Month: October 2014
Review: Obscure Burial – Epiphany
This is a neat, little release from Finland’s death dealers, Obscure Burial. Epiphany can be considered a demo, both in its rough production, length and the grim cover artwork, yet it could stand up to many of the studio albums from major labels that I’ve heard this year. … read more
Review: Mark Rogers & Mary Byrne – I Line My...
For a soothing retreat, I Line My Days Along Your Weight by duo Mark Rogers & Mary Byrne dabbles in the bluesy twang of older folk songs, with a fresh take that gives this album a timeless appeal. … read more
Review: Kool Stuff Katie – Self-Titled
This is a fun band. The minimalist musical duo from Portland, Ore., makes incredibly light and upbeat music that hemorrhages positivity. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it bubbly, but the brightly tinged pop punk sound fills a void that I didn’t even notice was there. … read more
Review: Lauren Redhead – Entoptic Landscape
In the last several years, there has been a noticeable expansion in the amount of time it takes for me to finish a book.
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Review: Literature – Chorus
Sifting through the flavors of indie pop on Literature’s debut album might be as bad as calling the whole bloody thing the dreaded “T” word, but there’s a history here. … read more
Review: Kasper Bjørke – After Forever
Icelandic pop: Doesn’t that sound interesting? It conjures up feelings of cold and warmth intertwined to create crystalline structures that are only possible through sound. … read more
Review: Human Cull – Stillborn Nation
I love discovering new bands by random occurrences. Human Cull made its way to me through a physical promo of the CD sent to SLUG Mag. This UK grind band surprised the shit out of me. … read more
Review: Jack White – Lazaretto
Ever since the release of Blunderbuss in 2012, Jack White’s solo career has been very unpredictable and almost a major step away from everything else he was doing in his various bands. That’s reflected greatly in Lazaretto, where White’s style has morphed to be a pseudo country/blues/garage rock theme that sounds far more enthralling than anything he did in the previous decade. … read more
Local Review: TelePathiQ – Dark Room EP
In just three songs, TelePathiQ packs enough intensity for a full-length album. Booming drums are silhouetted by classical riffs of piano and paired with female vocals. … read more
Local Review: Socialists – Self-Titled LP/Hasta La Rock EP
Now here’s a couple of good, old-fashioned leftist punk rock releases, by local band the Socialists. You might want to call this group more of a “collective.” They are true to their beliefs enough that they include “Praise Boss,” with lyrics by the Australian IWW from the early 1900s and “This Little Scab” with lyrics by the Chicago IWW and Local 329 SEIU. … read more
Local Review: Replica Mine – Three Noble Truths
This album is split into three parts: Existence, Cause and Cessation. Incorporating both industrial and earthy sounds, Adam Harmon creates a rich and eclectic texture. The vocals have the grungy, distorted edge of the early ’90s, which contrast the earthy tones of the guitar and bass. … read more
Local Review: Patchz – Lightz Out
Lightz Out is a seven-track sampler of rap, hip-hop and R&B material, with different guest vocalists to break up the musical compositions. It begins with “Grounded,” a rap song featuring B Still, and moves right into a pretty, little R&B ditty on the second song, “Cry for Help.” … read more
