Music
Review: Kid Cudi – Indicud
Not masculine enough for gangsta rap, and not clever enough for backpack rap, Kid Cudi is akin to the middle school kid who discovered schwag, constantly reminding you that he loves weed. He removes all of the self-destructive wonder from drug use that rap, as a construct, has worked so hard to instill. … read more
Review: Jonny Manak and the Depressives – I Am Not...
Johnny Manak and the Depressives = The Von Bondies + The Dead Boys + The Ventures
Before the first track of I Am Not A Bum… I’m A Jerk ended, I held the vinyl’s cover next to the DVD case of Steve Martin’s The Jerk to confirm their visual likeness. … read more
Review: JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – Howl
You know, I’m a fan of groups that have a “throwback” or “revivalists” label, I just beg that the product you serve up stands tall and offers something stellar. Howl, the third album from Chicago soul revivalists, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, however, does not. … read more
Review: James Younger – Feelin American
Manchester native James Younger crafted his debut album after hitchhiking across America––how Jack Kerouac of him––and writing 11 pop rock songs about his experiences on the road. … read more
Review: Human Eye – 4: Into Unknown
I’ve been into fuzz for a while now, but the tone of the guitar’s thick, audible padding, scattered throughout 4: Into Unknown, scratch deep—enough to trigger inner-ear ASMR tingles. Throughout the album and especially in “Surface of Pluto,” the wah of the guitar solos sound like they came straight from The Stooges’ Fun House. … read more
Review: How to Destroy Angels – Welcome Oblivion
With a name referencing an early Coil song and featuring industrial (hair)god Trent Reznor, how could this not be good? … read more
Review: Haraball – Sleep Tall
Europe has produced many great hardcore bands, and by all accounts, Haraball should sound of a feather with OFF!, and in most regards they do. … read more
Reviews: Hands – Synesthesia
This band might end up being way popular, that doesn’t mean they are any good though. Every song is a radio-friendly bright and upbeat pop song. … read more
Review: Grabass Charlestons – Dale and the Carreeners
Grabass Charlestons did some growing up ladies and gents. I’m not the first person to say this and I don’t care, they should be praised for an album well done. Their earlier work is slightly juvenile in its content and simple three chord riffs. … read more
Review: Ghost B.C. – Infestissumam
This new set of hymns from the highly praised Ghost B.C. has been even more bustled about than the bands debut Opus Eponymous. … read more
Review: El Ten Eleven – Transitions Remixed
It’s very interesting to see what artists can produce from another artist’s original track. Transitions Remixed is a fresh and interesting play on El Ten Eleven’s 2012 album. … read more
Review: Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ – Songs From The Psychedelic Clock
Typically, if you were a fan of early fundamentalist punk bands (e.g. The Ramones, The Stooges) then at one time or another you would’ve at least heard of Drivin’ N Cryin’ as a relative recommendation. … read more
