Chris Bell has been writing about music online for the better part of a decade, contributing articles to websites like 411mania, Earbuddy, Alphabet Bands, Buzz & Howl, and Syffal (though his proudest moment is as a one-time guest on the radio program Sound Opinions). His work in ‘music journalism’ actually started as an undergraduate in college. While working as a DJ at the campus radio station, he wrote a paper about the impact of Bob Dylan’s lyrical rhetoric on the New Left political movement of the late 60’s. That paper was eventually presented on a music-themed panel at the National Communication Association’s annual convention (in which, Chris was the only undergraduate presenting research). Since then, Chris has written about everything from garage punk to classic bop jazz. He currently resides in his hometown of Kansas City and is working on compiling a book of top ten lists about music. He also plans on being the only one to read it.
A London trio mine some of punk’s greatest heroes in this debut LP.
The Underground Railroad to Candyland is a gloriously democratic, technicolor chaos machine.
Four skater kids from Baltimore create a bunch of loud, dumb fun on their debut.
This Brooklyn quartet make loud garage rock for fans of breathing oxygen (and maybe a little nitrous).
California psychedelic pop that hits the sweet spot from former Fling frontman Dustin Lovelis.
The Chicago legend returns with his most accessible (and best) solo album yet.
Du Blonde are coming at ya with a brass pair to remember.
If you want straight up, raw-edged rock songs, Torres has got ‘em.
Canadian folk music brings you a little faith in humanity.
Warning. You must wear big black shades while listening to this album.
The final album from Rhode Island’s Brown Bird send the group off with a bang.
A Canadian folk singer with some serious chutzpah. We really just wanted to use the word ‘chutzpah’.
New York songwriter Ambrosia Parsley returns after a hiatus with a porridge that is just right.
New Yorkers go back to basics on this new collection.
An American expat in Vienna turns out great modern punk music that owes to your parents’ record collection.
Denton, TX produces a quintet that is blending the lines between rock and pop on their fourth LP.
Another Scottish folk album? Really? Yup and this one is a doozy.
Omnivore keeps rolling with a stellar unreleased recorded performance from music legend Dion.
Los Angeles trio Marriages revive the dark sludge of Robert Smith for modern audiences.
Watch as the self-titled debut from American Wrestlers help Chris define a whole new genre.
Psychedelic, proggy, cosmic slop from Japan hits the soul like a hot cup of coffee in the morning.
Twenty four years in and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is still proving that they know how to kick out the jams.
Seth Avett. Jessica Lea Mayfield. Elliott Smith. Get the hankies out.
Imagine if you will, The Violent Femmes are a bar band in the Delta…
What happens when you put a Dylan Thomas reference, English angst, and a star-making vocal performance in a blender? That’s impossible. Those things aren’t material.
