Music
Review: The Shrine – Bless Off
I’ve kept The Shrine at arm’s length for some time, mostly because I get annoyed when 16-year-old nu-metallers-turned-skaters try to “educate” me on Sabbath (my first intro to this band), but also because I’m a huge, gutless jerk who doesn’t get into stuff unless he thinks HE discovered it first. … read more
Review: The She’s – Dreamers
Smack on some lip gloss, grab an ice cream cone and head down to the beach with Dreamers as your soundtrack. This three-piece gal band is perfect for summer tunes, with garage pop-punk melodies to get you bouncing as you skip around and smile about how great your life is. … read more
Review: September Girls – Cursing the Sea
This full-length debut album is a DIY-style reverb mash-up of ’60s girl groups and ’80s New Wave, and comes from Dublin noise pop group September Girls. … read more
Review: Rough Hausen – The Medicated Generation
Rough Hausen is the latest project from Jeff Stoddard, former guitarist for Frontline Assembly. While there are elements of his past contributions on The Medicated Generation, it definitely utilizes harder synth beats and heavily distorted guitar in the vein of Gravity Kills. … read more
Review: Ringworm – Hammer of the Witch
At this point, Ringworm’s greatest testament is their longevity, having been steadily grinding away since ‘98, crafting a stream of excellent records while most of their contemps have opted for the quick cash of a reunion spot. … read more
Review: Reverend Horton Heat – REV
Anyone who knows Jim Heath knows that there’s no greater friend to rock n’ roll. Reverend Horton Heat have been wowing audiences with rockabilly virtuosity that nothing else compares to. … read more
Review: PUP – Self-Titled
With an even blend of punk, indie and garage rock, PUP have created a sound all to themselves with their self-titled debut. An overall enticing album, it employs heavy distortion contrasting with lighter, cleaner vocals playing both fast and slow when appropriate. … read more
Review: Protomartyr – Under Color of Official Right
The intro to Under Color of Official Right might trick you into thinking you’re listening to neo-beach music on par with The Drums. Although the surf-reverberated guitar continues through the first track, the lyrics—sounding as if they’re sung through inflamed vocal chords—shatter the expectations of the surf rock genre. … 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: Pink Mountaintops – Get Back
Vancouver indie post-punk (for lack of a better term) band Pink Mountaintops’ past members include members of everything from experimental bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor to psych troupes The Warlocks to the heavy purveyors Black Mountain. … read more
Review: Picastro – You
This album embodies everything I love about experimental music. You communicates what I like to call “black folk.” … 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
