Authors: Justin Gallegos
Local Reviews: Les Sages
The idea of Les Sages’ third album sounds better than the outcome. It’s a baroque form of rock with a slight mariachi influence. The music itself sounds great, but there’s a sense of freedom lacking in the songs. The storytelling lyrics are intense, but the percussion-driven arrangements seem to inhibit the energy created by Joe Larson’s vocals. … read more
Local Reviews: Wake Up Nebula
Wake Up Nebula Never Fall In love With Birds Self-Released Street: 02.12 Wake Up Nebula = Metro Station / Shiny Toy Guns Emo-electro has had its ups and downs in terms of popularity—maybe there are still some die-hards out there still listening to Playradioplay!. There always seems to be somewhat of a whiny, perhaps nerdy
Review: Glow Marrow – Braver Days
Glow Marrow’s passion is their signature element. Where most indie synth rock bands produce songs that lean towards dance numbers or darker tracks Glow Marrow’s sound is simply just uplifting. … read more
Local Review: Valentine & The Regard – Manchester Misery
Valentine & The Regard = Simon & Garfunkel / Bright Eyes … read more
Local Review: Valentine & The Regard – I’m Well Adjusted
Valentine & The Regard = The Puzzle / The Memories … read more
Local Review: Soft Touch – Touch
Soft Touch Touch Self-Released Street: 03.26 Soft Touch = Shy Girls / Lewis When Prince introduced the world to his high-pitched funk ballads, the world became infatuated with them. Soft Touch might be hip to the “purple one” and his influence, but they remind me more of Prince-influenced modern songs than Prince himself. Beck’s “Debra”
Local Review: L’anarchiste – Giant
L’anarchiste Giant Kilby Records Street: 07.14 L’anarchiste = Sufjan Stevens + Bon Iver Giant, the electro-acoustic follow-up to L’anarchiste’s transitionary EP The Traveler, shows L’anarchiste stretching their orchestral-folk muscles as far as they can into an electronic realm. “Samundar” and “Hold Tight” are unashamedly Sufjan Stevens–influenced, with harmonies straight out of Stevens’ catalogue. The latter
Local Review: Lady Murasaki – Summer Fling
Lady Murasaki Summer Fling Self-Released Street: 06.02 Lady Murasaki= Real Estate + The Cardigans Turn on your sprinklers, kick off your shoes and play this EP from the porch as you cool down from this summer. Day or night, these songs consistently put me at ease in beyond-comfortable blazing temperatures. Lady Murasaki have outdone
Local Review: Gothen – Self-Titled
What can you say about a local album that measures closely to established contemporary acts like Grizzly Bear? It’s clear who Gothen’s influences are, but it’s also clear they understand how to develop fine music rather than mimic it. … read more
Local Review: FORMAL – Self-Titled
FORMAL seems to have ’90s indie punk running through their veins, but that doesn’t stop them from being unpredictable. … read more