So, New Line sounds like they dug up a early sixties rock band’s long-lost debut and have pandered it off as a rock-revival disc. The presence of very active synthesizers really adds a certain veneer to the early tracks (I’m Going To Live…”, “Circus”) and makes the chipper vocals of Eddies stand up even more. The fact that The Sights have been around for 7 years explains the solid, confident…
True Punk, as this tape is markered, with a masking tape label. Recorded on a tape deck the quality isn’t the best, but the fury that the Slutz play is simply awesome. The bass parts during the first song “Anal Cunt…” are great, with a sense of raw urgency about then. These guys seem to have a sense of humor, as evidenced by the title of the songs and the…
The Showdone come with a brand of hard rock that is tremendously tied to both the hair metal genre and the earlier (not the power metal releases) of Pantera. During “Fanatics and Whores”, The Showdown add a little bit of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd band to the mix, allowing for something that is current but is tremendously educated on the forms of hard rock that preceded them. The shredding that…
The picture of Showbread on the back of “Age Of Reptiles” gives little idea for what style of music will come forth during tracks like “Naked Lunch”. What ultimately results during the disc’s opening track is something that can only be called rock. There is more than a fair share of seventies-looking rock riffs, while Showbread aligns themselves with the general sound of acts like Buckcherry (although, with nothing…
Parisian duo Total Warr delivers an irresistible blend of energetic pop set to danceworthy electro beats and commanding percussion. Having received accolades from FADER to Stereogum, the band recently released the first track from their upcoming EP, Corbay, out June 11th. Today, they release a live video for the track, “xxx HATE xxx,” one of the EPs slower, more reflective jams. Check out the live “xxx HATE xxx” video where…
We were able to review The Second Time Around last year. I believe that the tracks on As We Go ‘Round the Sun build off of the successes of the previous album, while allowing listeners ample chance to hear a more mature and polished title. The CD starts off with the titular track; Desimone sets up where the album will go as well as where he has been. This sunny…
There is an eclectic sound that is fostered on This Is Our Time that will immediately impress. Rather than merely tracing over the styles and genres that are popular, Kevin Gullickson is able to create something bold and new with each of the 11 tracks on this album. The first track, Rising, is the perfect microcosm – in the nearly five minutes of the track, listeners will be provided with…
It’s been awhile since Willie’s put out an album free of themes. His last few, his partnerships with Asleep At the Wheel and Wynton Marsalis (those are two separate pairing, by the way), while good, seemed to be more about changing things up after 60 or so studio albums (and that’s not a typo) than continuing his legacy as one of this country’s greatest musical treasures. Hyperbole aside, you could…
The sheer power which the band puts into Bombshell far outstrips other pop acts on the scene. The track is more varied fare than what typically is played on the radio; the track’s rich production allows hints of girl group pop, rock, and R&B all to be heard. As Petrel moves towards the hook, this sister trio is able to harmonize and drive the melody deep into listeners’ minds…
We’ve been keeping an eye on Hazy Flow for a while now. This Cleveland rapper has just released his new video for the cut “Bass Go Hammer”. Footage was captured during the Kent, Ohio College Fest riots April 21st.
DJ-Kicks is making a solid bid for 2012 as one of the strongest years of the series so far. Following much-loved entries from Photek & Maya Jane Coles, the first DJ-Kicks of the summer comes from none other than Digitalism. Featuring a generous serving of exclusive tracks (eight in total), the mix is sure to have fans dancing all summer long. The brand new exclusive track “A New Drug” is…
The type of punk rock that the CONVALESCENTS play is insane; the energy brought to listeners with the opening strains of Scratch Scratch is reminiscent of 1039-era Green Day and Bad Religion. The tightness of the band is made more visible through a solid overall production. This production ensures that each part of the band is able to shine, be it vocals, drums, or guitars. The band is able…
The emotive guitar work that begins The Landing draws listeners in; there is a narration that is present throughout the entirety of the opening effort, Dogs in Paradise. There need not be any vocals in this track just as long as Hill’s playing is present. The sheer amount of different styles and sounds that can issue forth from Hill’s guitar is amazing; one will be shocked to learn that…
The Elwood James Band begin their self-titled EP with Rain, a vocal-focused track that possesses a delightful set of harmonies. These vocals harmonies work perfectly in tandem with the ropey bass lines and on-point drum lines. After providing listeners this introductory track, The Elwood James Band are able to expand their sound with Nobody Rolls. This track begins in a slower, more deliberate fashion. The guitars will draw listeners…
Ottoman Palace starts out Mediterranean, and the track allows Amberfern to create a bold sounding title. The track kicks into high gear at about the 50 second mark, providing listeners with a brief glimpse of the hustle and bustle of a marketplace. Moving from that, there is still a quick tempo and motivated feel to this introductory track. Moving into Es Grau, Amberfern shifts the album’s paradigm considerably; the song…
Rajendra Teredesai’s Divine Dimension begins with Antar Naad (Call Within), a track that sets the stage for the different approaches and styles that are presented during the album’s runtime. Teredesai plays the bansuri (a type of bamboo flute), and creates compositions that provide listeners with a considerable amount of instrumental narration. Each of the compositions stretches out over a six-plus minute runtime, allowing Teredesai ample opportunity to expand on arrangements…
The Dandy Warhols have been around since 1994. Despite closing in on their twentieth year as a band, I feel that the band has been able to continually innovate. The 11 tracks on This Machine allow the band to continue with the sound that has been such a hallmark, but adds considerably to the overall paintbrush that the band can use. Sad vacation opens up the title, providing listeners…
The importance that Ernie Kovacs had on modern comedy is incredible. While eir early death made it harder to understand eir true role in current come, I feel that the variety of specials that are captured here should showcase the sheer impact that ey had on the art form. Shout Factory has found some solid versions of these specials, which do not possess the same graininess or audio problems…
Songwriter C.R. Ecker came to country music from a news background in New York and L.A. Not a usual musical career route. “I knew to write with clarity and feeling about my own experiences, match melodies that listeners would remember, make every word count and sung as pronounced, and not waste a note –all advice from my songwriting coach Sam Brown, who also mentored a very young Michael Jackson. You’ll…
Stars and Satellites is the latest release by Trampled by Turtles, and it showcases a band that can unite a variety of disparate elements into a cohesive release. The transformative aspect of this album cannot be overstated; it provides listeners with a blueprint with how to make a tremendous album. Stars and Satellites begins with Midnight on the Interstate, hitting listeners with a very polished and catchy set of…