Authors: CJ Morgan
Review: Poeina Suddarth – Happy Whore
Poeina Suddarth’s vocal range is insane. Her sharp-yet-sweet voice travels everywhere from upbeat skit-skat jazz on “Natural Disaster,” all the way to relaxed grass-plains country sounds on “Gasoline” and “White Mr. Beauty.” … read more
Review: PORCHES. – Slow Dance in the Cosmos
PORCHES. have a sound that includes a little folk, a little rock, ample keys and a touch of soul. … read more
Review: Plateau Below – Still Paradise
“Eris” opens this album with the driving mantras and quiet anxiety you heard from Modest Mouse on the Lonesome and Crowded West, though Plateau keeps it rounded with an almost Syd Barrett-esque psychedelic flourish. … read more
Review: Neighbours – Prime Numbers
Neighbours really suckle the teat of Motown and 70s soul. From the opening bass-lines of “Tell the Truth,” Neighbours give you danceability. … read more
Review: Mt. Royal – Self-Titled
“More” has a certain Peter Bjorn and John feel and is a little more upbeat, though vocals stay in the shadows. “Yes Your Majesty” has great bass that travels over casual synth backings and lazy slide guitar. “Mockingbird” has nice acoustic strums over snappy, quick-paced drums—it reminds me of closing credits for a 007 movie. … read more
Local Review: Westward – The Deadly Rapture of Space
Westward = Muse x Grey Fiction … read more
Local Review: Tyler James Lewis – Presentism
Tyler James Lewis = Bright Eyes + Westward the Tide + Isaac Russell … read more
Local Review: The Love§trange – I Liked It, No I...
The Love§trange = Interpol + Elf Power … read more
Local Review: Spell Talk – Rough
Spell Talk Rough Self-Released Street: 09.26.12 Spell Talk = Black Keys + De Stijl–era White Stripes It’s too bad Spell Talk broke up following this release, because their down n’ dirty rock n’ roll went straight for the guts and would’ve won a “vintage sound” contest any day. Rough has a distinguished, antique sound that’s
Local Review: RunAway Blues – Self-Titled
RunAway Blues = Wakane + Alicia Keys … read more
Local Review: Rise In Style – Self-Titled
This six-song album has notes borrowed from a variety of alternative rockers. Opener “Do Away” is a hopeful anthem that strokes the edge of Angels and Airwaves without the excessive reverb. “Revival” has a post-hardcore, At the Drive-In feel, though without as much edge. … read more
Local Review: Out, Out – Songs to Forget Me By
Songs to Forget Me By is rife with songs ripped from the romantic, early ‘00s atmospheric alt-pop camp, which is fine, but I must say I was bored for most of this album. … read more
