Dustin Wong’s latest album isn’t so much a collection of sixteen songs as much as it is an intricate, delicate sixty-minute musical experience.
Chopstick’s second release for the label is a powerful masterpiece that deserves attention, not only from the noise contingent, but from the modern classical and ambient electronic corners as well.
Don’t let the pimped-out cover fool you; Andre Williams’ latest is a stripped-down affair that pairs down the braggadocio and highlights the man’s greatest ability: storytelling.
Ambiguous words among artfully framed mountains: The art of interpreting cover art.
A half-dozen songs on this digital EP find that Zach Rogue’s “side project” Release the Sunbird is growing comfortably into a very fine band.
One shouldn’t need prodding to listen to this abundantly melodic EP with just the proper amount of fuzz.
Shouldn’t our survival instinct guard against music that weakens the body even as it strengthens the soul?
Australian instrumental rock trio return after several years, and though not an overwhelming return to form, it’s still a welcome return.
Good old-fashioned glam rock is alive and well – or at least its spirit is, as that’s what powers the delightfully decadent Prima Donna.
Northern California’s Liver Cancer deliver something that’s almost more an old hardcore punk record than a typical noise album.
Hot on the heels of their comeback, the brothers Brewis release a wonderful album. Their music still sounds like XTC, but not necessarily in the way you expect…
The UK quartet’s cheerful mix of Blue Cheer acid thuggery, Black Sabbath occult whimsy and Motörhead power riffing sounds tailor-made for headbangers of every stripe.
Some artists can’t describe the complexities of love with less than 69 songs. Rosie Thomas only needs ten songs to do the same.
As indicated by the title, _ Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II_ is a sequel to Earth‘s identically-named 2011 opus.
The Melismatics are so palatable that even the most sour critic will have a tough time not becoming enamored with their irresistible brand of indie pop.
Adamson gives as much prominence to hooks and melodies as to groove and ambience, putting his cool croon front and center in the arrangements.
Here, two bands from different extreme metal genres from different parts of the globe collaborate by supplying each other with percussion tracks.
If you come across a band called Behold! The Monolith (complete with exclamation point), you can probably be assured you’re not going to hear flutes, choirs or a lush string section.
Shearwater’s eighth album Animal Joy is a sonic departure from their previous work, while a reissue of their third album, Winged Life, is a highlight from whence they came.
Hey, can you feel it, the way it sways you, the hum in your chest?
Ultimately, the question for American fans is: can his voice still cut it?
Shifting back away from the heavier rock of their latest LP, this release delivers some mostly excellent results.
Despite the numerous guest stars, make no mistake. This is very much a Sharon Van Etten album.
The songs don’t so much soar as swirl, but with a grounded center that emphasizes hooks over atmosphere.
The most notable Le Bon in music since Simon. His last name was pure fashion; Cate might not consider herself The Good, but she certainly comes across as musically devout.
After whetting my appetite with the strong Great Britain 7“EP, The London Diehards have delivered a full-length that displays their brute strength in all its boot-kicking glory.
Somewhere in the middle of Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden, if you will.
A collection of on-the-road demos for The Lemonheads’ underrated Come On Feel The Lemonheads highlights the magic that is Evan Dando.
The album is supposed to evoke the feeling of the end of a relationship. And since it is not as fun as the start led me to believe, I guess that makes sense.
Those expecting the high-octane hard rock of Deep Purple from Roger Glover’s fifth solo album will be surprised, but not disappointed.
Every time I think I’ve plumbed the depths of this city’s wellsprings of great music, something like cassette labels Kinnta and Hobo Cult pop out, all explosions and rainbows with a whole batch of amazing.
Though there are light r’n‘b touches on a few of these songs, this is ultimately a singer-songwriter album and a great one at that.
Clearly this is an album made by 40 somethings instead of 20 somethings.
Shape Shifter is truly a jewel in the craft of Komodo’s (nee Matthew Burton) oeuvre. Originally known as Subluna, Burton’s established a global reputation for roof-raising live sets and enjoys a local rep for nurturing an aspect of the dubstep/bass scene since it’s inception into the Canadian east coast scene.
Philadelphia-based Dr. Dog’s sixth album finds the band at their most mature-sounding, leaping far beyond their previous work.
In our jaded times, Young Jesus proves that Home can be where the heart is.
Some people like their punk rock to look a certain way and sound a certain way. That’s fine, don’t waste your time here.
Austin, Texas rockers The Strange Boys tone down the garage, turn up the piano, and make a wonderful little retro-pop record.
The album is good on the whole but the band’s celestial aura is fading.
Though others may disagree, I think that this album is a mix of good and not so good.
This is exactly what it says it is.
Identical twins from Ottawa, Rob and Peter Johnson wove a heavy duty tapestry on this tasty little four song 7” EP as Shahman. Occupying and interstitial space between math-y and slow paced Shellac dream-time and burned out early Mogwai post-rock, the corona of cathartic but eloquent screaming and metallic breaks in each song drive this boat over the proverbial mountain.
This exhaustive compendium of prolific punk weirdness documents 25 years of uncompromisingly off kilter songs by The American Devices.
Bristol-based band’s debut album is something out of this world. No, really.
Applying old-school business sense to the modern music market, this EP is available as a free downloadable single of sorts through Eleventh Key to promote Wrath of Typhon’s full-length, Speak from the Fire.
Neverever’s new EP will come into your life for a brief moment, then fly away, leaving you heartbroken but all the richer for having experienced it.
Al Jourgensen’s country alter ego has delivered his best non-Ministry effort in ages.
Who knew Black Widow‘s 1970 occult rock LP Sacrifice would become such a sacred text?
McGraw has described the process of making this album of covers as “the art of selling out,” and he makes admirable work of it. The song selection for Popular Music runs the gamut from guilty pleasure to hidden treasure, with surprising depth and personality.
Leader Rob Carlyle‘s long-simmering brainchild boasts all the sex, sin and sleaze we’d expect from the purveyors of the song “Big Fat Sexy Mama.”
