Review: Julianna Barwick – Nepenthe

Review: Julianna Barwick – Nepenthe
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Although some of the tracks on the album, such as “Pyrrhic” and “Adventurer of the Family,” create sort of a sad vibe, the album as a whole was super relaxing and pleasant to the ears. … read more

Review: James LaBrie – Impermanent Resonance

Review: James LaBrie – Impermanent Resonance
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The attempt here is to bridge the gap between prog-heads and fans of the more melodic style of melodic death à la Sweden. It works extremely well. … read more

Review: House of Black Lanterns – Kill The Lights

Review: House of Black Lanterns – Kill The Lights
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I would be in a trance-like state—then suddenly, I would be jarred and thrown into shock by a disturbing pipe organ sound that was something along the lines of the soundtrack of the classic 1974 movie, Phantom of the Paradise. … read more

Review: Holograms – Forever

Review: Holograms – Forever
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Forever uses the upbeat power of nearly unbroken speed to avoid any clashes with boredom while finding identity through unique vocals. … read more

Review: Grave – Morbid Ascent

Review: Grave – Morbid Ascent
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Slip on your mucky moshing shoes and live it up with this EP: five tracks of gritty, classic Swedish death to tide you over until the next full-length abomination from Grave. … read more

Review: Dirty Beaches – Drifters/Love is the Devil

Review: Dirty Beaches – Drifters/Love is the Devil
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By focusing more on sound than instrumentation, Hungtai has reached an artistic plane that can’t be imitated. … read more

Review: David Lynch – The Big Dream

Review: David Lynch – The Big Dream
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Overall, this album surprised the hell out of me, and it seems to get better with each listen. Don’t get me wrong: There is a lot of weird shit, but Lynch, like he’s done so many times before, pulls it off. … read more

Review: The Darcys – Warring

Review: The Darcys – Warring
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Employing a tame and swanky alternative sound, Canadian rockers The Darcys are modernizing—and, in my opinion, bettering—a sound that began in the ’80s. … read more

Review: Creepy Murdle – Midnight Ghost of California

Review: Creepy Murdle – Midnight Ghost of California
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Imagine the grinding din of a metal shop when all the machinery goes haywire, throw in a multicolored spark celebration arcing out of the windows and roof for visual effect, and that’s Midnight Ghost of California. … read more

Review: The Civil Wars – Self-Titled

Review: The Civil Wars – Self-Titled
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The Civil Wars have been the breath of fresh air country music dreadfully needed … read more