Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: November 11, 2008 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

Lady Gaga – The Fame (CD)

While individuals may know of Lady Gaga through eir writing credits (which include The Pussycat Dolls’ “Elevator” and Camden Hart’s “Lusty”), ”The Fame” is poised to set up Lady Gaga as a contender for the pop queen crowd worn variously by the aforementioned PCD and Britney Spears. The fact that Lady Gaga has writing credits on all 13 tracks on “The Fame” makes the disc exist on so much higher…

Posted on: November 6, 2008 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Snow Patrol – A Hundred Million Suns (CD)

It’s hard to listen to a Snow Patrol record nowadays and think of anything but the weepy, melodrama Grey’s Anatomy. The show may have added a few hundred thousand members to their fan club, thanks to heavy air play, but has pretty much cemented the band’s rep as being lightweight ear candy for those who get their music recommendations strictly from TV commercials – justified or not. There are a…

Posted on: November 5, 2008 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Dead to Me – Little Brother (CD)

I’m usually not a big fan of EP’s, seeing them as little more than a record company’s quick way to cash in on a rising band with not enough material for a full length. I am, however, willing to make an exception for Dead to Me’s 5 song offering Little Brother. The effort is pretty much hold over until their next proper album is ready, but the songs on the…

Posted on: November 5, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

Copper Sails – Hiding Place (CD)

Calling all Radiohead fans, calling all Radiohead fans we have discovered something just for you! Copper Sails hailing from Virginia offer up an album that drifts in and out with a very relaxing sonic experience. Copper Sails taking licks from bands like Radiohead and Dead Cab for Cutie have reached a wide fan base that only seems to get bigger and are ready to strike while I guess the copper…

Posted on: November 4, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 4

Modern Skirts – All of Us in Our Night (CD)

So the first thing I see on Modern Skirts – All of Us in Our Night is some big name producers in the indie rock game, big fucking deal that won’t sway me and sadly neither did Modern Skirts. I remember when Shins fever took over shortly after Garden State came out and totally rocked skinny pale kids everywhere to their very score.

Posted on: November 4, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

The Rockwells – Place & Time (CD)

The Rockwells are a breath of fresh air with this tour de force of a full length. “Place & Time” offers the listener thirteen dance your pants off tunes with that ability to keep you interested beyond shaking your ass. And to those of us who aren’t wearing pants we got at the junior miss section of Fashion Bug, Rockwells is an intimate album that has plenty to offer a…

Posted on: November 4, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

Hooray For Earth – Hooray For Earth (CD)

I’m having a hard time trying to put into words exactly what Hooray For Earth sounds like. I’m completely dumbfounded by their sound it’s a milkshake of forty different sounds in one stretched over twelve tracks. This self-titled has me reaching deep because it really does deserve some recognition. Hooray For Earth take what makes rock and roll so great in its raw form throws in some excellent key board…

Posted on: November 3, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

Gossip Girl – Original Music From Gossip Girl Soundtrack (CD)

The CW’s smash hit Gossip Girl based on the best selling young adult novels thirteen track soundtrack is exactly what’d you’d expect. Remember the days of The OC with their mix of relatively unknown artists in the main stream, although Cobra Verde did play on an episode which was cool, well this disc works in the same vein. Featuring giants on the rise The Kooks, The Republic Tigers ( check…

Posted on: November 2, 2008 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 1

Two Cow Garage – Speaking in Cursive (CD)

It’s refreshing to hear a band dig further back further in their closest than the last couple of Green Day CDs for musical influences. Ohio’s Two Cow Garage, like label mates Ninja Gun, pay homage to everyone from The Jayhawks to The Replacements and Speaking in Cursive, their fourth full length, is one of their best so far.

Posted on: October 31, 2008 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Peel – Die In June (CD)

The titular track for “Die In June” is a track that immediately creates a very detailed and dense instrumental arrangement that incorporates a number of distinct styles in the time before the vocals kick in. When the vocals do start up, individuals will hear a bit of dark rock that has hints of HIM and Stabbing Westward present. The driving guitars provide the perfect backdrop for the vocals to properly…

Posted on: October 31, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

Dead Heart Bloom – Oh Mercy (CD)

Dead Heart Bloom once again has rocked my fucking face off with their second EP of three to be released this year by KEI Records. Their first EP Fall In was an epic roller coaster ride of an EP giving us plenty of look into the talent and capabilities of Dead Heart Bloom.

Posted on: October 30, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

Meaghan Smith – The Cricket’s Quartet EP W/DVD (CD)

What happens when you take Jake White, that chick who sings that lovely little diddy about NOT writing you a love song and combine it with some crack you got from Amy Winehouse? Why Meaghan Smith of course! This four song shit pile of an EP even comes with a DVD! Who releases a DVD with their EP are you fucking Metallica?

Posted on: October 30, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

A Caesar Holiday – S/T EP (CD)

With so much noisy, louder than ye bands out there nowadays how can one tell the difference from shit I can make with a loud amp and some pedals? Compared to masterful and intelligently played? Well for one you could take some time out of your day and pick up A Caesar Holiday S/T EP. With six incredible songs slick with emotion and a tempo in each song that leads…

Posted on: October 29, 2008 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Julie Clark – Change Your Mind

We may already have received one of the best albums to be released in 2009. This album, Julie Clark’s 1/13/2009 release Change Your Mind, really places the bar for any GLBT musician that much further than it had been in 2008. This is due to the fact that Clark’s music simultaneously struggles for the GLBT cause without being circumscribed by what listeners tend to assume about GLBT-oriented artists. When January…

Posted on: October 29, 2008 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Triptaka – Second War (CD)

“Suspended” is the first track on “Second War”, and it showcases a type of rock that skillfully and deftly brings together hard rock, industrial, and even a little bit of New Wave music into something that is slinky and will ultimately be on listeners minds for long after the disc packs it in. That means that there are hints of Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Stabbing Westward, and even minor amounts…

Posted on: October 29, 2008 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Ping Trace – Traces (CD)

“At Ease” is the first introduction that many individuals will have to Ping Trace. The great thing is that the act does not limit themselves with “At Ease” in the slightest. Bits of natural (drumming) and artificial elements (scratching) fuse together to create a chill sound that is perfect for any downtempo type of party or gathering. While there may be some vocals here, these are part of a sample…

Posted on: October 29, 2008 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

The Reel Banditos – Indochina (CD)

The Reel Banditos are a unique act. Imagine if CCR mated with KMFDM and listeners will have some sort of clue what The Reel Banditos are doing during this EP. Where there are no vocals during this track, The Reel Banditos do a heck of a job creating an easy to follow narrative that is present at all points during this track. Their dedication to this sound continues through this…

Posted on: October 27, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

Sergeant – Midnight to Midnight (CD)

Everyone has their musical fantasies, those songs you listen to during the nastiest of sexy-times. Well I think that’s what Sergeant had in mind when they recorded their 2006 album Midnight to Midnight. I’ve heard some pretty wacky songs over my short years but this is some straight tie you up beat you and burn you shit. Total SNM debauchery, but all in all the tunes aren’t that bad.

Posted on: October 27, 2008 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

Exceptional Edward – Lost at Sea (CD)

Come along on this fantastic voyage that Exceptional Edward has prepared for us with their 2008 album Lost at Sea. Exceptional Edwards offers up eleven well played songs for our listening pleasure. It’s soft to the ears for with a very laid back approach throughout.