Year: 2014
Review: Orthy – E.M.I.L.Y. EP
Ian Orth’s edits, meant for Austin’s electro dance Learning Secrets, ended up as the four songs on this EP and are typical electro-pop of the moment—but I feel as if there’s nothing super enticing or even pleasantly generic about them (though a Baio remix of the title track provides a nice twist on the EP’s singular sound). … read more
Review: Painted Palms – Forever
Painted Palms’ debut EP, Canopy, saw its release in 2011 and was later discovered by of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes. After gaining momentum from touring with them and STRFKR, Painted Palms has released a stellar LP, which sounds as vintage as it does modern. … read more
Review: Origamibiro – Collection
Samples of the guitarist’s creaking chair, sounds of his breath and the squeak of the wood in the guitar were implemented in the songs. It gave a very personal and intimate feel to the album. This album is a lengthy novel in comparison to the norm and is something that should be listened to intently rather than as an accompaniment. … read more
Review: Outrageous Fun – Trustfund DIY
Trustfund DIY moves through the greater lo-fi genre, reminding me of a new group with every song, but always holding an upbeat quality I’d associate with Marvelous Darlings. The album opens with “Town Like This,” which could be Matt Whitehurst of Psychedelic Horseshit singing over Cloud Nothings’ first album. … read more
Review: Overlake – Sighs
The opening track (aptly titled “First”) is sleepy and cinematic, a dramatic yet understated introduction to an album that attempts to walk the fine line between indie and post-rock. … read more
Review: Patrick Sexx – The Shadow That Took Shape
Patrick Sexx created an album that sounds like a coloring book from an alternate reality. The title track has a slow synth accompanied by an upbeat chorus of backing vocals, which create a friendly atmosphere that sounds like a waking dream. … read more
Review: Perfect Pussy – Say Yes To Love
Say the name five times fast, snicker, then fuck off: Perfect Pussy is out to eviscerate your woeful self-critique with heart, humor and critical punk-rrrriot. … read more
Review: Phantogram – Voices
Voices is one of those strange albums that tricks listeners into thinking it’s nothing special at first glance. Obviously, that wasn’t the intention the New York duo had in mind for their sophomore album, but the fact is you have to give this one a chance beyond the first pass. … read more
Review: Pacific Mean Time – Self-Titled
There is way too much trying to happen on this album. It sounds like the band wanted to incorporate all the elements that they like from each genre and, unfortunately, it really doesn’t work. While the album is certainly ambitious, it lacks a definitive sound. … read more
Review: Odonis Odonis – Hard Boiled Soft Boiled
Hard Boiled Soft Boiled is the second album from this Toronto-based band Odonis Odonis. It’s fitting that this self-described “industrial surf-gaze” group has more to their double name than any singular sound—HBSB is two-sided and explores noise-pop from two different approaches. … read more
Review: OFF! – Wasted Years
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: Papercuts – Life Among the Savages
Papercuts = Spiritualized + The Eels – Coldplay … read more
