Review: OFF! – Wasted Years

Review: OFF! – Wasted Years
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In 2010, when footage of OFF! first started showing up online, fans of old California hardcore music lost their minds. Was Keith Morris actually fronting a punk rock super-group that could savagely jam 17 songs into less than 20 minutes? He was, and they could—it was incredible. Skip forward four years, and here we are with OFF!’s third full-length release. … read more

Review: Nostalghia – Chrysalis

Review: Nostalghia – Chrysalis
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Nostalghia’s Chrysalis is an otherworldly, eerie combination of intense vocals and uneasily calm synth. The delicate vocals harness an underlying aspect of intensity that slowly builds as the album takes shape. … read more

Review: Meatmen – Savage Sagas

Review: Meatmen – Savage Sagas
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As the opening lyrics “We’re the motherfuckin’ Men O’ Meat!” were hurtled in my face, I knew that the legendary Meatmen were back with another anthology of gross-out punk rock. This disgusting masterpiece contains assertive numbers like “I’m Gonna Fuck You Up,” “Piss Hot for Weed” and “Speed Kills (But it Sure Feels So Good).” … read more

Review: Metsatöll – Karjajuht

Review: Metsatöll – Karjajuht
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Folk metal exists with many bands doing different things—most mix other genres of metal with folk elements like melodic death, black or death metal. Others exist outside those boundaries. Estonia’s Metsatöll are one of those bands. … read more

 
 
Review: Moon Zero – Tombs / Loss

Review: Moon Zero – Tombs / Loss
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Like an unsettling dream, this pair of albums produces associations and feelings that displace and frighten the listener. Tim Garratt plays with the possibilities of maximalist ambience, pitting a full range of reverberating overtones against each other to create overpowering aural experiences. … read more

Review: Lydia Lunch & Cypress Grove – A Fistful of Desert Blues

Review: Lydia Lunch & Cypress Grove – A Fistful of...
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Like a mysterious mirage amid sand dunes, “Sandpit” begins the album with Spanish-influenced blues and existential wonderings. In her classic style, Lunch moans like a witch with a voice made out of sex. … read more

Review: Mark Barrot – Sketches From An Island

Review: Mark Barrot – Sketches From An Island
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If you follow the surfing community, even casually, then you might know the name Ozzie Wright and his colorful piece of art, “Anti Bad Vibe Shield.” Mark Barrot’s new album could be the soundtrack for that piece of art. … read more

Review: La Sera – Hour of the Dawn

Review: La Sera – Hour of the Dawn
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Katy Goodman’s (Vivian Girls) third solo album under the name La Sera is uplifting and poppy, combined with a definitive Smiths-ian piece of brilliance. Warning: This album produces a strangely addictive sound that keeps one hooked from beginning to end.  … read more

Review: Kepler – Attic Salt 12”

Review: Kepler – Attic Salt 12”
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It sounds like every mellow-rock and indie band in the last 25 years congealed into one unimaginative band. Maybe part of it was because I had to fuck around with a record player for 30 minutes to be able to play it.  … read more

Review: King Dude – Fear

Review: King Dude – Fear
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TJ Cowgill, aka King Dude, caught my attention with 2011’s Love, a spacious pagan folk record examining themes of death, nature and Lucifer’s light. Now, joined by drummer Joey D’Auria and session musicians, Cowgill supplements Americana and Brit-folk explorations of existential fear and imminent demise with a completely unexpected musical mode—punk rock n’ roll. … read more