Music
Review: Natural Child – Dancin’ With Wolves
Is this the Return of the Grievous Angel? Not quite. While the broad strokes of Cosmic American Music are present here, Natural Child come well short of Gram Parson’s territory, instead sounding like the fat trimmed off Exile on Main St. being gargled by Tom Petty. … read more
Review: Morgan Delt – Self-titled
Though this album might call to mind Morgan Delt’s contemporaries like Ty Segall and Tim Presley—perhaps even their collaborative effort, Hair—there is something much more methodical taking place on this record. … read more
Review: Matt Pond PA – The Lives Inside the Lines...
While a good chunk of Matt Pond PA’s repertoire can be a bit melancholic, The Lives maintains the more catchy and upbeat side of their work (aside from the song “Human Beings,“ which came across as a drawl). … read more
Review: Marram – Sun Choir
Let me just tell you, first, how much work was put into this album. Sun Choir features the children of the Light of Love Children’s Home, along with 10 other artists, including Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire and Scottish folk singer Margaret Bennett. … read more
Review: The Lawrence Arms – Metropole
Keep in mind, diehards—it’s been eight long years since The Lawrence Arms released a full-length album. In that time, they were signed to Fat Wreck Chords and cultivated a sound similar to Dwarves. Now, through Epitaph, they have released an album that shows a more dynamic approach toward their music. … read more
Review: Jack Name – Light Show
This album is a toxic concoction of psychedelic, guitar-driven, experimental “adios motherfucker,” which needs to be experienced with full attention. The album tells a story that appears to be chaotic and complicated as it sifts through many genres. However, listening to the gems makes it bearable, like “Do The Shadow,” which is full of energy. … read more
Review: The Hidden Cameras – AGE
My personal favorite part of this venture is the incorporation of string instruments (both the violin and cello) into a synth-heavy sound. This provides an organic sound to complement, as well as contradict, the robotics of the spacey noises. … 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
February 2014 National Music Reviews
February 2014 National Music Reviews … read more
Review: Aan – Amor Ad Nauseum
The first track promised that I was in for something gritty and dark with some snarling, stiff-lipped vocal work—but it lied. The band is great at making lightly psychedelic pop love songs, but they’re definitely their best when they give them an edge. … read more
Review: Adrian Krygowski – Roam
After two previous records (Road on the Left, Hope For Us), Krygowski and the band dedicated seven tracks to a soulful consciousness, both instrumentally and vocally. They combine the fiddle, guitar and drums to give each track different musical stresses. Roam is truly an expressive album and will evoke similar emotions in its listeners. … read more
Review: Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues
Though there are a few stinkers, Transgender Dysphoria Blues actually isn’t horrible. “Drinking With The Jocks” and “Osama Bin Laden As The Crucified Christ” kick ass like the Eternal Cowboy and Searching days, and “Two Coffins” is the most paralyzing song I have heard in a long time. … read more
