Switches – We Are Switches / 2007 Interscope / 4 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/weareswitches / “Lay Down The Law†is the first track on this EP, and it shows The Switches as a band that can create an angular rock sound that does not sound like the style crafted by many of the other bands in that style. This is done by incorporating a softer, more dreamy type of style –…
Following the release of their fifth studio masterpiece, “The Black And White Album,†and a brief successive tour taunting the masses, singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, drummer Chris Dangerous, bassist Dr. Matt Destruction, guitarists Nicholaus Arson and Vigilante Carlstroem are launching a stateside tour in honor of their last stupendously spectacular sold-out spree. Unrivaled perfection awaits those lucky enough to attend— February 19th in Los Angeles through March 8th in Washington,…
Alana Amram & The Rough Gems – S/T / 2007 Zealous / 5 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/alanaamram / http://www.zealousrecords.com / “Blackest Crow†is the first track on this EP, and it showcases Amram’s work as something that can fit in well with the work of Alison Krauss or even the re-imagined folk genre of the current period (which has adherents including Akron/Family and Devendra Banhart). There seems to be a slight…
     Explosive, Oakland, CA quartet SAVIOURS will unleash its sophomore full-length album Into Abaddon on January 22 via Kemado Records.  Known for its refreshing take on the classic metal of decades past, SAVIOURS are becoming frontrunners in today’s thriving heavy metal underworld, rapidly garnering international attention as one of the best heavy bands active today.
Pawbox – S/T / 2007 Self / 5 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/pawbox / Pawbox does not immediately shoehorn themselves into a specific style of music. Sure, they play rock music, but it is hard to tell where exactly they get their influences during a track like â€O.O.T.N.I.F.â€. There are hints of HIM, Velvet Underground, and even the Stone Temple Pilots, but these only describe a fraction of the band’s sound. The…
Philly’s favorite sons Man Man are readying a three week tour, scheduled to kick off on March 4th in Baltimore MD. Famous for kinetic live shows that include playing everything from apples to zithers are set to release their much anticipated Anti- Records debut Rabbit Habits on April 8th.
If you want to know how I got this zine, I would say to read the review of #3. This zine is just as fabulous as the last issue, with a little bit different choice of topics. I am really curious about the writer named Mike Hideous. I’m guessing it’s a different Myke Hideous than the one that sang with the Misfits for the grand total of about three weeks,…
The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. Features Production by Vitamin D, Jake One, and Others Successful and independent emcee, producer, and business man, One Be Lo will be releasing his second solo album, The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. via his own Subterraneous Records and Integral Music Group on February 19th, 2008. The R.E.B.I.R.T.H., (Real Emcees Bring Intelligent Rhymes to Hip-Hop) is the end product of growth and the obstacles he’s overcome since the release of his last…
Tom Savell – You Just Gotta Love It / 2007 Still Fumin’ / 8 Tracks / http://www.stillfumin.com / “Simple Game†blends together Karl Clang and David Bowie into something that is interesting to say the least. The arrangements present during the disc are solid, but it feels like the vocals are mixed a little too loud for comfort on this track. If another producer could come through and let the…
 Tiger Army has been rejoined by stand-up bass player Geoff Kresge, a name that will be no doubt familiar to the Tiger Army faithful. Kresge performed all live shows with the band from 1999 to mid-2004 and appeared on Tiger Army’s second and third studio albums, as well as providing back-up vocals on the band’s new album, Music From Regions Beyond. Jeff Roffredo has left the band on good terms…
Autonomadic – The Missionary / 2007 Bleeding Ear / 7 Tracks / http://www.autonomadic.com / Apparently we had a chance to review a song from Autonomadic (“Pig Tailsâ€) when we reviewed the “Punks and Pints†compilation a few years back. The review given then is still accurate – Autonomadic play a style of punk music that is catchy as all get out. Unlike their “Pig Tailsâ€, it seems as if the…
 Atmosphere, the prolific duo of Slug and producer Ant are set to release their highly anticipated sixth official studio album When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold on April 22nd 2008. The acclaimed Minneapolis-based hip hop group have performed over 2000 shows and sold well over 1 million units worldwide as the flagship artist on the independent label Rhymesayers Entertainment.
Eat Sugar – S/T EP / 2007 Self / 4 Tracks / http://www.eatsugarmusic.com / The noisy, spastic type of electro rock that starts off this EP in “I’m A Carrier†virtually ensures that Eat Sugar will be what is blasted out at any indie club throughout the United States. The synthesizers, clap lines, and coke-addled speed of the track will whip anyone that is listening in into a frenzy, while…
 More dates were just announced for DROID on the Guerilla Carnival Tour with Ill Nino. The tours line up has been changed as well. The shows will no longer see support coming from Bury Your Dead or Soil, both of whom had to unfortunately drop off the tour. The band Ekotren have been added in their place.
This zine really reminds me of the ones that I grew up with, with no care for politics, but a whole lot of charisma and youthful exuberance that sadly, has departed from zinedom only to be replaced by the twin towers of incredibly depressing emo writing and full-blown frat-boy assholedom. Dunk and Piss just has its own flow, with a ton of cut out pictures from various comic books and…
Fans Who Purchase Live Album In Its First Week Of Release Will Gain Access To Pre-Sale Tickets For Platinum-Selling Rockers’ Six Week Spring Headlining Tour, Which Begins March 7th Yellowcard’s Third Album, Paper Walls, Out Now  Breakout alt-rockers Yellowcard will release a digital live album, entitled Live From Las Vegas At the Palms, exclusively though the iTunes Store beginning January 22nd, 2008. Recorded in October at Las Vegas’ renowned…
Lek – Giant World Knowledge Bliss Control / 2007 Self / 12 Tracks / http://www.lekmusic.com / “Quixotic†shows a very trippy style of sixties music as the one played by Lek. What does not work for the band during this 7 minute track is the spoken lyrics that go beyond mysterious and into full blown parody by the second or third minute of the track. It behooves individuals to skip…
Available February 26 on Latin Thug Records Latin Thug Records presents the debut album from ground-breaking artist SOLOW13. The album will be available in stores and online February 26, 2008, produced by SOLOW13 and Aaron (T-Bone) Boatright. The project represents a lifetime of work and experiences from this breaking talent. Legendary mastering engineer Brian “Big Bass” Gardner (Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Linkin Park, Madonna) mastered the project to create what…
Slug #229 / Free / 1:156 / 84M / http://www.slugmag.com / Slug feels heavier with this issue. The amount of advertisements that is in this issue feels a little lighter, as well. This time, there are a number of strong pieces. Of particular note this time has to be the piece that features an interview with such low-budget movie luminaries as George Romero, Lloyd Kaufman and Bruce La Bruce. This…
“My Morning Jacket has become America’s best live rock ‘n’ roll band.†Magnet, Fall 2007 On Friday June 20th, My Morning Jacket will, for the first time, headline a performance at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.  An Evening With My Morning Jacket promises to be both a satisfying experience for the long-time fan and certainly a comprehensive introduction to the uninitiated.   This is their only scheduled area appearance, and…