Issues: Issue 302 - February 2014
Local Review: The Fission Breakers – Interaction
Just a turn right of psychedelic and a throwback to the crotch rock of the ’60s and ’70s, Interaction has swagger to spare, even if it is sometimes derailed by a harmful devotion to The Doors.
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Local Review: The Hollering Pines – Long Nights, Short Lives...
It is characterized by upbeat and bluesy tracks like “Cadillac” and more old-country and modern folk songs like “Something on My Mind.” It may be the haunting poetic lyrics, or the cool, collective twang, but either way, these country folk are sure to keep your foot bouncing and your head swaying from start to finish.
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Local Review: Simian Greed – Self-Titled
The album opens with the bass-heavy “Epic,” a song that took a moment to grow on me. What I initially took to be butt-rock vocals were in fact Lee Ving–styled yells and croons. “Different Circles” has the same aspects of Ving-meets-Danzig vocals. … read more
Local Review: Rotten Musicians – Rotten Musicians Turn Into Escaped...
Almost every short two-minute track starts with an intro about newly morphed zoo animals that vaguely reminds me of Deltron 3030, followed by simple loops, synth sounds and a super catchy hook in “MaMMals.”
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Local Review: Null – Break The Spell
This stuff was groan-inducing the first time I heard it, strolling through Zuccotti Park a few years back. (I think I have a hand signal to show how much I like it, too.) … read more
Local Review: Perish Lane – Destroy The Skies
This getup is a strong example of some good alt-thrash-rock in a well-produced and beautifully packaged full length. They write some sweet guitar solos on tracks like “Awaken the Fire” and “Twenty Seven,” but the strongest song on this album, hands down, is “Farewell.” … read more
Local Review: m.duby – Tha Come UP
A self-described “musical genius and hip-hop aficionado,” m.duby has no lack of confidence as an aspiring artist in a city with a fairly small hip-hop scene—he’s even started his own label. … read more
Local Review: Insufferable Noise Machine – 7OTX (Part 1 and...
This two-disc release is full of so many different styles, it falls into a category of its own. It’s a mixture of soothing, psychedelic surf guitar, sudden bursts of white noise and death metal with growling “Cookie Monster” lyrics. … read more
Local Review: Joshua James – Well, Then, I’ll Go To...
I listened to this album six or seven times before I realized it—30 seconds into the second track, “Broke”—these are all Modest Mouse covers. Jesus, I am slow. But doesn’t that speak to how great Joshua James is?
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Local Review: Christopher Alvarado – Ancient Doors
There are three optimal environments for Christopher Alvarado’s newest album, Ancient Doors: the reception area of a yoga studio, a crystal shop, and exploring the rich digital worlds of MYST. … read more