Album Reviews

The Heligoats / Sam Humans: Live Free & Let Loose [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
January 27, 2011January 24, 2011

Split releases are always a love-hate thing for me. On the love side, I’m always introduced to a new artist, such as Sam Humans in this case. Humans’ music is a modern style of biting folk rock, filled with wild guitar riffs. “Hate Is The New Love” begins this process with interesting, angular chords, which is heightened with eccentricities and improvised ferocity of “Firedrill”. This song takes the cake, pulling out all the experimental folk brilliance of artists like Royal City or the master Vic Chesnutt himself. Read More »The Heligoats / Sam Humans: Live Free & Let Loose [Album Review]

Gem Club: Acid And Everything [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
January 26, 2011January 23, 2011

If there was anything that mesmerized me about last year’s We Built A Fire by Icelandic band Seabear, it was their ability to craft deep, heartfelt pop songs backed by heart-wrenching orchestral movements. At times their songs even come close to being upbeat. With Gem Club, upbeat isn’t an option. Like Seabear, Gem Club’s songs are orchestrated, but instead of percussion and guitars and full movements they focus solely on the strings of a cello and the keys of a piano. And they front the sounds these instruments make with wispy, longing vocals. Read More »Gem Club: Acid And Everything [Album Review]

Simon Goalpost: Embankment Verse [Album Review]

Ron Trembath
January 20, 2011January 18, 2011

From the late 80’s until the mid 90’s, the UK was at its pinnacle in the indie-pop punk community. Well, it might not be all historians telling it as such, but just ask those who were knee deep in the midst of the madness and they will surely say it was most definitely so. And a little group known as Thrilled Skinny might have always been name dropped at this time. Therefore, our hero Simon Goalpoast was undoubtedly the frontman behind one of the nation’s coolest acts. And now, for the first time, we have been blessed with a sultry yet sweet collection of beautiful indie pop tracks on Embankment Verse. Read More »Simon Goalpost: Embankment Verse [Album Review]

The Modern Skirts: Grammahawk [Album Review]

Ron Trembath
January 19, 2011January 19, 2011

In the past, The Modern Skirts have proved themselves to be one of the finest piano-laced indie pop groups in the western hemisphere. But, to be so damn good really seems to come with a price. The dreaded pigeon-holing effect becomes a factor. And any real artist, or avid listener, knows that this could very well mean the death of wonderful musical acts. The Skirts blasted out of nowhere in 2005 with an album that everyone couldn’t stop loving. In 2008, they stepped their game up once again with one of the finest indie pop albums of last decade. They even managed to get one of their most popular tracks on the video game Rockband 2. So, is all this well earned respect a bad thing? One entire sitting with their latest album, Grammahawk, might very well proved the answer really is – Yes. And No! Read More »The Modern Skirts: Grammahawk [Album Review]

White Wishes: Today [Album Review]

Cyndi
January 17, 2011January 17, 2011

Berlin based band White Wishes have created some smooth songs; tunes that feel good and flow effortlessly. Their 4-track E.P. Today (via Shelflife records) is a delicious listen from beginning to end, full of irresistible hooks, hazy vocals, and clean instrumentals. Pulsing and progressive, these guys have balanced that tricky line between loose and focused. Read More »White Wishes: Today [Album Review]

Bardo Pond: Bardo Pond [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
January 12, 2011January 8, 2011

Bardo Pond is somewhat of a mystery. “Don’t Know About You” features epic soundscapes ringing with loud guitars and borderline grunge female vocals, a sound that is stunning at the very least. Then there are songs like “Sleeping” which dive into more minimal, loopy instrumentation, focusing on echoing soundscapes and flute melodies. Read More »Bardo Pond: Bardo Pond [Album Review]

Distractions: Dark Green Sea [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
January 11, 2011January 8, 2011

Distractions plays an intense style of pop that’s dark and brooding. Amidst ringing guitars and synths is front-man Tom Owens’ deep tenor vocals. They would seem to dominate Dark Green Sea, but they do not; instead they complement and occasionally contrast with the instrumentation that accompany them. If anything, Distractions’ sound is a nod to Scott Walker’s weirdness, with the epic greatness of Phil Spectre’s early work, all while enclosing it in an 80s post-punk sound. Read More »Distractions: Dark Green Sea [Album Review]

Father Murphy: No Room For The Weak [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
January 10, 2011January 7, 2011

A while back, someone sent me a little four-song EP by Father Murphy called No Room For The Weak. Father Murphy’s style of post-rock is hypnotic and orchestral, and it borders on folk much like that of Thee Silver Mt. Zion. But it’s more abrasive with hints of outlandishness; it’s eerie and near psychotic at times. That’s why it’s been sitting dormant for a month or two — I needed to get in the right frame of mind to play it. Read More »Father Murphy: No Room For The Weak [Album Review]

Death And Vanilla: Death And Vanilla [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
January 6, 2011January 3, 2011

Death And Vanilla came to my attention early last year after they put out a digital single on Beko Records. What was once a free EP now has a solid release under the newly formed Hands In The Dark Records. Dreamy and psychedelic at its core, Death And Vanilla’s pop also borders on electronic. Read More »Death And Vanilla: Death And Vanilla [Album Review]

The Memorials: The Memorials [Album Review]

Ron Trembath
January 4, 2011April 28, 2023

No one can, or should even try to, deny that Thomas Pridgen is to drums what Mick Portnoy believes he is to drums. His track record speaks for itself. But, who would have thought that, after leaving The Mars Volta, this prestigious man would go beyond his self and develop his own project that would go on a hunt for that long lost thing we used to call rock n roll. His year-old project, The Memorials might just be a strange bit of Alice Cooper meets Jimi Hendrix, with a Blondie-esque lead songstress. Now, that’s pretty damn rock n’ roll.

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