Issues: Issue 310 - October 2014
Review: Human Cull – Stillborn Nation
I love discovering new bands by random occurrences. Human Cull made its way to me through a physical promo of the CD sent to SLUG Mag. This UK grind band surprised the shit out of me. … read more
Review: Jack White – Lazaretto
Ever since the release of Blunderbuss in 2012, Jack White’s solo career has been very unpredictable and almost a major step away from everything else he was doing in his various bands. That’s reflected greatly in Lazaretto, where White’s style has morphed to be a pseudo country/blues/garage rock theme that sounds far more enthralling than anything he did in the previous decade. … read more
Local Review: TelePathiQ – Dark Room EP
In just three songs, TelePathiQ packs enough intensity for a full-length album. Booming drums are silhouetted by classical riffs of piano and paired with female vocals. … read more
Local Review: Socialists – Self-Titled LP/Hasta La Rock EP
Now here’s a couple of good, old-fashioned leftist punk rock releases, by local band the Socialists. You might want to call this group more of a “collective.” They are true to their beliefs enough that they include “Praise Boss,” with lyrics by the Australian IWW from the early 1900s and “This Little Scab” with lyrics by the Chicago IWW and Local 329 SEIU. … read more
Local Review: Replica Mine – Three Noble Truths
This album is split into three parts: Existence, Cause and Cessation. Incorporating both industrial and earthy sounds, Adam Harmon creates a rich and eclectic texture. The vocals have the grungy, distorted edge of the early ’90s, which contrast the earthy tones of the guitar and bass. … read more
Local Review: Patchz – Lightz Out
Lightz Out is a seven-track sampler of rap, hip-hop and R&B material, with different guest vocalists to break up the musical compositions. It begins with “Grounded,” a rap song featuring B Still, and moves right into a pretty, little R&B ditty on the second song, “Cry for Help.” … read more
Local Review: Mañanero – Self-Titled
I like lo-fi, but you might want to listen to this album on some high-quality speakers. In my car’s weak sound system, I was ready to give up on Mañanero, but at home, I had much less trouble making it through the album. … read more
Local Review: Matt Nida – Explorer
Immaculately produced and incredibly sharp, Matt Nida’s latest release, Explorer, pays homage to the cosmic gods with sounds and themes that reflect the deep, dark reaches of outer space. … read more
Local Review: Kemp. – Empty.
“Emo raps perfected,” boasts Kemp. on “Cougar Tails.” It’s a striking moment on a record that does get, well, emotional. Still, that line works on a couple of levels—as both a raison d’être and an endearing moment of self-deprecation. … read more
Local Review: James Junius – moth,wing,dream
A fluttery work of ambience, moth,wing,dream, evokes images of a flickering light in a cabin or a midnight walk through a cemetery. It could be a soundtrack for a horror film with its hushed chords and sci-folk vocals. “Lake Days” is composed in the style of Morrissey, with simple synth guitar and repetitive, gloomy lyricism.
… read more