Month: December 2013
Review: Mogwai – Rave Tapes
If I would have bet you 10 years ago that Mogwai would return to its synth explorations on 2003’s Happy Songs for Happy People and turn into a kinda boring post-rock band that locked itself into a relentless kraut groove, I would be $12.69 richer (adjusted for inflation). … read more
Review: Motörhead – Aftershock
In an age when most of the great classic hard rock bands are slowing down and approaching their twilight years, Motörhead keeps charging ahead, playing the hardest and truest rock n’ roll ever recorded. … read more
Review: LowCityRain – Self-Titled
As jangling new wave inspired chords cascade, driving bass and drums pump the track full of energy, a modest female vocal croons the title of the song and in these first three minutes, I’m left gasping. … read more
Review: Lynx – Light Up Your Lantern
From the moment this album opens, with heavy beats accented by a varied string section (guitars, banjo and cello), Lynx kept a hypnotic grip over me that was so powerful, I wondered if I had spent that hour in an oasis-tinged dream. … read more
Review: Marijuana Deathsquads – Oh My Sexy Lord
As is the case with a great deal of so-called super groups, this release is pretty masturbatory. With intense, pulsating, electronic jam-band beats and half scream, half rap vocals, it is overall pretty unpleasant to listen to. … read more
Review: Maggie McClure – Time Moves On
Filled to the brim with cutesy pop confessionals and whimsical, dreamy instrumentals, Maggie McClure masters the small-town-girl-meets-big-city vibe. … read more
Review: Magic Trick – River of Souls
Lead singer Tim Cohen croons in a cool, ’60s tinged way, complemented by an accompanying female voice, keeping it psychedelic, but not losing the driving bass and trumpet of the folk genre. River of Souls is definitely an album to keep loud and keep on repeat. … read more
Review: Marley Carroll – Sings
It’s similar to the chattering electronica of Caribou, with just a bit more sophistication. If you’ve been waiting for Caribou’s next release, I suggest giving Carrol’s new album a try. … read more
Review: Kommandant – Stormlegion Reissue
The tunes are black metal blazers with tinges of war metal themes, ditching the atmospheric and going for the blast-beat-ridden jugular. Chicago’s metal scene is owning a lot of genres right now, and this serves as a pick-it-up-if-you-didn’t-have-it-already release … read more
Review: Lee Corey Oswald/Three Man Cannon – Self-Titled
The sound was very punk influenced, but captured more of a laidback, slower tempo and softer melody. The other side, Lee Corey Oswald, was a little bit more garage-band angst with less of the laidback feel. … read more