The Suicide Machines-Battle Hymns-This is another band that I am giving a 2nd (and 3rd) chance to prove themselves. This album is much more cohesive then the first one I reviewed. The Suicide Machines end each song before it gets stagnant, by having the songs only last about a minute and a half each. They also are talented enough to keep the mix away from stagnation, changing styles numerous times…
The chunky rock of Suffrajett that starts off their self-titled EP in “Mr.Man” is reminiscent of acts like Joan Jett, but also from the very loud and raucous female country singers of the last decade (such as Shania Twain). The production is very Spartan for this disc, showcasing the empty space more than the instrumentation of the disc. This creates some tension in the track, something that is only negated…
Philly psychedelic Indie pop rockers the Photon Band have been at it since the early 90’s and they remain just has hard to categorize as they’ve ever been. Sounding like MC5 on one track and The Smithereen’s on the next, the band seamlessly skips from one genre to the next. Pure Photonic Matter [Volume 1], their latest, starts off with a swirl of electronic noise and what sounds like a…
Hookworms has been terrorizing headlining bands across northern England (as support with Wooden Shjips, Sun Araw and Peaking Lights), and beyond through sheer sonic velocity and emotive intent. The reel feels cathartic, each fresh revolution of the loop a confrontation between the band and themes of depression, loss and anger – subjects close to the heart of the group’s vocalist MJ. Pearl Mystic is an absolutely thunderous statement of…
What Could It Be? is the initial track on The Great Deception, and it provides ample background for listeners. Touching upon the Roswell alien crash, What Could It Be? links organic and human elements with a more tranc-y, out of this world instrumentation. Instructions immediately brings listeners into a style that fans of Styx and Utopia would appreciate. Seconds Before Landing touch upon a wide array of influences from the…
There is a high amount of energy that is present on this mixtape, and a considerable portion of that comes from the work of DJ Malone. Where the most common mixtapes around have DJs touting themselves at the expense of the songs that listeners want to hear, there is a much more organic feel to the compilation of cuts here. What DJ Malone Productions does here is blend the hottest…
Kelsea Little begins Personal Myth with Blue Feather, a track that has a delightful sound. Little allows the instrumentation on this introductory effort to keep up with her effervescent and bubbly style. What results with the beginning of Personal Myth is nothing less than impressive – It Hasn’t Gone Away looks back into fifties rock just as much as it touches upon a current and contemporary singer-songwriter sound. Little’s vocals…
Have It Your Way is a track that touches upon the work of Akon, Ne*yo, and Chris Brown. There is a certain twinkling nature to the track that will appease any fans of R&B. Michael’s vocals here could easily make it onto pop rotation, while the production pushes his vocals into an entirely separate realm from the average R&B fodder. One Night brings things back to a more time-tested tradition,…
Old Habits are Hard to Break is the latest effort by Howard Salmon and Deborah Martin-Lemmon, and it represents an album that is continually hooky and infectious. Take Me Down is a current take on the halcyon days of nineties countries. The lively arrangement of the track allows for a walking bass line, dual vocals, and strings to push each other to a higher plateau. One of these Days slows…
Razor & Tie has been stocking their bull pen lately with a slew of metal and hard rock bands, so the recent signing of punk-tinged, synth indie rockers Born Cages was a bit surprising, in that they sound nothing like a majority of their label mates. But if this two song 7” is any indication, someone at Razor & Tie A&R needs a promotion or at the very least an…
