The term “Norsecore” has been thrown around on the internet for a while and generally refers to bands that ripped off the second-wave Norwegian bands in every possible way from riffs to aesthetics to an extreme over-reliance on blast beats.
Calling to mind everyone from the B-52’s to the dB’s, Athens, GA-based Casper & The Cookies have always revealed in catchy, jerky synth pop that you can’t help but sing along to (quirky choruses be damned!). On Dingbats, their eighth release (their sixth or so with the band full band, The Cookies), the group is still uncompromisingly odd and just as fun as when they first surfaced. Their latest is…
The typical words I would associate with black metal of all kinds do not seem to fit when I attempt to describe Dodsferd’s 9th studio album, ‘The parasitic survival of the human race’. A mix of sturdy riffing, clearly defined instrumentation and somehow structured vocal timings, make, truly gripping, exciting and sincerely different from anything I have heard before. Dodsferd have somehow managed to create a rebellious, ‘fuck you’ sounding…
The Blasterjaxx boys have been taking the music world by storm, leaving the likes of Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga in the dust. Owing to their huge success world-wide, Blasterjaxx pops out two new remixes of their new hit chart-topper Faith: the Lady Bee Remix as well as the Bassanova & Dirty Herz Remix. Shaping two distinct yet eerily similar tunes, Blasterjaxx brings in influences from trap, EDM, as well…
Stop Making Sense and Start Making Success is an introspective and deftly-designed composition that provides listeners with a complete introduction to Lasse Passage; the dense arrangements will take a number of listens before they yield every secret that Lasse Passage has placed into the effort. The darkly emotive arrangements that are present on tracks like Tanker Om Morningen are simply unparalleled. Hints of early oughts Deep Elm emotive rock can…
Michael Stosic has crafted a unique style of music that is fuelled by a number radio-friendly tracks. Before this album ends, fans of raw musicianship and of intelligent arrangements will find something that they can appreciate. The presence of Backstreet Dancer as the initial effort on this release ensures that listeners can be properly inspired to stick with Stosic’s music from beginning to end. The track deftly weaves together…
Reachin Out is a heartfelt and softly-spoken track that will allow listeners ample opportunity to familiarize themselves with Jason Mark Yates. The drums really shine during this track to provide further gravitas to this recording, while Yates’ vocals are haunting. The ease of understanding what is going on during this single will endear fans to Yates’s music, while the smart instrumentation will ensure that they are on the edges of…
The Implicate Order EP has 4 tracks which unite to provide a solid introduction to Alex Von Z. Drawn is the initial offering, and it immediately provides listeners with a sense of camaraderie. The production allows listeners to be transported into the closest setting with Alex Von Z, while the Implicate Order CD provides two different ways to enjoy the track. What It Should Be is a complex track that…
Laurelle’s All The Way is a track that blends rap and dance music to create a high-energy track that will work equally well at dance clubs and bars. The infusion of synths and a quick tempo ensures that this track is tattooed deep into the mind of listeners. The drop that is present between the two parts of the track keeps things current and provides further highlighting to Laurelle’s vocals.…
Life Incorporated begins after a brief introduction, which soars on intricate time signatures and an overall arrangement that puts the drums as a focal point to the band. Life Incorporated continues with Liability, an effort that is reminiscent of artists like Rites of Spring, Strike Anywhere, and early (pre Girl’s Not Grey-era AFI). There is greater emotionality and narration going on during each of the tracks on this album than…
With a title like Nothin’ But Blood, you half expect the latest from blues/soul/punk/Americana artist Scott H. Biram to be a rowdy collection of his loudest, burn-down-the-house compositions, but this 14-track effort is actually a pretty low key effort. That is certainly not a slam against these songs – far from it, as the record is simply amazing from the first track on – but more of a heads up…
Athens, GA indie pop band Eureka California take up right where Pavement left off after Stephen Malkmus realized he didn’t want to get along with anyone any more. Like their fellow 90’s rock obsessives Good Grief, Eureka California have a slacker pop sound that comes off uncontrived, but down right infectious. The pair, each contributing two songs to this split (“Turn on Autopilot” and “DC Sniper” for Eureka California and…
The Gates of Shadows leads in nicely to Evolution, a high-energy metal track that blends all the authority and power of eighties metal with a more current and contemporary production and in your face attitude. After this introductory salvo, Lucid Dream is able to move to a Queensryche meets Countdown to Extinction-era Megadeth sound; the act’s constituent elements are able to unite and provide for a track…
Blood Like Fire is a track that links together 90s indie and alternative rock with a more classic singer-songwriter style. The production of this introductory effort will immediately draw listeners in, while the smart instrumental arrangements will increase the track’s (and by extension, the album’s) replay value. Feza Feza is bolstered through the presence of Omnia Hegazy as a backing force during the song’s chorus; the track takes a considerably…
On the Road blends the sixties singer-songwriter genre with hints of classic country. Ferrell’s vocals are rich and road-wizened, while the arrangements similarly show a maturity that belies his age. Ferrell’s I Was Born EP shines based off the equal focus given to the vocal and instrumental side of things, while The Ring represents another track that feels destined for play on radio rotation. The track is built off of…
Carillon Belles is a smartly-designed composition. During this effort, the arrangements are given ample time to create a backdrop upon with the haunting and ethereal vocals can shine. The vocals do double duty – not only do they tell listeners a story, they contribute to the oval music that issues from the speakers.
The complexity that Julian & The Upside Sound craft on efforts like Out of Time is astounding; listeners can honestly sit down and unravel all the twists and turns on the track over the course of repeat plays. This complexity does not impact the allure of the band – fans can easily turn on this CD and be taken away by the compositions that are presented. Silverlining Waltz slows…
The hard, heavily distorted edge of “Life” moves into something that is odd, to say the least. The nearest thing that I could compare Sweet Distortion to would have to be a blend of Korn, D.R.I., and Megadeth. That is to say, the act goes forth and blends a number of harder styles while keeping things as current as can be. The production of the disc is solid, allowing the…
It takes Sweater Club a few minutes to get started on their “Pt. I”, but when the bass line starts chugging, individuals should know that they are going to be in for an intense listen. In fact, the style of this opening to “Five More Minutes” feels more like a Don Henley track than anything. The fact that Sweater Club have taken the eighties so seriously means that the band…
Though best remembered for the beautifully raunchy, but oh so catchy tune “The Dirty Song,” Athens, GA’s duo Cars Can Be Blue are back with their strongest full length yet, Trace the Tension. Bringing to mind everyone from The Muffs to The Moldy Peaches, the band is still playful and still irreverent, but a tad more focused with this latest 14-song offering. From the pumped up album opener “You…