Sub Verses is Akron/Family’s densest, busiest and most undeniably rockist album to date. For these reasons, piled on top of their familiar vocal harmonization and expansive experimentation into the marriage of the limitless boundaries of electronic programming and the gnarled, woody heart of American rock n’ roll, Sub Verses makes the case for Akron/Family being one of the most vital groups working in rock music today. … read more
Review: Alkaline Trio
After 17 years and album after album, it’s likely that you’ve heard of Alkaline Trio, and you know what you’re getting into on My Shame Is True. … read more
Review: Alison Moyet – The Minutes
Usually, it takes the first phrasing from Moyet’s lips to hook me into a specific song, but as Guy Sigworth’s elegant electronics start on “Horizon Flame,” it is apparent that something exciting is at play. … read more
Review: All Pigs Must Die – Nothing Violates This Nature
All Pigs Must Die initiate Nothing Violates This Nature with the thrashy “Chaos Arise”—and it does! … read more
Review: Alison Moyet – Live At Bush Hall & Changeling EPs
A simple, clean take of “When I Was Your Girl” reminds us what a dynamic live singer Moyet is, while a gorgeously delicate reading of “Filigree”—sans backing vocals—is not to be missed. … read more
Review: Aloa Input – Anysome
The styles the trio of Aloa Input (Cico Beck, Florian Kreier and Marcus Grassl) play with are multifaceted in their variations, but despite such a wide variety between the songs, the common thread throughout Anysome remains positively tropical. … read more
Review: Alarms and Controls – Clovis Points
The vocals sound nerdy and a little more chatty than melodic in most places—it’s a little off-kilter, and pop hooks definitely aren’t their strong suits. That being said, they are great musicians—think of them as graduates from the “Omar Rodriguez-López School for Stoned Musicians.” … read more
Review: Alcest – Shelter
With drummer Winterhalter, Neige has left all ties to black metal behind with this release. From honey-laced harmonies on “Opale,” to meandering compositions on “Voix Sereines,” to the Halstead sung, Souvlaki-esque ballad “Away,” the album is filled with lush musical contemplations and triumphant melodies start-to-finish. … read more
Review: Alex Smoke – RS 1403
Alex Smoke does it again with a follow-up release to his 2013 Dust EP. This four-track EP is packed with minimal tech-house beats and industrial-influenced synths. … read more
Review: Ali Muhareb – Mujahedeen
Displaying proof of his musical flair, Ali Muhareb delivers his first solo album, Mujahedeen. Muhareb blends a layered, synth heavy, indie influenced psychedelic trip that is topped off by the combination of repetitive, fuzzed-out angelic vocals. … read more
Review: Allo Darlin’ – We Come From The Same Place
Following their debut’s charming pop smarts and Europe’s astonishing poise, Allo Darlin’ have returned with their third full-length, We Come From The Same Place, brought to the U.S. by indie powerhouse Slumberland Records. … read more
Review: Alison Moyet – minutes and seconds – Live
Alison Moyet = Janis Joplin + Dusty Springfield … read more
