BASTARDS SIBERIAN HARDCORE CD Propaganda Records While Appendix showed varied songwriting and influences from ’77 punk to proto-hardcore, Bastards stuck mostly to fast Discharge-inspired ‘core with few slow or melodic parts. Discharge has inspired tons of generic-ass punk bands, but Bastards have chops that make their songs interesting and memorable despite the faster pace. This
BELLA MORTE SONGS FOR THE DEAD Metropolis I’ve never bought into the idea that Bella Morte were a traditional goth band; they always seemed a bit more based in punk rock and Songs for the Dead emphasizes that by turning down the keyboards and upping the guitars for a sound that is more representative of
Thanks to the ADD-enriching convenience of Internet music applications, today’s pop music culture has become overly saturated with boorish indie musicians who think success is more contingent on who-you-know instead of what-you-know; opting for that over talent. This is why it’s such a delight to come across a no-nonsense diamond in the rough like Beat Radio. … read more
rance’s Beat Mark invoke the lazy, Brit-pop sound of the mid-80s with their debut album, Howls of Joy, 13 rushed tracks that leave much to be desired in the world of tone and song structure. … read more
With the Gothenburg Swedish melodic death metal scene a shadow of what it once was, melodic death metal’s torch is being held by band outside the Swedish Circle, such as Be’Lakor from Australia. … read more
You can’t help but foil bands whenever you’re faced with a split. There is no better band between the two—the only victor in this split is the audience. … read more
When a single overridden guitar chord introduces the 10-second snare-drum-roll opening “I Wanna Be Forgotten” (the first track), the endless 15-second snare-intro of Cheap Time’s “Living In The Past” comes to mind. … read more
Even if you’ve never heard of Boston musician Barrence Whitfield, as soon as the opening track “The Corner Man” begins, you know he’s a seasoned veteran of the blues and rock and roll. … read more
Belle Adair = Iron and Wine + My Morning Jacket / Peter Bjorn and John … read more
Equally as haunting as it is soothing, Listen To My Nerves Hum is perfect for any ambient lover with bipolar tendencies. … read more
There is something significantly and singularly charming about the low-fi melodies Beaten To Death employs alongside genre staples like pig squeals, demon growls and face-blasting double bass. … read more
For me, when I thought of reckless, social commentary ska-punk, bands like Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish came to mind—now I can officially add Be Like Max to that list, though I had trouble getting into this album with its first two tracks. … read more
