Written by Fense
I didn’t check out Fugu 1, the debut LP by Fugu, until well after its release. Featuring an impressive lineup of French and European pop artists, Fugu’s music is a blend of pop styles, from the upbeat to the softly melancholy. And, to continue the trend, I’m just now checking out Fugu’s latest. Read More »Fugu: As Found [Album Review]
I’ve been in-tune with, and a fan of, Aerotone Records for some time now. Each release they give the world is truly given to the world — they are all free with the option to pay, a strategy that has been in place (to my knowledge) since the beginning. They are what one would call a netlabel. One of their latest releases is Hydrophobia by Entertainment For The Braindead (MySpace). Read More »Entertainment For The Braindead: Hydrophobia [Album Review]
Written by Fense
With an emphasis on late 60s, early 70s pop influence, The Rollo Treadway‘s self-titled debut follows a conceptual storyline — the kidnapping of two children. Rather than taking the dark route, it quickly becomes apparent that The Rollo Treadway is packed with upbeat pop gems like opener “Kidnapped” and its follower “Rua Gararu 188”. Read More »The Rollo Treadway: The Rollo Treadway [Album Review]
Indie-pop tends to be static and homogenous, but Jean On Jean utilizes the genre’s core traits in such unique ways that it becomes quite fresh. Lead by Molly Schnick (Out Hud), Jean On Jean is an excellent recipe of indie-pop sub-genres, from minimal to experimental, and bedroom to orchestral. Read More »Jean On Jean: Jean On Jean [Album Review]
Written by The Nice Asshole
Rose’s growls seem to grow to an exasperated screech throughout the album. Rose has always been a talented vocalist, and a good piece of the puzzle. In Chinese Democracy he becomes the crux, which is not his strong-suit. His vocals are VERY apparent on this album, often sounding like his head is ready to pop from the lengthy high-notes he sustains. It’s commendable, and at the same time fucking annoying. Read More »Guns ‘N Roses: Chinese Democracy [Album Review Part 2]
Written by The Nice Asshole
I almost didn’t want this album to be released. For one, it’s a great punch line. (I once told an ex-girlfriend that we couldn’t get married until Chinese Democracy was released. It was a good cover.) But also, there is SUCH a pop-culture vortex surrounding it. In a Rolling Stone piece written in April of 2000, they were unsure way back then of the album’s existence. Read More »Guns ‘N Roses: Chinese Democracy [Album Review Part 1]
Written by Fense
I covered Klas back in September after receiving a little compilation from Series II Records (read that coverage here) and noted how their style of folk-pop had twee-ish elements to it. But in listening to their full length, To Sleep And Love, I’m hearing a little country influence as well. Read More »Klas: To Sleep And Love [Album Review]
Written by Fense
Given the tumultuous state of the record biz, the growing recession and ever growing threats of a potential economic depression, and an overall sense of wariness toward the world in which we live, it’s no surprise that 2008 has found itself packed with groups getting back to their roots. Letters style of orchestral folk-pop (with emphasis on folk) are no exception; however, their music is uniquely their own. Read More »Letters: In Case We Lose What We Have [Album Review]
Seeing Noah And The Whale at SXSW this year was one of innumerable high points — it was simply one great but minor experience in a week packed with great but minor experiences of what ultimately would be one of the best, albeit exhausting, weeks of my life up to this point. Despite the greatness of their performance, they disappeared from my peripheral until this weekend when I picked up Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down. Read More »Noah And The Whale: Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down [Album Review]
Within the Portland scene, there are many bands like No Go Know. And Sleeping Is Winning could sound as familiar as a collection of your favorite Dandy Warhol tracks. But, there is a darkness that resides within their entire vibe that distinguishes them as a strong competitor in the underworld of the City of Roses. Read More »No Go Know: Sleeping Is Winning [Album Review]
