Maybe it is the thinly veiled (read: shitty) heroin metaphors, or maybe it is the surprisingly sexy female bass player from A Perfect Circle and Zwan, but despite the decent melodies and engaging psychedelic-surf guitars, this album seems dated and uncool. … read more
I would have really liked this band when I was a shoplifting, dumpster-diving 19-year-old. Alex Wrekk, author of Stolen Sharpie Revolution and the Brainscan zine, fronts this novelty band that plays lo-fi pop punk songs about zines—a must-listen if you like DIY punk shit. … read more
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
If you haven’t at least gone through Gaslight’s more polished releases, this is not for you, and is not designed to be your first Gaslight experience. They take a shot at The Rolling Stones’ “Tumbling Dice,” which is an uphill battle they manage quite well. … read more
It’s a straightforward rock n’ roll record with a punk vibe and a 1970s rock aftertaste. This is partly due to the addition of guitarist Steve Selvidge, and partly because the session was overseen by producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush). … read more
Hip-hop fans: Place this high on your listening priority. The Grouch & Eligh got their start the DIY way, and have been able to keep a steady fanbase without being attached to a label. … read more
The Honey Trees are more than musicians—they’re enchanters. Becky Flip, Jeremy Larson and Jacob Wick created an album that feels like it was produced in an enchanted forest, much like the one on the album’s cover. … read more
Blasting out with an ‘80s styled, pop-doused, garage-rock assault, The Forty Nineteens bring something different, yet very familiar, to the table. It is almost easy to overlook the notable tracks worth their weight during the initial listen. … read more
Online Architecture is one of the greatest synth-based records to grace my inbox this year. … read more
I’m not usually a fan of instrumental metal and most post-metal gives me rage-induced symptoms resembling a mix of dengue and dysentery. On The Steps Of The Temple has more heaviness to it than its brothers in the genre and on the first track, “Mountain,” I caught my head doing something resembling banging along to the death-metally riffs and double bass grooves on the drums. … read more
Chaotic and frenzied, France’s Stuntman packs an impressive amount into Incorporate the Excess. On its surface, this grind-influenced album would appear to be predominantly grind based, but with so many odd time signatures and syncopation, their assault is more calculated. … read more
The Antlers = Beach House + Panda Bear + The Antlers … read more
