Month: February 2014
Review: Divider – Minimal Distraction EP
Divider’s new EP, Minimal Distraction, sidestepped the mainstream approach to EBM and pulled from the traditional era of the mid-’80s early-’90s electronic sound. The dark, surrounding electronic beat enhanced by the vocals creates an atmosphere of aggression and anxiety. … read more
Review: Dengue Fever – Girl from the North
The tunes are Eastern-ized Western pop, re-Westernized for a new generation—got that? Truly, what they’ve done is really lovely. The music is twinkly and light, and the vocals are enchantingly foreign (female vocalist Chom Nimol generally sings in her native Khmer). … read more
Review: Dam-Funk & Snoopzilla – 7 Days Of Funk
Snoop does his best to channel Funk legend Bootsy Collins, aka Bootzilla, but he’s a better rapper than crooner—unlike Dam, who brings a funk prowess when he vocalizes, which doesn’t happen enough on the album. I certainly dig 7 Days Of Funk, but it’s more of a novelty record than a classic. … read more
Review: Corpsessed – Abysmal Thresholds
This album, the first full-length from this Finnish death metal band, is just unrelentingly brutal. Songs travel the gradient between suffocating sludge and insane tempo, with some sporadic keyboard elements that soften certain moments without sacrificing the horrific atmosphere. … read more
Review: Cryogenic Echelon – Taste of Failure
It bridges boundaries, and various types of music lovers will find it appealing. I will most certainly be mixing “Fall of the Reptiles (Grendel Remix)” into my set lists at the club—it’s perfect for the transition from synth pop to industrial. … read more
Review: Culted – Oblique to All Paths
Oblique to All Paths sounds like a musical rendition of a passive-aggressive argument at band practice. Embarrassingly self-indulgent and lacking any kind of major, defining characteristic, Culted end up writing the doom metal equivalent of cold oatmeal. … read more
Review: Chris Wilson – It’s Flamin’ Groovy
The opening track, “All the Action,” bursts out with an upbeat rocking ballad, sung with wailing, western-styled vocals. “She Satisfies” follows with a heavy bass line and sick guitar riffs that no doubt take influence from Keith Richards. … read more
Review: Color War – It Could Only Be This Way
The beats, crafted by band member Billy J, are clean and resounding, and Lindsay Mound’s layered and dreamy vocals nicely complement the album. But to me, nothing about the album screamed innovation, and it wasn’t all that memorable. … read more
Review: Carlos Cipa & Sophia Jani – Relive
For those of you who enjoy listening to piano while cramming for that big ass final you have the next morning, this duo will certainly calm your nerves. … read more
Review: Blood Orange – Cupid Deluxe
Cupid Deluxe encapsulates the finest that pop has to offer from the ’80s to now. Sexy pop stars from Prince to Michael Jackson infiltrate Hyne’s stylings while he manages to sound less pretentious and just as mysterious due to his lyrics, which revolve around heartbreak and bitterness. … read more