Music
Review: Boozoo Bajou – 4
Enter Boozoo Bajou, a couple of fellows from Germany with a band name so bad, they ought to be dick punched. Their music is pretty, I suppose, and I’ll admit it does create “a mood.” The problem is that the mood is a bit—zzz … … read more
Review: Blue Matches – Starting Over
Going for a throwback to the ‘90s with this one, with femme rock fit with fuzzy guitar riffs that briefly breach into a more hardcore, alt-punk pop along the same lines as Pink or maybe Good Charlotte. … read more
Review: Banner Pilot – Souvenir
Normally, I really enjoy softer forms of punk rock—as long as there is enough emotion in the lyrics and music, it always keeps me enthralled. Unfortunately, this album doesn’t grab me in the same way that Off With Their Heads or The Riverboat Gamblers did when I first listened to them. … read more
Review: Stagnant Pools – Geist
I could probably fill most of the shoegaze reviews I write with half-hearted comparisons to Slowdive and be done with ’em. That’s what I thought here, at first, with the opening song “You Whir,” but a different narrative unfolded upon subsequent listenings. … read more
Review: Andrew Jackson Jihad – Christmas Island
Like their previous albums, Andrew Jackson Jihad has created a disturbed eulogy to a candy-coated world view. … read more
Review: Amen Dunes – Love
Love is songwriter Damon McMahon’s latest release as Amen Dunes on Sacred Bones Records. … read more
Review: ACxDC – Antichrist Demoncore
Having established themselves as a nascent pillar of the California punk n’ hardcore community with a smattering of splits, EPs and insane live shows (check the Google machine for their set in Pomona 2011), ACxDC’s full-length debut offering might literally be their opus to masochistic, satani-violence with a conscience. … read more
June 2014 National Music Reviews
National music reviews for ACxDC, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Courtney Barnett, Ex-Cult, Frantix, Howls, King Dude, Kite Party, La Sera, Meatmen, Moon Zero, Nostalgia, Polar Bear Club, R.M. Hendrix, Secret Smoker, Tempel, Tobacco, Vader, Woods and more. … read more
Review: Conan – Blood Eagle
Conan’s second LP, Blood Eagle, is as deliberate and brutal as its namesake—a method of execution mentioned in Norse legends. … read more
Reviews: Unicycle Loves You – The Dead Age
The Dead Age fills well-titled tracks (names like “Suicide Pizza,” “Face Tattoo” and “Endless Bummer”) with the retro fuzz sound that’s seized the garage scene. The track names alone would be enough to get me to listen at least once. … read more
Reviews: Wild Ones – Keep it Safe
This album is sure to be a great summertime hit. The first song, “Golden Twin,” is catchy, and they maintain that interest pretty solidly throughout. … read more
Reviews: Vertical Scratchers – Daughter of Everything
Vertical Scratchers are a two-piece band made up of ex-Brainiac and Enon guitarist John Schmersal and former Triclops! drummer Christian Beaulieu. This is the debut album for the duo, and it stands as a testament to the heartwarming, poetic rock direction that Merge Records seems to be embracing with their new releases. … read more
