Music
▼ National Reviews
Review: Psyclon Nine – Order Of The Shadow
Oh, the terror! This release is full of hard, heavy, head-banging metal and aggrotech beats. I loved the gritty, grinding, nasty guitar riffs. It is disappointing that they are mixed in with overdone, scratchy, screaming vocals that make you want to tear your skin off. … read more
Review: Potpourri Of Pearls – We Went to Heaven
A concept album of sorts—based on the fact that PoP’s lead singer Adam Brody’s 14th birthday coincided with the discovery of the unfortunate victims from the Heaven’s Gate cult—even if only loosely themed, makes for a bizarre sophomore release. … read more
Review: Pompeya – Tropical
Tropical, by Russian quartet Pompeya, has a variety of funky tracks and smooth, uptempo ballads. Pompeya’s melodic and up-tempo feel on Tropical made me feel like I was a distressed character from a movie running on the beach—in slow motion, of course. … read more
Review: Pillar Point – Self-Titled
Pillar Point is a new dance-pop project formed by Scott Reitherman of Secretly Canadian band Throw Me The Statue (indie-poppers keen to hand claps and toe taps; see “Lolita”). Though this debut album explores the glum themes of uncertainty and heartbreak, the songs are catchy and buzzing with danceable synth hooks and hummable pop structures. … read more
Review: Painted Palms – Forever
Painted Palms’ debut EP, Canopy, saw its release in 2011 and was later discovered by of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes. After gaining momentum from touring with them and STRFKR, Painted Palms has released a stellar LP, which sounds as vintage as it does modern. … read more
Review: Orthy – E.M.I.L.Y. EP
Ian Orth’s edits, meant for Austin’s electro dance Learning Secrets, ended up as the four songs on this EP and are typical electro-pop of the moment—but I feel as if there’s nothing super enticing or even pleasantly generic about them (though a Baio remix of the title track provides a nice twist on the EP’s singular sound). … read more
Review: Natural Child – Dancin’ With Wolves
Is this the Return of the Grievous Angel? Not quite. While the broad strokes of Cosmic American Music are present here, Natural Child come well short of Gram Parson’s territory, instead sounding like the fat trimmed off Exile on Main St. being gargled by Tom Petty. … read more
Review: Morgan Delt – Self-titled
Though this album might call to mind Morgan Delt’s contemporaries like Ty Segall and Tim Presley—perhaps even their collaborative effort, Hair—there is something much more methodical taking place on this record. … read more
Review: Matt Pond PA – The Lives Inside the Lines...
While a good chunk of Matt Pond PA’s repertoire can be a bit melancholic, The Lives maintains the more catchy and upbeat side of their work (aside from the song “Human Beings,“ which came across as a drawl). … read more
Review: Marram – Sun Choir
Let me just tell you, first, how much work was put into this album. Sun Choir features the children of the Light of Love Children’s Home, along with 10 other artists, including Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire and Scottish folk singer Margaret Bennett. … read more