Mike Watt has always been a musician’s musician. The go-to-guy who’s always namechecked in discussions on old punk rock influences. Thanks to his groundbreaking work with the Minutemen, fIREHOSE and eventual his solo stuff, he managed to built up a strong cult following as well, but he never really got much attention in the mainstream until his first solo album, the stellar Ball Hog or Tugboat in 1995.
At this point, you pretty much know what you’re getting with a NOFX record. If not, happy belated birthday! I’m assuming you were just born.
Chris Roach blends cutting-edge comedy with a turn in Kevin James’ latest comedy, Kevin Can Wait. Viewers of this CBS comedy will know Roach’s antics at Mott, but long-time fans of Long Island comedy will already know Chris Roach’s inimitable style. We were lucky enough to first hear Roach’s take on a variety of different topics during his late-October appearance on Live From The Compound, hosted by Anthony Cumia. Roach’s versatility…
Unkle Adams’ The 90s comes forth with a rap flow that links together Macklemore, mc chris, and 3rd Bass. A laid-back song, The 90s is able to smartly bring together nostalgia with a current, contemporary sound. Unkle Adams takes listeners on a journey with this single, an effort that will have fans searching up all the events, pop-culture references, and other allusions that Unkle Adams makes here.
Uncle Frank is able to create a retro-heavy dance track in Fountains that builds off of the funk of the 1970s and the electronic music styles of the 1980s to make something fun and wholly unique. Fountains has the echoing guitars, immaculate production and oozing sexuality of an earlier era; bits of Prince, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Flock of Seagulls can all be heard here. Fountains is a sly,…
Alessandro Coli’s Flames is a powerful pop track that has just enough of an edge to stand out in bold opposition to much of the music currently garnering radio play.
Sky Katz is the rare example of a rapper that can be young and come forth with a taut flow that easily tattoos itself deep into the mind and hearts of listeners. The production of her original track Party Ain’t A Party provides ample highlighting for Katz’s confident lyrics.
The instrumental-heavy opening to “Choke” showcases the technical skill of HEIRSOUND. Stakes are raised when the back and forth of the band’s vocals interact with a deliberate arrangement to make for something dark, brooding, and tremendously emotive.
Mummy Dance by CHARACULA! is an eclectic track. Hints of Alice Cooper, Machine Head, and HIM represent the blueprint upon which CHARACULA! builds upon. Heavy chugging guitars, intense drums, and a supersonic set of vocals make for an authoritative, brutal single.
The new single by LEL Brothas, “Bad Guy”, is a tremendously hard-hitting track that will burn its way into fans’ brains. Hints of horrorcore (e.g. Tech N9ne, Gravediggaz) can be heard here, but the beauty of Bad Guy has to be the inimitable vocal styles of the act.
HEIRSOUND create an engrossing indie / alternative rock-infused track that combines twinkling instrumentation and a pensive, thoughtful feeling. A lush production allows the dual vocals, drums, synths, and guitars ample opportunity to shine singularly and as a combination of elements.
A powerful track, Nicky Romero’s Take Me utilizes the vocals of Colton Avery to tattoo a melody deep into listeners’ souls. The instrumental / vocal dynamic that is crafted here pushes each to an entirely higher plateau. Part of the beauty of Take Me has to be the diversity of approaches that Romero utilizes.
A number of breweries are trying their hand at finding the perfect balance between a low ABV and a strong hop forward flavor profile. Pyramid has offered up their Ditto, a session IPA which hits a number of the marks to make for a solid effort. There is a fair amount of floral and piney hop notes that are immediately present after the initial sip. A wheaty, grain-heavy backbone allows these more oily…
Q: What’s your story? How’d you fall into rap? A: I’ve always been making some form of music. I used to be in a rock band called Phoenix when I was younger. I played the guitar. From there it turned into making EDM styled beats. I started rapping when my brother passed away. He used to rap too, so I guess you can say when he passed I sort of…
Over 16 years and across more than half a dozen albums, the Dublin-based Bell X1 has seen their numbers swell and fall – they are now a tight trio; they’ve dabbled in folk pop and synth rock and have ended up somewhere in between; and with their latest, “Arms,” they have attempted to reset all expectations and in doing so have turned in one of their most consistently satisfying albums…
Milana May’s “Crazy Boy” is a haunting effort that immediately draws fans in through a blending of atmospheric and expansive instrumentation. A pop-forward set of vocals do two distinct things over the course of the track’s duration. These vocals add considerably to the harmonies achieved with the song, along with providing a distinct counterpoint to the instrumental arrangement.
Debris is an electronic-infused pop track that links together ambient, trip-hop, and glitch into a song that both bolsters the vocals while giving music aficiandos something to sink their teeth into. The instrumentation that plays at the back of Debris is impressive, rising and falling to keep listeners firmly on the edges of their seat.
As a long time Slayer fan I can tell you that purchasing a ticket upgrade and attending their sound check was about the second coolest thing I have ever experienced in my concert going history behind going on the Motörhead Motörboat cruise last year. I had some reservations after spending what I did for the upgrade as leading up to the show I saw videos from other stops on…
Roses for Ghosts’ “Beauty’s Sweetest Dress” is a power-pop track that builds off of the framework initially laid down by Fall Out Boy, Yellowcard, and Bowling For Soup. The band spins in a bold new direction with an electronic-infused double step, giving Beauty’s Sweetest Dress a considerable boost.
Pola Bair’s No Chasers comes forth with hard-hitting backing instrumentation and a raw flow. The track builds off of trap and Hypnotize Minds cuts, while the front-forward rap flow stands in bold contrast to the twinkling, electronic-tinged beat.