Christos Fanaras
Impermanence
Adaadat (2014)
It’s difficult to find a decent single-track LP these days. A classic is Sleep’s Dopesmoker (disregarding the album’s live bonus material). The title track is a 63 minute-long sludgy opus about Jesus getting stoned in the desert. It’s definitely one of my favorite albums of all time, too. Another brilliant one-track album is The Great Barrier Reefer by Bongripper, a … Read more
Chuck Ragan
Till Midnight
Side One Dummy (2014)
It’s almost at the point where Chuck Ragan has reinvented himself. Sure, he’s always had the voice and he’s done the countrified thing in the past with Rumbleseat, but the level of professionalism and dedication he’s brought to his solo project is worth noting. He’s now released four solo records and built his own momentum beyond the punk rock scene.Till Midnight maintains … Read more
City States
Geography
Safety Records (2014)
They say that good things come to those that wait and for City States and their main member Joel Ebner, it's certainly true. Ebner has spent many years creating and perfecting his debut - Geography - and after forming in 2008, City States first record finally saw the light of day earlier this year. Geography is a lovely little record, … Read more
Clad In Darkness
Decathect
Independent (2014)
Good things come to those who wait. It's a cliché, yes, but for Clad in Darkness that old adage rings wholly true. Having formed at least fifteen years ago, the band have taken their sweet, sweet time in releasing their debut record. A couple of EPs have seen the light but for this Chicago based band, a full length was … Read more
Coathangers
Suck My Shirt
Suicide Squeeze (2014)
This Atlanta trio caught my attention with Larceny & Old Lace a couple of years ago, and Suck My Shirt is a continuation of that sound. It shifts into hypnotic, rhythmic patterns and eschews melodies at times, instead just shouting their fury over the beat while discordant guitars clash away. It’s not noise rock—there’s still a firm focus on structure and tonal pleasantries—instead, it’s … Read more
Coffinworm
IV.I.VIII
Profound Lore (2014)
Coffinworm has been terrorizing the world since the release of their debut demo, Greater Bringer of Night. From that point on the black/doom/sludge sickening horror that they unleashed continues to haunt us. Their excellent debut album, When All Becomes None, would certainly seal the deal, and their split with Fistula would only increase the anticipation for a follow-up album.So here it is, IV.I.VIII, making us … Read more
Container
Adhesive
Liberation Technologies (2014)
Combining throbbing electronic music with scratchy and crackly noise elements, Providence, Rhode Island’s Container has been getting more and more notice in recent years. Perhaps one reason for this is the fact that musician/producer Ren Schofield (who essentially is Container) has continued to improve, pumping out almost industrial-oriented tracks using conventional techno beats even as many electronic artists have been … Read more
Cross
Pyre
Deranged (2014)
Made up of one half of Sweden’s Masshysteri (vocalist Robert Hurula and drummer Erik Viklund), Cross play dark and grimy music that seems indebted to the almost primal, noisy garage rock of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The group’s loud, sinister, and chaotic 7” debut Pyre makes up for what it lacks in quantity with an overload of shrieky guitar, loud, … Read more
Cross Examination
Dawn of the Dude EP
Organized Crime (2014)
Sometimes I just want to eat a bunch of pizza, drink a 30 pack of Special Export Light, smoke one million doobies, make out with chicks in a swimming pool, stay up all night tripping on mushrooms while watching hippies swirl glow sticks and eat fire, and then make out with more chicks in a tent as the sun comes … Read more
Dan Webb and the Spiders
Now It Can Be Told
Safe Responsible (2014)
Dan Webb and the Spiders have been out spreading their punk rock for a few years now. They've collected a bunch of unreleased tracks, some singles and splits, as well as some bonus tracks from their second album and put them on one big compilation for all to enjoy in one place. Now It Can Be Told is perfect for … Read more
Dark Model
Dark Model
Independent (2014)
If you find yourself loving classical or orchestral pieces, but would just enjoy something with a little more electronic funky vibe this is what you’re looking for. I imagine such wide varieties for this music and it can fit with many of my moods. None of these songs have lyrics but the music speaks for itself. I find myself lost … Read more
Deadkill
No, Never!
Good to Die Records (2014)
Following a buzz-worthy 7” and string of shows around Pacific Northwest alongside the likes of The Spits, White Lung,OFF!, and High on Fire, Seattle's Deadkill have released their 14-song debut album No, Never! The first thing that jumps out is how clean-sounding this is. The production is over-the-top slick, which is not surprising considering the album was recorded by Matt Bayles, who is known … Read more
Deadmen
Anger Rising
Afraid of the Basement (2014)
This is some metalpunx ouf of New Jersey. Superfast and snotty as all hell. Like some spikey-haired snot punk singing for a grind band or something. There’s sweet breakdowns too, which lend it a hardcore vibe. Maybe I’m way off-base, but that’s what I’m feeling. Not always my favorite thing, but I find this rather endearing. Guitars are sick. Especially … Read more
Death From Above 1979
The Physical World
Last Gang / Warner Bros. (2014)
For a time in the mid- to late-2000s, it seemed as if Canadian drum and bass duo Death from Above 1979 might go the way of Neutral Milk Hotel and disappear right at the height of their popularity. Coming off their exhilarating and slightly raunchy 2004 album You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine which seemed to pop up at just … Read more
Death Grips
Niggas On The Moon
Harvest / Third Worlds (2014)
Death Grips have been making a strong and confrontational statement in music since their inception. Zach Hill (Former drummer extraordinaire for Hella), Stefan "MC Ride" Burnett, and Andy "Flatlander" Morin have been making caustic rap punk that always leaves first-time listeners at a loss for words. Their self-described "accelerated music" contains samples that range from "Up The Beach" by Jane's Addiction, … Read more
Devo
The Complete Truth About De-Evolution
MVD Visual (2014)
I’ve long felt there are fewer lesser art forms than the music video. It turns out I was wrong—or, at least pre-1990 it was another game. The Complete Truth About De-Evolution is a DVD compilation of all of Devo’s music videos (1976-1990, minus “Are U Experienced?”), running in chronological order, and it’s a spectacle to behold. Besides the high quality … Read more
Diarrhea Planet
Aloha (Reissue)
Infinity Cat (2014)
Formed in 2009, Nashville, Tennessee’s Diarrhea Planet initially were known for their goofy name more than anything else, but with the 2014 reissue of their first EP Aloha, it becomes possible to see why their reputation has only grown over the past few years. A full on assault of wicked, snarling guitar licks, punchy rhythms and amusingly vulgar lyrics, this early … Read more
Diarrhea Planet
Yama-Uba EP (Reissue)
Infinity Cat (2014)
Showing up a few years after the group’s 2009 debut Aloha, Diarrhea Planet’s 2011 three-track EP Yama-Uba is a more consistent release, with a sound that’s similar to that of 1990s pop-punk group The Queers. Infusing singalong vocal harmonies, intricate guitar work, and soaring solo lines into familiar, old-time rock song formulas, opening tracks “Hot Spit” and “Mutt-Feast” show that Diarrhea Planet (whose vocalist … Read more
