Album Reviews

Arliss Parker: Handsome Like A Lion [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
November 14, 2008April 11, 2009

Written by Fense

Arliss Parker (aka Chris Parker) is slated to release his debut EP, Handsome Like A Lion, on November 25 via DAG! Records and, not to brag, I have the beautiful, artistically designed yellow-and-white case in my hands. Well, not technically in my hands — it’s sitting next to my MacBook as I type this review. Displayed on the yellow background is a simple white image of what looks like a girl, face scratched away. Printed vertically are the artist and album names in clean orange letters. Read More »Arliss Parker: Handsome Like A Lion [Album Review]

The Organ: Thieves [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
November 14, 2008May 5, 2023

Very few groups can consider themselves a true girl group, especially if their numbers are greater than three, let alone four. But The Organ boasts five. After a very well-received debut release in Grab That Gun, the ladies of The Organ sadly parted ways. Luck for us, they decided to patch things up long enough to finish recording their followup EP, Thieves — or else, at least, treat us with a posthumous little gift.

Ron Trembath
November 12, 2008April 11, 2009

Written by Ron Trembath

Westfold serves as a prime example of “contemporary” in the most literal sense on their second EP, Morning Commute. Using their classic antidote of happy despair, Westfold manages to create something bold and original, using a template that is faded and worn. It is always a pleasure to hear from a group that is not scared of imaginary boundaries, but doesn’t forget their beginnings. Read More »Westfold: Morning Commute [Album Review]

Dancer Vs. Politician: A City Half-Lost [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
November 11, 2008May 4, 2023

When I first heard the voice of Sanni Baumgaertner at the beginning of “Mach Dich Los.” I did a double-take. I had to check and verify that Dancer Vs. Politician wasn’t the solo project of Acid House Kings female counterpart Julia Lannerheim. It, of course, is not. Baumgaertner is a native of Germany, a country with plenty of untapped pop resources.

Andy Fenstermaker
November 10, 2008April 11, 2009

The music AristeiA (MySpace) creates is surreal. In a live setting, the sound is deafening. It has the ability to surround one so completely, one can slip into a trance. On record, the effect is similar, but best experienced through large headphones. How To Kill A King is the latest from AristeiA, and features a new percussionist. Read More »AristeiA: How To Kill A King [Album Review]

Crooked Fingers: Forfeit/Foreign [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
November 4, 2008April 11, 2009

If you’re like me, you haven’t listened to Crooked Fingers in quite a while. You missed their 2005 release Dignity And Shame, all but ignored Red Devil Dawn, and gave Bring On The Snakes a mere two listens. But you thoroughly enjoyed their 2000 self-titled debut thanks to the slow, depressing tunes. If you’re like me, the fact that Forfeit/Foreign was limited to 1000 copies on white vinyl was enough to rekindle the interest in this group. Read More »Crooked Fingers: Forfeit/Foreign [Album Review]

I’m From Barcelona: Who Killed Harry Houdini? [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
October 31, 2008May 18, 2023

You don’t typically hear songs named for guys. Yet the new I’m From Barcelona album, Who Killed Harry Houdini? does just that — and they use my name. As an opening track, “Andy” isn’t quite as hard-hitting as “Oversleeping” was to Let Me Introduce You To My Friends, but it does set the stage well for the rest of the album, which doesn’t necessarily have the power tracks of their debut.

Andy Fenstermaker
October 29, 2008April 11, 2009

Written by Fense

With this new EP, dubbed after the opening track “Freddie And The Trojan Horse”, The Radio Dept. find themselves morphing into an even darker beast than was once thought possible. In the title track, this is emphasized through electro-new-wave-y melancholy vocals and percussive beats, as well as the dark sound that encompasses the keys. Read More »The Radio Dept: Freddie And The Trojan Horse [Album Review]

These Arms Are Snakes: Tail Swallower And Dove [Album Review]

The Nice Asshole
October 28, 2008April 11, 2009

Written by The Nice Asshole

It’s always a pleasure for me to review a band that is undefinable in genre/sound, and incomparable to other acts. With These Arms Are Snakes (MySpace), the closest definition is the piercing sound of a fire alarm or television static. Read More »These Arms Are Snakes: Tail Swallower And Dove [Album Review]

The Glasses: Story Problems [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
October 28, 2008

Written by Fense

Oh yeah. This is the stuff that gets me excited. The Glasses (MySpace) are the style of indie pop that’s packed with male/female vocals and totally catchy vocal and instrumental hooks. I’m pretty sure I’ve got one of their older EPs, but the one currently in my hands is their latest LP, Story Problems. “When Moonlight Falls” kicks the album off on a massive high point. Read More »The Glasses: Story Problems [Album Review]

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