On Diethanasia, Aftermath is able to refine the thrash metal style of M.O.D. and early Metallica into an art form. Every part of the recording – insistent drums, sizzling guitars, and a Ministry-infused set of vocals – contribute to something great. The production of Diethanasia solves a number of the issues from the first generation of thrash metal; everything is audible and is separate enough to allow for listeners to…
On Focus, Aspect Zavi is able to craft a rap track that builds upon the frame hung by Migos and Tk N Cash. Haunting vocals that come into the mix just before the two-minute mark imbue Focus with a frenetic energy that Aspect Zavi is able to ride out until the last seconds of the single. The continually shifting sound of this cut ensures that listeners are as amped up…
Carsie Blanton has this chameleon-like ability to be just about everything to everyone. On her latest LP, she flaunts a distinctly original sound and style that can be flirty and dirty on one track (“That Boy”) and just minutes later turn out a beautifully-political and enlightened reflection (“American Kid”) and then transition to a sweet love song (“Harbor). Such is the charm of a Blanton record. Slipping in and out…
Less than a minute into Robert Ellis’ latest, brilliant effort, Texas Piano Man, you can’t shake the feeling that he’s channeling the ghost of Harry Nilsson. Who else besides Ellis, but possibly Nilsson, could manage to take the chorus “I’m fucking crazy” and turn it into a wedding-caliber love song (“Fucking Crazy”)? And that’s just one song in. Ellis puts down the guitar on his fifth LP and sits behind…
If making psychedelic music relevant in 2019 sounds like an impossible dream, you need to make a point of listening to Little King and the Salamander (demos), the latest release from the one and only Merrymaker’s Orchestrina. In 14 multifaceted songs that blend smooth folk melodies with gargantuan space rock grooves, the trio bring the violent guitar experimentation of the 60’s into the 21st century, utilizing every modern weapon available to them…
Those who crave the delicate nuances of the Canadian wilderness but don’t want to venture out into the cold for themselves would do well to check out the new video for Stephanie Rose’s single “Luxury,” a prime cut from her EP Sprout, out now everywhere country music can be streamed. “Luxury” is a song about enjoying the rural treasures that come with a day marked by little more than a trip…
Too Young is our introductory look into Alli Haber’s music. The track is a very personal and impacting effort. With vocals drawing from Paramore and Meghan Trainor, Alli is able to shine on top of a synth-infused backing beat. With touches of electronic and R&B present on Too Young, Haber is able to reach a considerable follower base. The more intimate sound of Too Young allows Alli ample opportunity to…
Holding Out is a track that effortlessly links together rap and rock music. Maurico’s rap flow intersperses a gritty reality that acts as the diametric opposite to the more hopeful, electronic, and ethereal-tinged sound laid down by My Silent Bravery. The dichotomy between acoustic guitars and fuzzy electronica that plays out beautifully at the 2:55 mark. The booming sound of MSB during the last thirty seconds of Holding Out indelibly…
The Fairwood Brothers are able to make a trippy rock / visual composition that brings together CKY, Monster Magnet, Frank Zappa, and the Butthole Surfers. A slightly-gritty set of vocals acts as a solid counterpoint to the sizzling dubstep-infused synths on the track. While the track eats, shoots, and leaves within 3:30, there are just so many different twists and turns that listeners will continually find something new ten or…
Dario Distasi is able to make a wholly unique track in Stuck In Here. Echoing vocals, deliberate drums, and a chunky bass combine to make for something that could easily slot onto rock rotation or radio stations. Dario’s vocals on Stuck In Here come forth from the mid-oughts emo and post-hardcore scenes; there are traditional harmonies here but they are infused with a bit of punky weariness. Stuck In Here…
MariBased1 has went back to 1990s California rap with his new cut, Bouncin. The track has a lush backing beat that builds off of the Dr. Dre-styled production of The Chronic, while MariBased1’s flow brings in hints of Too Short and E-40. Bouncin is an infectious track, tattooing its melodies and lyrics deep into the psyche of listeners. Focused, with a visual style that is tremendously reverent of Ice Cube,…
Michael Bright’s Heartache is a sultry, chill R&B track that immediately will impress fans with alluring instrumentation, charismatic vox, and a production that is on par with radio fare. With stylistic nods to Ne-yo, Chris Brown, and Jason DeRulo, Bright is able to tie the past to the present. With even a brief tinge of the New Jack Swing style of Jodeci / Boys II Men and gospel interspersed here,…
Cleo Alexandra takes the Men at Work classic Who Can It Be Now and add a bit of hard rock, industrial, and gothic flair into the mix. The darkly emotive vocals laid down here by Cleo are matched well through a feature by Rick Springfield. While enough of the spirit of the original is contained in this re-tooling, the Fear Factory meets Linkin Park sequencing spins this off in a…
On their new single Big City Boys, Broncho is able to make a hauntingly beautiful alt-rock track. Replete with synths and a 1980s new wave-inspired demeanor, Big City Boys stands boldly above the rest of the college rock fare currently being released. What is perhaps the strongest side of Big City Boys has to be the vocals; pulling double duty in providing listeners with a narrative as well as adding…
Mystery Girl is an introspective, beautiful rock track that builds off of the influences of the Counting Crows and Audioslave. Charisma drips off of the vocals on SPT’s newest, while audiophiles will be able to continue to find new twists and turns even five or ten plays in. On John Doe, Shadow Puppet Theatre adds a bit of funk and Red Hot Chili Pepper rock/funk styles. With just a bit…
For his 10th studio album, Seth Walker dug deep inside for inspiration and managed to turn in one of his most personally vulnerable efforts to date. Covering both love and loss, lyrically he covers some of the most honest territory yet in his two-decade long career. The album kicks off with two soulful tracks, “Giving It All Away and the more funked up “Inside,” both solid tracks, but not nearly…
Need It Tonight is a robust track that shows the raw passion and charisma of Ron Louis Smith. On his latest single, Smith is able to pull double duty in adding further complexity to the instrumentation while setting up the story of close comfort that is told here. We’re in love with the layered approach that is taken on Smith’s current cut, which ensures that listeners will be able to…
Although it took Jonny Polonsky more than two decades to put out five records, the LA, by way of Chicago, cult pop artist apparently harbored a bunch of songs none of us were ever privy to. As a follow up to last year’s Fresh Flesh, Polonsky is offering up 21 rarities for his patient fans and it appears the wait was worth it. This set spans the full 22 years…
Pezzettino – Resin, is an artistic album by an equally artistic trio of musicians led by Margret Stutt (who goes by Pezzettino). Resin in the 11th album by this interesting group now based out of Oakland, CA, but came from as far as NY and Wisconsin to ultimately bring it to the west coast. Stutt plays classical piano, sings and plays accordion, with Carly Bond (guitars, synth, clarinet, vocals), and…
On Clayt’s new single Things I Gotta Say, a bassy, intricate instrumentation creates a proper backdrop for the flow. Clayt is able to whip in hints of J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar while whipping in bits of B.O.B.; Things I Gotta Say is able to reach the next higher plateau through a confident flow and charismatic lines that resound loudly with listeners long after the single ceases to play. We’ll…