Year: 2005
Review: The Hidden Cameras – Mississauga, Goddam
THE HIDDEN CAMERAS MISSISSAUGA, GODDAM Rough Trade Oh dear, The Hidden Cameras sounds like a rather twisted wreck of the flamboyant sexuality of the Scissor Sisters with the dark wit and tangled allusions to debauchery of The Beautiful South, the sing-along retro-chic of Belle and Sebastian and the awkward humanity found in all things by
Review: The Funk Ensamble – Skunk
THE FUNK ENSAMBLE “SKUNK” Purple Tracks From the label that has brought you KOT—”So Alive” (Purple Tracks) and the infamous Michelle Weeks “The Light” (Purple Music) comes the latest installment of funk and gospel. Produced by Dario Dattis (the man behind Inaya Day’s “Freedom” PM026), this Saturday-night church-floor-filler will keep your crowd in an ass-shaken’
Review: The Dead Science – Bird Bones in the Bughouse
The Dead Science Bird Bones in the Bughouse Absolutely Kosher The drummer plays in a jerky, attacking motion that reminds me of Tori Amos. The vocals are hushed, falsetto and reaching for a dramatic beauty that falls between the dissonance of the guitars and stand-up bass. It’s mutant jazz on downers twitching along in
Review: The Cloud Room – Self-Titled
The Cloud Room is a collection of finely crafted songs with great hooks and a sense of sincerity that is missing from the majority of this second-generation post-punk revolution. … read more
Review: Sugur Rós – Von
SIGUR RÓS VON One Little Indian There’s this band from Iceland. No, not the Sugarcubes. The other band, Sigur Rós—perhaps you’ve heard of them? Well, this is their first album that up until this point hasn’t been officially available in America. It sounds like a nightmare, a rolling psychotic grind into the sparseness of darkness
Review: Tanja Dankner – Will I Ever
TANJA DANKNER “WILL I EVER” Purple Music Originally produced in 2000 by famous TV German/Turkish showman Stefan Raab (www.tvtotal.de ), who is known for his composing, acting, producing and TV appearances, this new release from Purple Music is blowin’ up the speakers. Now in a downright groovy manner, PM’s Jamie Lewis takes this bumpin’ lover
Review: The Angels of Light – Other People
The Angels of Light Other People Young God Michael Gira (Swans) returns with an album that is familiar while remaining a departure from what you might expect: Other People. Gone are the grandiose epics and hypnotic peaks replaced by a starkness that finally allows a glimpse of the brilliance without the antics getting in the
Review: Testament – Seen Between the Lines DVD
Their previous singer before the band ever got signed ended up in Exodus. That’s about it here—so if you like Testament, go for it. … read more
Review: Slayer – DVD Still Reigning
Slayer DVD Still Reigning American Slayer has been putting out records for 21 years now. In that time they’ve released eight studio albums of original music, including a little gem named Reign In Blood (1986). I’m sure in the last 18 years they’ve tried to put Reign In Blood to bed, but that’s a monster
Review: Soul Khula Feat. Miss Identity – Fire
SOUL KHULA FT. MISS IDENTITY “FIRE” (NNY/Groove Junkies mixes) Undo/Gossip After their success with “Saturday Night,” the South African artist Soul Khula produces another follow-up hit, Fire. In a soulful laid-back house style, this number is a perfect track for the beginning of your club night. On the NNY side, this rough-and-tough remix is peak
Review: Starflyer 59 – Talking Voice VS. Singing Voice
It’s epic in a small box theater, but not exactly made for big booming stadiums. … read more
Review: Sergeant Sawtooth – Mescaline
SERGEANT SAWTOOTH MESCALINE www.negative3.com Here is a musician who knows how to shake up industrial stereotypes and rearrange familiar electronic sounds into a fresh approach. Sergeant Sawtooth is the latest project of Rob Robinson, who is known for his work with Kevorkian Death Cycle and Bol. Mescaline skillfully bridges glitchy textures, ambient drones and clicky
