Space is the opening effort on Oziris’ Spore and it will immediately draw listeners in through otherworldly percussion. This initial arrangement will tattoo itself melodies deep into listeners’ minds, while a clap track provides the counterpoint for the inimitable flow of Oziris.
They may be less than two years removed from their last record, Sunswimmer, but the Athens, GA band New Madrid have grown substantially confidant in that time. Their latest, magnetkingmagnetqueen, is a far more ambitious record, more experimental and it works – most of the time. The vocals may get a little lost in the swirl of guitars, (especially on a song like the sonically brutal “Shades”) but the fact…
Bright Side of the Line is the latest release from San Diego’s Sometimes Julie; the album starts out with the polished and catchy introduction, Emily. The track does a tremendous job at inviting listeners in, while the disc’s second effort, the titular Bright Side of the Line, is an impressive effort. The impassioned vocals link up with sizzling guitar work and on-point drumming to make for something that will stick…
Bullet, the latest effort from Heiress to Atlas includes bits of Icona Pop and La Roux. The rich vocals provide a theme for the track as well as unite with the percussion and synths to create something that will tattoo its melodies deep into the psyche of listeners. The slight separation between the time signatures of the instrumentation and the vocals keeps things interesting from the beginning to the end.…
Can’t Stop Loving You, the latest single by London’s Beckwith, is a touching composition that soars due to strong vocals and a production that does tremendous work utilizing instrumentation, vocals, and the space in-between them. Touches and improves upon the framework of artists like Ed Sheeran and John Mayer, with hints of an earlier alt-rock tradition (Counting Crows, Soul Asylum) that are peppered through the single. With Can’t Stop Loving…
Emotional Response has been churning out a slew of great 7”s lately, spotlighted some impressive, but oft overlooked indie pop and power pop bands. The three-song split from Linton + Stewart and The Aislers Set is more proof that their streak continues.
Alternate Ending is an act from Tiffin, Ohio that is actively working on the creation of their new album. We had a few minutes to talk with Matt (guitars), Jake (bass and vocals), Dustin (lead vocals), and Jayson (drums) and get a brief insight into a band that is ready to break it big.
“Signal Drift,” the first song on Aloha’s new record (out 6 May 2016) is arguably the most futuristic-sounding song, this side of the year 2050. The sonically quirky instrumentation create an automated piece of efficient pop perfection one would expect to hear over loudspeakers in a Jetson’s-era shopping mall. If sounds had hues, this would be bright technicolor. While the record is a huge overall nod to prog rock, there…
The actor slash musician route has always been one littered with mediocrity. Jon Patrick Walker just may be one of the few exceptions.
Thanks to a little help from current go-to producer Brendan Benson, Nashville’s MODOC (by way of Indiana) have put together their best album yet. Following up last year’s live record and 2013’s decent self-titled debut, both hinted at greater things and the payoff is definitely all over “Automatic And Voluntary.”
For the past few years, Philadelphia has been making a name for itself by churning out unpretentious punk rock, from Beach Slang and The Menzingers to Cayetana and Sheer Mag; it’s hard to escape distorted guitars in the City of Brotherly Love. Despite sharing a zip code with these bands, the four-piece Rosu Lup have opted for a very non-punk rock sound.
Pontus released his video for Felix at the end of March. Taking a different tack to the visual element, Pontus has decided to showcase the incredible depth and complexity of the constituent guitar work. Quick shots do well to keep an eye on the featured instrument during the composition, while close-up shots of the guitar riffs are essential to hammer home every lick that is laid down. Giving each side…
Erase comes forth with a sultry and dark sound that will tattoo its melodies deep into the minds and hearts of anyone that listens in. Hints of The Tea Party, Placebo, and Nine Each Nails can all be discerned with this introductory track. Never Let You In immediately hits listeners with catchy harmonies and vocals that will strike at a listener’s core. The distortion that weaves its way through the…
Light of Dawning is the first track on Sayama’s Yoga Meditations, and it creates a soundscape that immediately treads the border between timeless flute work and atmospheric recreations, a chiaroscuro of light and dark elements. Contemplating Prasada showcases Sayama’s steady hand. There are a number of different movements that are contained within this nine-minute composition but they all contribute to a cohesive and unified effort.
There have been countless articles and rock bios written about all of the British bands that were formed after witnessing the Sex Pistols live. Add Texas punk hardcore band The Dicks to the list. Garry Floyd saw the band at their notorious San Francisco show, eventually migrated to Austin and told anyone who would listen that he was in a band called The Dicks. Years later, he actually put that…
Like other wildly talented young musicians who died tragically young, there is always a move to release all unheard recordings made during their lifetime. The result is not always ideal. In the case of Buckley, who drowned in Memphis in 1997 at the age of 30 with only one studio album to his name, the recordings have all been pretty impressive, including the latest, packaged as “You And I.”
Philly’s Up The Chain self-describe their sound as “Neighbor Rock.” I honestly have no idea what in the fuck that term means, but if their latest, “The Prison Break,” is any hint, I’m already huge fan of the genre.
Stewart Francke is able to create a timeless sort of rock that touches upon the work of Rod Stewart, David Bowie, and Donovan with the first song from this sampling of tracks. Summer Soldier (Holler If Ya Hear Me) is able to shine with introspective arrangements that bubble into something engrossing and melodies that will bury themselves deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. Sam Cooke’s On The Radio…
Born To Rock starts with an expansive rock sound that takes up hints of Neil Young, Rush, and Genesis. Intense guitar work during this opening track opens up into an epic track in Wake Up America. The narrative that is created on this effort is delectable, telling listeners more over the course of 270 seconds that many bands can do over the course of a full-length album. Bits of Pink…
Can’t Go Home is a smart blend of country and rock, showcasing the technical ability of Hillbilly Vegas from the onset of their latest release, the 76’ EP. The richness of the composition ensures that one will continually hear additional twists and turns on subsequent listens. The slower tempo of Long Way Back immediately allows listeners to hear more of the nuance present in the instrumental arrangements, while the composition…