Music
Reviews: Turchi – Can’t Bury Your Past
The beauty of the blues is that it’s so simple and raw that it can convey anything from anybody. It’s not playing different chords—it’s that one can play the same chords that have been played forever, and still play them with one’s own pain with one’s own soul. Turchi play a gritty, textured style of the blues, which, at times, is pretty remarkable … … read more
Reviews: The Trouble With Templeton
- Rookie
This group of Australians recently made a musical transition with this new album. They went from alternative folk on their first album, Bleeders, to an alternative rock band. … read more
Reviews: Tiny Boats – Broken Vessels
Tiny Boats have created a lovely debut. With a respectable 45 minutes of music, this easy-listen folk-rock album is a great glimpse into the sound and stylings of this new band. … read more
Reviews: Teitanblood – Death
Even though I’m now a pile of pulverized flesh and bodily fluid as a result, listening to Teitanblood’s latest offering was the best decision of my adult life. The second you hit “play” on your stereo, a carnal swarm of everything capable of kicking ass begins mercilessly bludgeoning you with the filthiest, evilest death metal ever created. … read more
Reviews: TEEN – The Way and Color
I knew TEEN would evolve beyond their psychedelic girl group sound—last year’s Carolina proved that. I wasn’t expecting something this good, though. The first track, “Rose 4 U” is familiar enough, but the next one, “Not For Long,” begins to meld ‘90s R&B–style vocal harmonies, modern beats and instrumentation, and spacey textures that are singular to this record and the band itself. … read more
Reviews: Sweet Apple – The Golden Age of Glitter
J Mascis’ signature geetar-wailing paired with John Petkovic’s (Cobra Verde) trembly vocals results in a glistening, ’70s-esque powerpop juggernaut … … read more
Reviews: Smoke Fairies – Self-Titled
Calculating and sterile, Smoke Fairies’ eponymous new album opens with an old-school pop song wrapped in a Feist guise, called “We’ve Seen Birds.” A solid song to be sure, though perhaps a bit misleading, as none of the songs afterward reach its delirious heights and joy. … read more
Reviews: Small Black – Real People EP
Imaginative, youthful and perfectly synthesized, Small Black gives us a shining example of how the chillwave and lo-fi genres are supposed to sound. While Real People offers us only a small taste of their delightfully nostalgic romance, it’s dense enough that you can keep listening to it and find something new each time. … read more
Reviews: Sleep – Oregon Failure
“Thrift Shop” did more than provide an anthem for white tweenagers who don’t otherwise enjoy hip-hop. It also inspired artists like Sleep (not to be confused with the rock band) to make rap so terrible that Vanilla Ice seems legit by comparison. … read more
Reviews: Rodrigo Amarante – Cavalo
The feel of this album is enchanting and ethereal. Portrayed through several songs being sung in Portuguese, it is also present in the richness and vibrancy of Amarante’s songwriting. … read more
Reviews: The Rich Hands – Out of My Head
This angst-filled power-pop coupled with bubblegum rock n’ roll is catchy and energetic. Bringing on memories of when pop was good, they reintroduce lyrical simplicity, while brandishing the snotty teenager attitude of a rock n’ roller. … read more
Reviews: Red Death – Demo 2014
This DC punk/thrash extravaganza features current/former members of Zoom, Intent, Protestor and Coke Bust. This demo takes gravelly cues from Discharge, the “bandana thrash” bands of the early millennium and even DC coremen of yore … … read more
