Rough Times in America is a soulful track that resounds loudly even after the track ceases. A smart production allows each constituent element of the track to shine, meaning that the bass, drums, and multiple vocals are provided with ample opportunity to shine separately and as a contributing element. The track is a call to action, building off of the work of artists like Phil Ochs and USA For Africa.…
After more than a decade off, the Berkley power pop band Lunchbox is back with what is easily their finest collection of songs. A little goofy, but immensely fun, Lunchbox Loves You is 10 indie pop songs brimming with jangly guitars, sing-along choruses and plenty of handclaps.
I Am the Beast is a track that blends together catchy electronic, rap, and rock styles into something that is an expansion of P.O.D. and Eminem. The sheer quality of the musical arrangements during Rock-Rap Dynasty is hat sets off the title from other titles released this year. Lethal Weapon puts the instrumental side of things to the fore, creating a very quick tempo that keeps listeners on the edges…
Hello, Leonard. Thanks for sitting down with us. Can you provide us a little information about yourself and what you are attempting to do with your music? Hi, thanks for having me! I’d say that the things which influenced me the most growing up have been what I’m trying to capture in my writing and in the stylistic choices I’m making in the music. I’ve always loved album-oriented rock, the…
The production of So Ashamed creates a vibrant backdrop for WydeFrame’s unique rap style, which touches upon hints of Andre 3000, 50 Cent, Killer Mike, and Young Buck. The high energy flow present during this track keeps things interesting from beginning to the end. The overall recording of the track is perfect, allowing for the lyrics to be easily digested. The track blends the gritty post-gangster rap of the early…
Poor Andrew Earles. In, Gimme Indie Rock, his impressive new reference guide to Indie Rock, he managed to target a book squarely at the same crowd that will devour it in one reading, then spend endless hours online bitching about the records that were and were not deemed “essential.”
Foundation begins with She Hides Away, a track that touches upon progressive rock, alternative, and harder forms of music. The production is such that the dfferent elements of the tracks – guitars, drums, and vocals – are able to shine on their own as well as contribute to a very cohesive sort of opening. Awake begins with a very spacy / fuzzy guitar and shuffling drum beat before Faraday’s Zevon…
The titular effort on the Lovekill EP is a complex unity of synth-pop, The Anniversary, Say Anything, and Matt and Kim. The track is very dense and filled to the brim with different vocals, instruments, and arrangements. Amongst all of this material something honest and beautiful is created, with the introductory track dovetailing nicely into Honey. The more authoritative and emotionally heavy arrangements here showcase the instrumental side of the…
Shoegaze is still alive and well, thanks to bands like Denver-based A Shoreline Dream. Their fourth full-length, The Silent Sunrise, sounds like a band raised on old Lush, Ride and even a couple of Sigur Ros records. The nine-tracks here divert little from the basic formula of atmospheric guitars and Ryan Policky’s subtle vocals struggling to be heard over the deep lines of synth and guitars. The recording of The…
Duel is the latest effort from Vozerts, who are a cutting edge band from Macedonia. The single will immediately make fans of anyone that has listened to eighties and nineties dance music, industrial, and gothic rock. The production of the track is incredibly clear and allows all the constituent elements ample opportunity to shine through. The different elements – vocals, synthesizers, drums – all combine to make an alluring and…
