The War On Drugs are on a roll! The first legs of their US and European tours in support of the widely raved about Slave Ambient (“Best New Music” on Pitchfork, “Best of 2011 So Far” on SPIN.com) have been exceptional, and they’ll be hitting the road again in October & November for another month of touring the United States. Things are going so well for these guys, they’ve decided…
After Conan O’Brien was jerked around by the powers that be, I feel that ey really let it affect eir. This is seen especially in eir current show; I believe that there has been a certain spark that is not usually present there. However, Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop is a release that showcases that speak and shows it to individuals that may not be too familiar with O’Brien’s earlier work…
Immediately reminiscent of The Postal Service, Phiadelphia’s Run Away From The Humans have created a strong sound and style for themselves only after a year of exist. Everything is sequenced and the first track “Wake Up, Wake Up” gains its energy for dreamy vocals and Aeffect-style synthesizers. The synthesizers, played by also-vocalist Jason, are crisp and clean, sounding at times like “Good News-era Modest Mouse, incorporated with a life act.…
“Kimmi in a Rice Field” marks the second video off Twin Sister’s debut full-length, In Heaven, which is out this week. Following up on their playful affair “Bad Street,” the band collaborated again with Dan Devine, this time with drummer Bryan Ujueta co-directing. The video is a powerful visual counterpart to the atmospheric track, based on a ghost story created and written by Andrea Estella (lead singer). The band have…
In conjunction with the new and timely Burns & Poe single release, “I Need A Job,” (Blue Steel Records), Keith Burns and Michelle Poe have announced the launch of the corresponding I Need A Job Contest. Addressing one of America’s hottest topics, both politically and socially, Burns & Poe are encouraging one and all to share their personal story or sentiment surrounding the unemployment issue. Contestants are asked to create…
Austin/Brooklyn-ite, Leslie Sisson, is the lead female vocalist and guitarist in The Wooden Birds while also moonlighting in Matt Pond PA. Her past includes time in Western Keys, Black Lipstick, Pavo, The Mona Jane, Tanworth-in-Arden, and Aero Wave on guitar, bass, keys, cello, flute, voice, as well as guest performances for American Analog Set, Windsor for the Derby, Rhythm of Black Lines, Mark Gardener of Ride, and recent cameos with…
Old Forester is one of those whiskies that are likely on the shelves at every single liquor store and a great deal of the bars that are currently operating. However, there is not the same publicity present for this spirit that there is for Jack Daniels or other similar types of efforts. What results is a spirit that is simply fantastic but that few actually order when they are looking…
Trying to come up with a shoegazer type of rock band that doesn’t sound pretentious or over-the-top is a hard thing to do, especially since the rapid rise of popularity of The Flaming Lips as a viable band with no talent. The Rum Diary does have talent, no questions about it, but there is virtually no soul behind this music. Take “Killed By The Cowboy President”, for example, a track…
This new Tim Hecker release is composed of sketch pieces recorded in 2010 in preparation for what would become the Ravedeath, 1972 album. All of the compositions are piano driven and minimal in nature. This is not a new Tim Hecker album, but rather a peek behind the curtains into the working process. That these pieces stand on their own as compelling soundworks is a testament to the fact that…
ATROCIOUS is a gruesome, mind-bending thriller shot in a style reminiscent of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. The horror film excerpts found footage from a film reel recovered by Spanish police, documenting a family of five discovering the truth behind a dangerous urban legend. The 37 hours of found footage follow Cristian and July Quintanilla passing time at their summer home by investigating a terrifying and mysterious urban legend. As their…
Adventure Time may just be the most fresh show that Cartoon Network has aired since Ed, Edd, ‘n Eddy was still in production. The sheer amount of pop-culture references present, tied to a fantasy backdrop, makes this into a show that can be enjoyed no matter whether the watcher is 8, 28, or 58. Along with Regular Show, Adventure Time is part of a major resurgence for Cartoon Network. My…
After creating buzz all over the world with her cover of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”, The Commander In Chief will record her first album with legendary Pantera engineer/producer Sterling Winfield (Pantera, Damageplan, Hatebreed, HELLYEAH). Winfield also mixed her version of Paranoid. The recording will take place in two steps, with the first five songs being recorded in early December 2011 at world-class residential studio “The Chairworks” in West Yorkshire, UK. The…
This is Amos Gitai’s magnum opus. The film is an intricate look into the filmmaker and into Israel; the two entities have many things in common. The disconnect between Israel and the United States is shown well here, with the ancient tied together with the ultra-modern. Gitai’s work in imbuing eir home country with a human vitality will foster an increased level of interest for many in Israel. However, Carmel…
The transformative power of music is something that really transcends boundaries, whether human created or naturally made. This means that what Astrid Williamson does on Pulse is something that speaks more generally to humanity. The specific genre and styles broached during this album do not matter as much as eir honest and earnest approach, something that is refined over the course of the album’s 10 tracks. What results with this…
There have been two distinct forms of country music that have been splitting apart over the course of the last 15 or 20 years. While the line between pop and country has been blurred by a great many of the current wave of country artists, there are still a number of practitioners of the older country and western style. Of current artists, there are not many that attempt to join…
The amount of different reasons to try the raw food diet are legion – whether it be a number of famous figures extolling the diet’s virtues or from an individual’s concern about their lifestyle, there are some good reasons why individuals check out this diet. However, I believe that there are not too many in the way of different resources that collect the sheer amount of information that The Complete…
There are a number of different multi-use tools that are currently on the market. However, the Gerber Fit is one of the best. This is due to its quality, number of tools, and sheer versatility. Where I believe that other multi-tools on the market are a little on the flimsy side, the Gerber Fit’s screwdriver, tweezers, scissors, pick, and knife all are constructed of thick metal. This ensures that no…
Marley’s Mellow Mood is a beverage that is rare to find. Where there are a number of different products that are on the market that contain a similar constellation of compounds to Marley’s Mellow Mood, all of them just disappoint in the taste department. Furthermore, these drinks all have a high amount of calories and carbohydrates. Marley’s Mellow Mood avoids both of these icebergs and comes out with one of…
The amount of different diet and fat burning pills that are present at any one time on the fitness market will confuse anyone, and the differential effects that each have makes it hard to truly find the right supplement. However, I believe that SciVation’s Dialene 4X is one of the few fat burning pills that work, and will work no matter one’s age, level of health, or strictness of diet.…
Metal movies always become cult movies, but some of them are pretty poor. However, Hesher is a film that would gain a cult status no matter what sub-groups followed it. This is because the storytelling and the acting with bring viewers in, while the crisp presentation of the Blu-Ray here will have them agog at what they see on their TV. For those that are unfamiliar with the film, Hesher…