the World (A Retrospectus)
Fat Wreck Chords (2018)
The excitement of We Are the Champions of the Word (Retrospectus) is supposed to be the five new songs at the end of the 29-song collection. It probably is, but given how bands often release a Best Of before they breakup, this record feels more worrisome than celebratory. That’s just a personal feeling that views this as some kind of … Read more
