Month: September 2013

Posted on: September 30, 2013 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 1

In Case We Die By Danny Bland Book Review

Yes the alkie/junkie-who’s-really-a-good-guy genre has been around for a long, long time. The fact that anyone would try and tread that ground after Charles Bukowski is simply mindboggling, but somehow Danny Bland takes the challenge and does remarkably well. In Case We Die, the first novel from Bland (best known as a musician for The Dwarves, Cat Butt and Best Kisser in the World) is dark, emotional and surprisingly funny.…

Posted on: September 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

A Hundred Years Altered Reality CD Review

Mermaid opens up Altered Reality, and provides listeners with a brief introduction for where the band will ultimately go over the course of the album. While the driving instrumentation hurtles listeners quickly to the track’s conclusion, I feel that there is a very meaty and fulfilling sound that is whipped up here. Black Bones is a track that takes on hints of alternative, goth, and psychedelic rock. The interaction between…

Posted on: September 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Sidleys Bittersweet CD Review

  Bittersweet is a timeless bit of alternative pop that contains some alluring instrumental arrangements and catchy vocals. While the initial track on Bittersweet is easy on the ears, Burning is a track that is sultry and soulful. The inclusion of funk and soul into the mix will appease fans of Pink and Christina Aguilera. Play It Down is a very dynamic track that has The SIdleys continue to speed…

Posted on: September 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Gundriver Gundriver No. 1 CD Review

    Against The Darkness is very heavy and has the same grit and grim determination of Animalize-era KISS or Fear of the Dark-esque Iron Maiden. The guitars cut a bold path that is further trodden by authoritative drums and a set of vocals that are raw and utterly forward. Rip It adds hints of Anthrax and Judas Priest into the mix, speeding up the tempo while presenting a ropy…

Posted on: September 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Skeletons in the Piano Please Don’t Die CD Review

  Please Don’t Die begins with The Price Put on You, an introduction that provides a microcosm of the styles and approaches that Skeletons in the Piano will utilize on this album. Longpig is a track that has the instrumentation and the vocals struggle for dominance. It is the dynamic between these two elements that push the track into a completely different effort. The shambling, jangling approach taken by Skeletons…

Posted on: September 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Wiseguys ‘n Scallywags S/T CD Review

  Abomination is an intense track that stands at the juncture between punk, metal, and hard rock. Wiseguys ‘n Scallywags kick things into high gear early, linking together an absolutely brutal sound with an emotional florish. Better Off Undead is a track that touches upon The Early November and Brand New as much as they take up hints of AFI and early Avenged Sevenfold. The disc hits a new high…

Posted on: September 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Dream Logic Self-Titled CD Review

  Quietly Freaky is a warm and inviting introduction for The Dream Logic, while the narrative brought will ensure that listeners stick around. The dynamic achieved by each of the instruments during Quietly Freak showcases another strength; the bass, drums, and guitars create a dense and fulfilling arrangement. What People Say continues to expand The Dream Logic’s palette as the band takes on bold new arrangements and a panoply of…

Posted on: September 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Reckless in Vegas The Hard Way Review

  Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You starts in a very soulful and singular fashion, allowing the band to continue gaining momentum and energy. It is this delightful addition of speed that makes Reckless in Vegas shine; the vocals will call forth individuals like Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) while the guitars twinkle with all of the indie fury of Coldplay or The Black Keys. Reckless in Vegas tackles a…

Posted on: September 29, 2013 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

The Torches The Authority of Review

It takes some balls to call out Tom Waits as a reference point in your band bio; Even more when your music fails to live up to even Waits’ weakest musical output. You can see where the D.C. based indie blues noise band The Torches were going with that comparison; frontman Stephen J. Perron Guidry boasts a purposely off kilter delivery, with a deep baritone matched by a banjo and…

Posted on: September 29, 2013 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Call Me Fitz The Complete Third Season DVD Review

This darkly comical Canadian TV series has yet to really catch on in the U.S., but thanks to DVDs it is finally managing to carve out a small, but loyal following here. The show originally aired on HBO Canada, but can be seen in the U.S. on Direct TV, not exactly mass exposure. Call Me Fitz stars Jason Priestly as a boorish used car salesman battling with the sudden appearance…