Personal Space is the latest solo work by Justin Ripley, who not all too long ago gave us Just Just. From the opening notes of “The Gold Of Similar Sand”, we’re treated to a similar sound though it has a few more psychedelic sensibilities. The song gives the impression of minimalism, yet is packed with interesting riffs, catchy vocal hooks, and precisely placed instrumentation. Read More »Justin Ripley: Personal Space [Album Review]
His voice is soft. His soul seems calm. He is Doug Burr, one the latest artists to develop the prominent theory of using naturalism and a far from tyrannical use of expressions to create vibrant yet subtle songs that make you feel….well, they just make you feel. His third release, O Ye Devastator, proves to be a perfect continuation, as well as a reintroduction to this man who sings with such an ease it will leave you planted right where you are with a sensation to do nothing but listen. And listen close. Read More »Doug Burr: O Ye Devastator [Album Review]
Household Names is an almost too-perfect descriptor for an alternative pop group. And with this group’s extensive background of songs used in television appearances, it is even more appropriate. There was a time when groups like Soul Asylum or Gin Blossoms were the centerpieces for any given film or TV show. And now, Jason Garcia and crew have created the perfect songs for a speeding car shot, moment of clarity, or running-through-the-streets-in-a-hectic-fashion. And all can be found on their third self-released album Stories, No Names. Read More »Household Names: Stories, No Names [Album Review]
Get ready for some face-rockin’ psychedelic experimentation. Listening to the music of Magic Lantern reminds me, first, of the late 60s where blends of psychedelic pop, folk and rock dominated and freedom wasn’t just a hippie movement, but a trait occasionally incorporated into music. Sure, that allowance has continued through time, but Magic Lantern has the sound of that era in guitar and expression alike. Read More »Magic Lantern: Platoon [Album Review]
Listening to the first track on Measures by Walking Sleep, I could swear I’ve heard this sound before. And I have. A little digging told me the band originally formed under the moniker The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra and I was quite fond of their EP from a year or two back, Escapements. The name may have changed, but the music maintains that male/female harmony in vocals, and those bouncy orchestrated and orchestral pop melodies. In fact, the band reworks favorites from that EP, “In A Dream” and “Don’t Be Fooled”. The basics are there, but the vocals are clearer and the instrumental freak-outs are more epic. Read More »Walking Sleep: Measures [Album Review]
The name The Half Open Sky Gives Us Hope sounds like a song you’d hear associated with a band like Explosions in the Sky or Thee Silver Mt. Zion, so it’s no surprise that this band also fits that ethereal classically-based and/or instrumental genres to which these two bands are occasionally associated. However, two key elements set The Half Open Sky Gives Us Hope apart; namely, the lack of epic noise from the former, maintaining a calmness to The Explorer, and the lack of folk sensibilities which allows the album to possess more of a classical nature than the latter.
Read More »The Half Open Sky Gives Us Hope: The Explorer [Album Review]
It’s hard to think of Night Driving In Small Towns as a duo. The band has a sound that is much, much fuller. Andrea Rogers and Colby Wright probably take their name from that which they grew up doing, having scoured the small towns of Georgia before relocating to the city of Atlanta. Serial Killer is the sort of pop album you’d expect from a post Elephant 6 band like The Essex Green or Elf Power. It’s leans toward being romantic, has hints of folk and orchestration, but is pure pop.
Read More »Night Driving In Small Towns: Serial Killer [Album Review] 
Thom Carter just never stops working! With the release of The First Time under the psyeudoname Cave Lions, he has reached (an estimated) 21 official releases under 6 different names. It’s as though with each experimentation process he develops in his head, he titles it in such a manner that the depth of what he wishes to express is both fitting and appropriate. And anyone with half a bit of knowledge, or terrific search methods on Wikipedia, can tell you that a worldly inspired collection of blues and experimental instrumental songs can be likened to the now extinct breed of lion (or possibly even a tiger!). If anyone could rationalize this fact, the philosopher Thom himself could surely make you believe whatever he would like to believe. Read More »Cave Lions: The First Time [Album Review]
Fronted by Dean Whitmore, Unnatural Helpers‘ percussionist and lead vocalist, the band released their LP Cracked Love & Other Drugs this week on Hardly Art. This band of musical misfits have a pretty impressive past and present, having performed in local Seattle acts as Idle Times (Brian Standeford), Charles Leo Gebhardt IV and Catheters (Leo Gebhardt), Intelligence (Whitmore himself), and Hardly Arts very own The Dutchess & The Duke (Kimberly Morrison). Collectively, they go by Unnatural Helpers, and frankly, they rock! Read More »Unnatural Helpers: Cracked Love & Other Drugs [Album Review]
Hooray For Earth is a band that perfectly defines the east coast’s love for danceable indie tracks. Their up tempo, high spirited songs radiate through your body with the greatest of pop music induced ease. Their latest EP, Momo, is a well preserved collection of body-moving and mind-bending, electronically fused songs that are as highly intellectual as they are just plain fun to listen to. Read More »Hooray For Earth: Momo EP [Album Review]
