Album Reviews

Sergius Gregory: Sounds Like People [Album Review]

Ron Trembath
April 10, 2011April 9, 2011

Somewhere deep in the forests of Homer, Alaska there must be some sort of euphoric yet catastrophic scenery. Knowing that Sergius Gregory recorded his debut album, Sounds Like People, in such desolate conditions actually brings much perspective to the organic and soothing sounds littered throughout the album. There seems to be a mixture of joy and pain that nobody but Sergius could truly explain; it has left a gaping hole in his work that allows us to make personal interpretations based on our own fears and emotions. What a swell gentleman you are Mr. Gregory! Read More »Sergius Gregory: Sounds Like People [Album Review]

Charles Leo Gebhardt IV: Begin Again [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
April 6, 2011April 3, 2011

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Seattle’s Charles Leo Gebhardt IV. Well, that’s not entirely true, as last year we got a debut full length from Unnatural Helpers. But his solo project under his own name has been quiet since the release of Unfaithful, the delightfully raw and fun EP from 2008. Begin Again is the new release and it maintains much of what we heard from that previous EP, albeit with a tiny bit more production. Read More »Charles Leo Gebhardt IV: Begin Again [Album Review]

Implodes: Black Earth [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
April 5, 2011April 2, 2011

Brutal insanity might be less dark than Black Earth by Implodes. Blending drone with hints of fuzz and immense, everlasting soundscapes, Implodes’ new album is a mysterious, intriguing work of art. It’s one thing to listen to Black Earth through speakers – it only gets better when imbibed through headphones. And I’d place a fair bet on it being something astonishing to take in live. Read More »Implodes: Black Earth [Album Review]

The Cold Open: Behind The Mattress [Album Review]

Ron Trembath
April 4, 2011February 24, 2022

It has to be said, The Cold Open is very deceiving with its name alone. With a name like this, it would be fair to expect to hear a deep rooted hate machine turning songs that are loud and possibly obnoxious in their own right. But when you pop in Behind The Mattress, it is not a blast of high energy dad-hating that you hear. No, this is actually a batch of happy-go-lucky, songwriter-oriented pop songs that are reminiscent to the likes of The New Radicals. But be happy for this deception. It might actually be a perfect fitting bit of irony for these Twin City aristocrats.

Crow Vs Lion: Rest Your Bones [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
April 1, 2011November 29, 2019

Rest Your Bones is a masterful album packed with instrumental talent, songwriting prowess and the ability to mesmerize in a way not often found in folk music.

Duchess Leo: Golden Gray [Album Review]

Cyndi
March 22, 2011March 17, 2011

Itâ€™s not too often an album hooks me in the first 15 seconds of the opening track. New York duo Duchess Leo (Daniel Ryan and Todd Buchler) has managed to do so however. Heavy and loose, stable and whimsical, clean and a little bit hazy their debut album Golden Gray is tightly woven music with just the right amount of contrasts. The opening song â€œYour Sweet Loveâ€ sets us up for a mix of sounds including ambient washes, lo-fi vocals and reverb, even a taste of early 90â€™s grunge. Read More »Duchess Leo: Golden Gray [Album Review]

Karl Blau: Golden Chariot [Single Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
March 21, 2011March 30, 2011

Karl Blau is a bit of a mad genius, like many of the folks creating music in Anacortes and it’s bigger brother Olympia. The music is grounded in genre influences like pop and folk, but it’s also a bit out there. It always has been. And you know, with artists as unique as Blau, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Golden Chariot is Blau’s latest offering and it comes in the form of a Dub Narcotic Disco Plate courtesy K Records, who will also release it as a 12″ EP. Read More »Karl Blau: Golden Chariot [Single Review]

Lohio: Family Tree [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
March 11, 2011March 7, 2011

Lohio is an indie-folk-pop band out of Pittsburgh, and they are often likened to Yo La Tengo and Sufjan Stevens. This should be no surprise ones you hear their playful orchestrated pop. The band has a new EP called Family Tree; five wonderfully catchy songs that you simply do not want to miss. The EP opens with “Leave The City, Leave Your Room”, a song with spirited piano dominance and beautiful harmony vocals from Greg Dutton and Liz Adams. It quickly becomes apparent that these traits are not only common on Family Tree, they are inherent in the music Lohio creates. Read More »Lohio: Family Tree [Album Review]

All Smiles: Staylow And Mighty [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
March 10, 2011March 9, 2011

If you’ve been hanging around a bit, you may recall All Smiles‘ Ten Readings Of A Warning from way back in 2007 (or their second LP that slipped by me in 2009). You may also recall that the project was fronted by the renowned Jim Fairchild of Modest Mouse and Grandaddy fame. Fairchild is back and this time he’s brought along a few friends – Joe Plumber (also of Modest Mouse), Gary Jarman (The Cribs) and Danny Seim (Menomena). That alone is worthy of a double-take. All Smiles’ third LP is called Staylow And Mighty, and it is available now for download and via the cherished vinyl format. Read More »All Smiles: Staylow And Mighty [Album Review]

Ryan Trott: Spirit Home [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
March 9, 2011March 5, 2011

Ryan Trott released my favorite 7″ Single of 2010. It wasn’t under the name given him by his parents; instead it was Family Trees’ Dream Talkin’. Trott is back and this time he’s going solo with an eight-song EP dubbed Spirit Home. If you loved the beachy pop Family Trees gave us, and the experimental garage pop of band-mate Son Of Rams, you’ll dig Trott’s solo stuff. Spirit Home is a bit more in the vein of Family Trees, packed with plenty of great lo-fi pop. Read More »Ryan Trott: Spirit Home [Album Review]

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