Year: 2013
Review: The Difference Machine – The Psychedelic Sounds of the...
The Difference Machine meld together the meditative effect of psychedelia with urgent rhymes about spiritual awakening. Dr. Conspiracy’s King Geedorah–style, trance-like beat is matched with emcee DT’s seamless flows and Reid Richards’ witty lyrical tour through Marvel Comics superheroes in “Marvel.” … read more
Review: The Forum Walters – Lederhosenpunk
This whole album can be summed up in just one word: positivity! It kept me in a good mood right from its arousing intro, kicking right into the upbeat ska/punk title track that possesses me to skank whenever I hear it. … read more
Review: The Head and the Heart – Let’s Be Still
Let’s Be Still is a step away from spontaneous songwriting, intending to be a thoughtful, more mature sequel. In reality, most of the tracks seem overthought and lack musical interest. … read more
Review: The Hunt – The Hunt Begins
Given the “what’s cool” music climate of 2009, this album is visionary: McGandy croons in his lush pogo/post-punk–crossover baritone, almost breaching his voice’s breadth into a holler. “Fifteen Minutes” exhibits rhythmic dynamics that propel the “What have we done to all the young men?!” chorus (which, at least, nods to a street punk gang-vocal motif). … read more
Review: The Icarus Line – Slave Vows
On this, their sixth full-length release, The Icarus Line deliver brain-straining intensity in the form of dirty, spastic guitar flares and embittered lyrics sung in an Iggy Pop kind of quiver. … read more
Review: The Crystal Method – Self-Titled
For their fifth studio album, The Crystal Method created a refreshing twist on what most electronic artists are currently producing, using heavy synth and rock elements to blow the minds and speakers of its listeners. … read more
Review: The Devil Makes Three – I’m a Stranger Here
Few bands can capture the imagination like Devil Makes Three. They invoke deep-woods medicine shows, jumping blues juke joints and midnight hootenannies by moonlight. … read more
Review: Tera Melos – X’ed Out
Tera Melos range from bass lines and doom riffs on “Slimed” to glorious angular riff-spun melodies everywhere else on the album. “Slimed” is a methodical head-banger that’s not psychedelic enough to be stoner rock, but is heavy enough to unleash the beast inside me, if only just for fun. … read more
Review: The Appleseed Cast – Illumination Ritual
I’ve never been able to classify The Appleseed Cast, but I’d say they lie in the folds of indie rock, post-hardcore, emo and shoegaze with intricate time signatures coupled with drums in the forefront. Illumination Ritual is another great album in a series of great albums. … read more
Review: Swagatha Christie
Swagatha is a 20-something blonde who has “swag” tattooed on her knuckles and writes about her white-girl antics. Miss Christie set out on her The Creep Van Tour 2012 last summer, with a stoner/skateboard crew who handed out “Free Sex” stickers at shows. … read more