Incredibly intense jazz sessions from this band, somewhat surprising to me because most of the looking-back jazz that I’ve heard has been unnecessarily unoriginal. The piano lines that Chris begins “Big Foot” with rival anything speed-wise that such great pianists as Earl Hines could do. The bass lines put down by Simon Fisk during the opening compromise an metaphorical and literal bridge that really bring all three instruments into something…
2012 has been an incredible year for Chet Faker. In March he played stand-out performances at SXSW, including a performance at the Filter Magazine Party and was touted as a ‘must see’ act by The Austin Chronicle. All of this momentum led to a record deal with Downtown Records who are set to drop the Thinking in textures EP May 22nd with a vinyl release on June 19th. Chet Faker’s full length…
MISS MAY I have released a video trailer previewing their upcoming music video for the track ‘Hey Mister’ on the official band YouTube page. ‘Hey Mister’ is the first single cut from the band’s upcoming full-length album, At Heart. Keep your eyes peeled—the new video is coming very soon! Singer Levi Benton exclaims, “We’re so excited to be dropping this video next week and we thought we’d give you…
Ray Tarantino is an exciting musician that we stumbled upon a few weeks back. He has just released a new self-titled album. This 2012 release covers a wide array of different musical styles, genres, and overall approaches to music. It is this eclectic nature that makes this title a must-have. The evolution that has taken place since Tarantino’s debut, Recusant. Recusant benefitted from the masterful production of Simply Red’s Tony…
Sittin’ In My Room is a track that has so much soul to it that listeners will immediately be singing along. The track has it all, whether it is a solid production, a hot flow, or an instrumentation that properly highlights all points of T.O.N.E-z’s output. Where the lyrical content of a great many rap songs are lost in the mix of red-lined synths and guitars, I feel that…
The energy that resides barely beneath the surface on the Silversun Pickups’ “Kissing Families” is something to behold. Lead vocalist Nikki finds the skill to show that ey has the desire to completely snap and lash out against the world, but tempers it to a T and really makes everything fit underneath the Breeders-meets-System Of A Down like sound that “Pikul” has. This is unrepentant, angry indie-rock that breaks…
To mark the release of their debut album, out today, 2:54 unveil the video for their forthcoming single ‘Creeping’, with the 7in released on June 18th via Fiction. The video, directed by talented Scandinavian duo Frode & Marcus, ‘Creeping’s malevolent melodies are perfectly complimented by the eerie waterscape and desolate countryside of this stunning music video. The single was realized in union by the one and only Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails, Jesus &…
The hopeful opening of “Carnavas” puts listeners into a good mood. The fact that Silversun Pickups play such an interesting brand of indie rock should keep listeners in that mood. The fuzz present on the guitars is unnatural, but Silversun Pickups can couch it in a compelling way. During tracks when this type of distortion is present, such as “Melatonin”, the guitars (and distortion) are the key emotional force…
The sad thing about this recording in that in no way captures the intensity or impressive nature of the band, especially after one has seen them live three or four time. However, this is a strong step in a direction where a great many of these nascent local scenes need to go in cataloging their music, even if it is only on a CDR (as Nothing Special is). The…
On June 2, Janie Fricke with bluegrass duo The Roys, will headline “Song of the Mountains” at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia. The show’s host, Tim White, and his band the VW Boys will join Janie with their special brand of music, magic and comedy. The following week, Janie will return to CMA Music Festival in Nashville for performances and signings on June 7-8 at various places including, the…
Forming in early 2009, South Coast rockers The Afterparty have recently added the finishing touches to their debut studio offering ‘Restless’ with producer Matty O’Grady (You Me At Six, Deaf Havana). The four track EP will feature lead track ‘Sticks & Stones’ and new single ‘So Much To Say’, and is scheduled for release on July 2nd 2012 via Engineer Records. Vocalist Nic Matthews revealed that ‘Restless’ is “a record we’re all…
The opening to “Something Pretty Something True” is in the same vein as acts like Fiona Apple and Joan Osbourne, but there is a less bland instrumentation that is flittering behind Silver’s vocals. For this opening track (the title track), there is a heavy Hispanic influence to the track that gives the track a certain international flair. “Flame I Should Fear” has much less of this innovative sound, and leaves…
BESATT, although being still underrated In their home country, conquers South America with this unique style since years – which is proved by numerous concerts and releases on that continent. With their 8th and best up-to-date album, BESATT attacks with blasphemous power of the Beast spitting satanic venom and slaying anything that includes even a small element of sanctity. “TEMPUS APOCALYPSIS” was recorded and produced in Hertz Studio (Bialystok, PL)…
One of the first acts to be signed onto the Tiberius Records roster that does not personally involve one of the Tiberius owners, Silo the Huskie have a lot to prove with their Tiberius debut, Sons of Columbus. Sounding at times like Jawbreaker, Smoking Popes, Soul Asylum and even early R.E.M., Silo the Huskie plays well with the newly reenergized Tired Anchor-era Thistle. Having the average tempo of any Sons…
In on It begins with Good Kiss (From A Bad Girl), a track that touches upon a wide array of styles and genre. In the course of the first minute, hints of Bauhaus, Tom Waits, and even Soft Cell can be heard. Marc James is able to make this track germane to current listeners due to intelligent instrumentation and an always-catchy arrangement. Out of Touch keeps fans listening, with a…
The drums that start off “Rebirth of the Temple” are tied to a heavy, deep brand of chanting. Imagine if the soundtrack from Xena was mixed with a tribal beat and the Benedictine monks. That is how the opening selection “Call To Arms” starts off the disc, before Silent Civilian starts off the meaty side of the disc with “Funeral”. The track is a blend of classic metal a la…
After 4 years of waiting, on the 6th of July, new album of Greek black metal act NAER MATARON will be released! “ΖΗΤΩ Ο ΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ ” (LONG LIVE DEATH) brings chaos, destruction and sonic feast praising DEATH! The album was produced in Hertz Studio, cover art was designed by George “Grin” Prasinis and whole layout by MENTALPORN.COM. The album will be released as digipak and black 180-gram vinyl with gatefold…
The title track for “Takk” is very atmospheric, using synthesizers to really add a bold, brooding body to the beginning of this disc. Incorporating melodic, almost-instrumental sounding vocals to “Glosoli”, the most curious thing about Sigur Ros on the track is that everything sounds so experimental but the track is truly beholden to typical tempo and progression (in terms of arrangement). Sigur Ros puts forth a challenging face but really…
Powerhouse singer Miss Connie Mitchell and producer extraordinaire Black Angus McDonald make their debut at the Electric Brixton following on from the release of their third Album, From Here To Anywhere. (MTV US called it “An incredible third original studio effort… nothing short of a cross-generational dance floor smorgasbord.) Connie and Angus started making beautiful music together in 2004. As their reputation grew, Sneaky Sound System started releasing singles (including…
Summer Camp are excited to debut “Always” the title-track from their forthcoming EP Always. The EP will be released on July 10th in North America (7/9 in UK/Europe) by Apricot Recording Company/ Moshi Moshi Records. “Always” is the second song to see daylight from the EP, following the release of the single “Life” earlier this month. Hear both songs below. Listen to “Always” on SoundCloud Always EP – tracklisting 1. …