Issues: Issue 300 - December 2013
Review: Warmaster/Humiliation – Self-Titled Split
Disregard the full-length’s display—this is a track-exclusive release and meant to be played on turntables pumping the deadskin collection that continuously builds up in your speakers back into your nasal cavity. Vinyl hoarders take note: This release is on nice, blood-splattered wax and limited to 500 copies. … read more
Review: Weekend Nachos – Still
John Hoffman’s vocal plasticity, which ranges from harrowing shrieks to guttural bellowing and intermittent grooving (“Yes Way” and “Broken Mirror”), compares to others of the ilk. Ultimately, though, the band plies their wares where the most bread gets buttered: punishing power violence with an occasional metal flourish. … read more
Review: Weird Owl – Healing
Brooklyn psych band with personal and label support from Anton Newcombe—that tagline should be enough of a selling point for many people interested in this record. Reverb and overdrive are more prominent effects than fuzz on Healing, setting it apart somewhat from previous Weird Owl releases. … read more
Review: Warbringer – IV: Empires Collapse
Though Empires Collapse is certainly a capital “T” Thrash record, it also incorporate more doom, punk and even industrial influences than any previous record, as made evident on ominous pounders like “The Turning of the Gears” and “Leviathan.” … read more
Review: Vaadat Charigim – The World Is Well Lost
The World abounds in primary shoegaze elements: swirls of lush guitar and nostalgic, monotone vocals. Tracks here move in and out of noise and meandering sonic contemplation, with a dark energy reminiscent of Slowdive’s Souvlaki. … read more
Review: This Will Destroy You – Live In Reykjavik, Iceland
This album, when listened to in a good pair of headphones, gives a taste of TWDY’s live presence in a perfect setlist comprised of the best of the band’s discography. I’m seething with jealousy over the lucky audience that witnessed this performance in Iceland, but grateful the band thought to record and share it with the rest of us. … read more
Review: Tomorrows Tulips – Experimental Jelly
There’s something unmistakably nostalgic about Experimental Jelly. It contains the bummer pop feel of The Velvet Underground classic, “Pale Blue Eyes.” Seemingly subdued songs like the ones throughout Experimental Jelly provide a feeling that I refer to as a “slow burn,” which allows them to be mellow, but penetrating as well. … read more
Review: Tonight Sky – Self-Titled
As the name suggests, the influences behind Tonight Sky (created by Jason Holstrom) involve a lot of stargazing and space stuff. With that, Holstrom weaves electronic melodies with danceable beats, layered with ambience invoking the nature of space—empty and vast. … read more
Review: Tracy Shedd – Arizona
All 13 tracks are quiet vocals over strummy, uncomplicated acoustic guitar and vapid, romantic lyrics. Cat Power sets the bar pretty high in my mind for the genre of “chicks with guitars and pretty voices,” and while Shedd fits the criteria, her approach lacks any sort of edge or defining quality. … read more
Review: The Warlocks – Skull Worship
Most of the record, much like their prior effort, The Mirror Explodes, is a shoegazy affair redolent of ethereal My Bloody Valentine static and dreampoppy vocal melodies. But for the fans of the jaunty hooks and crunch of Phoenix, don’t be daunted by the airy melodies of this one, for this is easily corrected with volume. … read more