Issues: Issue 304 - April 2014
Review: Trust – Joyland
It’s dark there, where you are. A faint, crystalline whimper hums over the pitch-black day-glo. There’s this neon-glowing earworm creeping out from somewhere in your head, and it’s eager for an inch of the latest fake-goth sensation. … read more
Review: The War On Drugs – Lost In The Dream
Perhaps you’ve never gotten into the Bon Ivers and Fleet Foxes of the world. Fair enough: They tend to be a bit precious. That said, if you check this one out, you might be pleasantly surprised. … read more
Review: The Menzingers – Rented World
Well, The Menzingers have delivered another album that the disgruntled and eccentric youth can tap their feet and bob their heads to. … read more
Review: The She’s – Dreamers
Smack on some lip gloss, grab an ice cream cone and head down to the beach with Dreamers as your soundtrack. This three-piece gal band is perfect for summer tunes, with garage pop-punk melodies to get you bouncing as you skip around and smile about how great your life is. … read more
Review: The Shrine – Bless Off
I’ve kept The Shrine at arm’s length for some time, mostly because I get annoyed when 16-year-old nu-metallers-turned-skaters try to “educate” me on Sabbath (my first intro to this band), but also because I’m a huge, gutless jerk who doesn’t get into stuff unless he thinks HE discovered it first. … read more
Review: The Shackeltons – Records
Records resonates the same essence that Test Icicles did, only after the caffeine (or whatever stronger stimulant) had begun to wear off. … read more
Review: The Shilohs – Self-Titled
Vancouver’s The Shilohs position themselves adjacent to power pop trail-blazers Big Star and Badfinger, though their sound more closely resembles another band indebted to the Alex Chiltons of the world: Olivia Tremor Control. … read more
Review: The Grouch & Eligh – The Tortoise & The...
Hip-hop fans: Place this high on your listening priority. The Grouch & Eligh got their start the DIY way, and have been able to keep a steady fanbase without being attached to a label. … read more
Review: The Honey Trees – Bright Fire
The Honey Trees are more than musicians—they’re enchanters. Becky Flip, Jeremy Larson and Jacob Wick created an album that feels like it was produced in an enchanted forest, much like the one on the album’s cover. … read more
Review: Suzanne Vega – Tales From The Realm Of The Queen...
“Black is the truth/of my situation/and for those of my station/In life/all other colors lie,” Vega ominously sings on the thrillingly catchy “I Never Wear White,” one of many highs on this, her eighth studio album. … read more