Pete Yorn has always had a well tapped keg of emotional prose in his music. But he has never poured something as personally smooth as his latest single “Don’t Wanna Cry”. With an entirely new outlook on songwriting and composure, Back and Fourth (due out June 23rd), Yorn’s first album in three years, is sure to be an exhilarating release for fans and new listeners alike. Read More »Pete Yorn: Don’t Wanna Cry [pReview]
Some folks would say that former Governor Blagojevich is simply a nut job who handles money worse than a 4 year old with their father’s unlicensed fire arm. And it would be hard to disagree. Even the recently released and soon to be worst President in history handled duties as Governor more appropriately. But, it can not be denied that Blagojevich’s situation makes for great indie rock song material. Power, controversy, and Oprah Winfrey are always wonderful topics. And Golden Bloom’s frontman Shawn Fogel gave ole Rod exactly what he deserves – sixty seconds of raw mentioning on “Your Minute of Fame.” Read More »Golden Bloom: Your Minute Of Fame [Feature Artist]
The Inevitable Backlash may have calmed down a bit on their second release, My Two Brookes, as far as constant intensity is concerned. But don’t dare say they have gone soft. You might catch a stolen bass guitar to the teeth. Their energy is the same as it ever has been. But, this traumatic threesome (four, if you include special guest the multi-talented Jason Borger on keys) is bringing the punk scene to it’s thighs with the new experimentation’s of garage rock, surf, and of course, the “I just nailed your sister while you were vomiting in the kitchen” punk movement. Read More »The Inevitable Backlash: My Two Brookes [Album Review]
The Walking is a properly named moniker for the endlessly roving singer/songwriter Arman Augusto, and the experimental laced Wanderings and Distractions sounds like a beautiful collaboration between man, earth, and existence. The album was recorded in multiple locations, from up and down the west coast all the way out to Cape Cod, and it really does show throughout it’s run-time. This superb travel diary of the mind is a real have-backpack-will-follow piece of excellence. Read More »The Walking: Wanderings And Distractions [Album Review]
Something strange and fresh has shown it’s face(s) in the streets of Montreal. And it can only be seen through Beast (MySpace), a collaboration of two of the most amazing French experimentalists, Jean-Phi Goncalves (drummer for Plaster, producer of Lauryn Hill) and the malefic and taunting songstress Betty Bonifassi (of The Triplets of Belleville soundtrack recognition). This transcending duo is creating something entirely new that is retrospectively reminiscent of something that quite can’t be described. Read More »Beast: Mr. Hurricane [pReview]
It almost seems unfathomable to think that young people would give a sweet damn about traditional bluegrass. But, The Lost Pines (MySpace) have proven those living inside the box completely wrong. Middle Of The Morning is straight down to earth, Texas good timin’ tunes. Like a batch of Woodie Guthrie followers from the sixties, a new craze is being built. One banjo pluck at a time. Read More »The Lost Pines: Middle Of The Morning [Album Review]
My oh my, what a fun record! With more ups than downs, Portland’s Derby has created a happy go lucky classic album with Posters Fade. These guys are about a dozen RPM’s shy from being a pop punk group. A truly personal sound. It would be wise of them to keep said pace, considering they already have folks clapping wildly when they perform along the west coast. And more shall (as some have) do the same across the globe. Read More »Derby: Posters Fade [Album Review]
Loud, aggressive, and…….melodic? Describing This Fair City is almost impossible. But, their less than self-conscious vibe grabs a hold of you and demands your full attention. It is almost like a euphoric drug spills from the speakers when you pop in Broken Surfaces. Visions of pirate ships and wintry battlefields appear with drums crashing as soldiers of normalcy fall. Or anything similar.
Read More »This Fair City: Broken Surfaces [Album Review] 
Super XX Man, pronounced “Super Double X Man,” is bringing the Portland folk scene to it’s knees. His less than ambient yet less than standard folky vibes bring a surprisingly different view to the expected one man, one guitar (with the occasional tambourine or ukulele) that has become so common in the underworld of the overtly acoustic, and financially challenged City of Roses. Read More »Super XX Man: There’ll Be Diamonds [Album Review]
There are many aspects about Paul Turner’s bluesy folk that have been heard before. But, many of these characteristics are truly from his own inspiration. And with a deep throated vocal capacity and a nature-inspired collection of guitar melodies, this Australian born singer/songwriter has created a superb collection of artistically inclined tracks with his debut album Clear Blue. Read More »Paul Turner: Clear Blue [Album Review]
