With easily the most unconventional name of any band I’ve ever reviewed, Diarrhea Planet is also one of the most conventional-sounding bands I’ve reviewed. … read more
Reviews: Dawes – Stories Don’t End
Perhaps the single factor that sets this album apart from Dawes’ first two releases is the level of production. … read more
Reviews: Ellie Herring – Kite Day
The greatest genius of Kite Day, Herring’s second proper release, is the subtle percolation of trends in avant-garde and pop electronics, hip hop production and current DJ/mixtape culture. … read more
Reviews: Elf Power – Sunlight on the Moon
Elf Power are excellent at crafting psychedelic sounds that mesh every possible influence from the ’60s, all while dancing on the edge of pop and still retaining a warm, lo-fi buzz that adds patina to the production sheen. … read more
Reviews: DevilDriver – Winter Kills
This is definitely DevilDriver’s strongest record in years—a complete maelstrom of throat-ripping screams over thick, thumping double-bass and heavy guitar licks that can’t help but demand your attention. … read more
Reviews: Dead in the Dirt – The Blind Hole
This is one of the most angry and downright filthy releases I’ve heard in many moons, managing to stuff 22 songs into roughly 20 minutes. … read more
Reviews: Deafheaven – Sunbather
Beyond words and beyond genres, Sunbather is a transcendent collection of music that simultaneously channels a wide spectrum of emotion. … read more
Reviews: Industrial Park – Self-Titled
I had to change the drive wheel on my turntable to listen to Industrial Park, and wasn’t looking forward to taking the time unless the experience would be worthwhile. … read more
Reviews: Hot Water Music – Live in Chicago
Hot Water Music = Small Brown Bike + Avail + Polar Bear Club
Recorded live over two nights shortly after these raspy-voiced rapscallions reunited following a two-year hiatus, Live in Chicago is an amazing document for hardcore HWM fans. … read more
Reviews: Highway Cross – Run Dry
Highway Cross sound like a grown up hardcore punk band. There are moments that have glimmers of Dag Nasty or Hüsker Dü in the eight minutes of charging guitars over semi-harsh vocals. … read more
Reviews: Hawthorne Heights – Zero
Featuring their first foray into concept album territory, it’s too bad that the dystopia-themed lyrics don’t form the most coherent concept in the world, and it’s all fairly forgettable in the long run. … read more
Reviews: Havok – Unnatural Selection
Havok’s rocked a cut above the feckless ‘80s imitators since day one, shamelessly copping chunks of top-tier bay area mayhem into their casserole, while freely adding their own ingredients. … read more
