Year: 2014
Review: Helms Alee – Sleepwalking Sailors
Sleepwalking Sailors is fun, melodic and disjointed post-rock that gathers many influences without committing to any of them. There are constant shifts from moments that are heavier and metal-adjacent, to discordant, sludgy aggression, to traditionally comfortable melodic lines. … read more
Review: Harsh Toke – Light Up and Live
The fact that bassist Richie Belton and guitarist Justin “Figgy” Figueroa are at the forefront of professional skateboarding is a mere footnote when talking about these SoCal shredders. The music speaks for itself—and loudly it speaks. … read more
Review: Hauschka – Abandoned City
When I listened to the album, all I could think of is how great of a soundtrack this would be for a post-apocalyptic movie. Piano is the main instrument, along with computer-generated drumbeats, which are incredibly organic sounding, and various strings being plucked to provide an interesting texture. … read more
Review: Helm – The Hollow Organ EP
This album’s melodic yet uneasy synth and echoing chains of chaotic noise are carefully tucked in the background of an unsettling world. If you are a fan of Blizzard’s Diablo 2 soundtrack, I would highly recommend this album. … read more
Review: Home – Bound To Gravity
I had to dig through the dusty recesses of my mental vault to describe Home. They straddle the line between sludge and post-hardcore. … read more
Review: Haunted Hearts – Initiation
Haunted Hearts consists of Brandon Welchez from the noise-pop band Crocodiles, and his wife Dee Dee, front woman of the Dum Dum Girls. A valid, but basic description of HH comes from the mouth of Brandon in an interview via Coup De Main, “It sounds like a 50/50 split between our bands to be honest.” … read more
Review: Groundislava – Frozen Throne
Groundislava = Shlohmo + Jerome LOL … read more
Review: Grand Magus – Triumph and Power
This trio of hard-rocking Swedes never disappoints with their unique brand of epic doom metal. JB Christoffersson’s soaring vocals sound like a younger Biff Byford, and he backs them up with earth-shaking guitarwork. … read more
Review: Hammock – Oblivion Hymns
I wouldn’t be surprised if “I Could Hear the Water at the Edge of All Things” was spawned by conversations with God or some spiritual essence. If you’re looking for a sacred experience, this is where you can find one, and these hymns are best listened to with reverence to feel uplifted. … read more
Review: Guided By Voices – Motivational Jumpsuit
“The biggest fish in the smallest pond?” he asks in “Littlest League,” seeming to question his indie-rock legend status. Pollard seems bent on creating works that are more and more self-assured and, in some small way, monumental, even when he doesn’t always knock one out of the park. … read more
Review: GreenHouse – The Last Shred of Night
This musical concoction is a tapestry of up-tempo indie anthems melded with downbeats of darker electro. Ryan Torres and Rex Hudson are the creators of this project that started back when the two met in college. … read more
Review: Harm Joy – Inside Out
Harm Joy = Assemblage 23 + Benny Benassi + Covenant … read more
