World War IX call back to the halcyon days of The Ramones and Rollins-era Black Flag. Hints of The Stranglers and The Dickies can be heard during the band’s new single, Have You Seen My Drugs?. Punchy beats, a keen sense of humor, and a tight instrumentation make this into one of the favorite tracks that we’ve heard so far this year. Have You Seen My Drugs? starts and ends in 100…
Carmel Paradise’s “Turn Me On” is a vocal-heavy pop track that immediately draws fans in. Hints of synth do well to imbue Turn me On with a certain dark allure. The collection of insistent vocals, contemplative arrangements, and a production that allows each element to shine alone or as a cohesive effort.
Lawless Hearts’s All My Troubles is a hard rock track that builds upon the tradition of performers like Joan Jett and Vixen. Sizzling guitar work and booming drums give the single a larger than life feel. The biggest surprise on All My Troubles is how much the guitars/drums contribute to the overall narrative.
Mothertapes’ “Do Make Say” is a genre-crossing effort that refreshes the New Wave sound of the eighties with sweeping electronic compositions, huge drums, and a passionate set of vocals. Do Make Say ebbs and flows, keeping things light and airy even as the compositions have considerable depth. The track concludes at the five-minute mark but the feel of Do Make Say is so much larger. Mothertapes create a wholly-engrossing single…
Dumpstaphunk’s Justice is a track that benefits from the inclusion of Trombone Shorty to the mix. Hints of funk, soul, and electronic music can all be heard. There is a timeless sound to Justice that will stick with listeners long after the effort ceases to play. A lush instrumentation gives Justice a Billy Preston-infused sound that is bubbly, bold, and catchy. The ropy bass line that plays at the bottom of…
The first thing that listeners will hear on L.A. Nights is an assertive, ropy bass line that plays at the bottom of the track. The taut instrumentation makes for a solid backdrop upon which Ayhan’s vocals can shine. The track defies genre conventions well, but listeners can hear odes to seventies easy-listening rock, the supersonic vocals of the Bee Gees. Sahin does well in tying together the last three decades…
Menace Beach are back with a sophomore record that, like their 2015 debut, channels distorted ’90s alt rock and sloppy ’60s garage sounds. While their aloof coolness remain, the sounds on this outing have less pop hooks (“Darlatoid” and “Suck it Out” notwithstanding ) and move along at a faster, more raw pace than previous efforts.
Jim Bohn’s Bound for Judah begins with All the Broken Pieces (Will Be Put Back Together Again), a track which immediately kicks things into high gear. Strong horns, female vocals, and sizzling guitars set the stage for the tracks that are to follow. Kept on the edges of their seats with these instrumental inclusion, fans will eagerly devour Bohn’s vocals.
The British feminist punk trio Skinny Girl Diet are a reminder that the Riotgrrl movement, though a little more under the radar, is still alive in bands across the globe. Their first full length, the scorching, distortion-layered “Heavy Flow” is one hell of a statement from the band.
They may be Boston-based, but Clem Snide was still one of the best alt country bands going throughout the ‘90s and early aughts. Their debut, “You Were a Diamond,” which came out in 1998, is finally getting a proper vinyl re-release courtesy of Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records. This is one of those albums that was just begging for the warmth of vinyl; It’s a stripped down, minimalist sound…
D I A M O N D S an indie rock band based out of Los Angeles, they recently released their debut single “My White Diamond” and we cannot stop playing it. D I A M O N D S has a late 80’s electronic sound but the melodies and rhythms the band provide are fresh.
Anatomy of a Crush is the first track on Guy Grogan’s Glitter in the Gears, blending together hints of early Goo Goo Dolls, The Minutemen, and Polaris. The momentum which Grogan immediately imbues Glitter in the Gears with is a hallmark that will continue throughout the entirety of the album, a move that keeps listeners firmly planted on the edges of their seats. The acoustic opening of Stick the Landing is…
Panic In Eden are an up and coming rock band from Los Angeles, they just released their new album “In The Company Of Vultures”, along with the single “Out For Blood”. Panic In Eden has hard hitting rock sound with deep bass lines and heavy guitar riffs, it reminds you of industry favorites such as Queens of The Stone Age with a grunge rock splash.
On Falling To Earth, the initial track off of Satellite Gods’ new album Marker 7-58, the band is able to craft a hooky sort of alternative rock that elicits comparisons to performers including Fuel, New Radicals and Harvey Danger. Brendan’s lead vocals shine during Saturday Night in Riga, a track that has Satellite Gods shift their style for a richer, emotive, story-driven sound; bits of Dave Matthews and Billy Joel…
TruVez’s “Amerika’s NightMare” features Akevius. This cut is the real deal; there are two distinct flows that unite to make for a track that is heady while hooky. TruVez’s sound is an interesting one, with his output adopting hints of Ludacris and Jay-Z.
Detroit’s own Stretch Money has released“Where Was You At”. The single is hard-hitting, blending together street-wise vocals with a remorseless beat that heightens the danger felt in the track. The single’s message is clear – “where’s the support” – and is something that anyone listening in can emphasize with. Stretch Money’s flow during Where Was You At is top-notch, using the titular phrase to provide repetition and a hook that will…
Cat Clyde’s Mama Said is a dreamy indie-pop track that shines brightly. Cat’s inimitable, unique voice rises and falls to add further depth to the reverb-heavy, surf rock-influenced guitars that play at the single’s low end.
At only 19 years old, Eli Raybon has released a catchy single called “Unsymmetrical”. Raybon’s style blends together pop melodies with hard rock riffs; the sound of the single is modern with an 80’s pop twist. His vocals a reminiscent of indie-rock favorites like the Strokes or Franz Ferdinand.
DareDevil Squadron immediately hit listeners over their heads with a furious bit of heavy metal. Shredding guitars work well with a set of vocals that build off of the Ronnie James Dio / Dave Mustaine style. Guitar/drum breakdowns insert a bit of sludgy metal sound into Last Resort.
Germain’s Propheteer is an intricate rap track that builds off of the work of performers like Wiz Khalifa, Lecrae, and Kanye West. A boombing beat will tattoo itself deep into listeners’ minds, while Germain’s flow pulls double duty in furthering the melody of the track.