Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Pop
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
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03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop
Recife — New Ams Buy it at Amazon
Recife’s debut album “New Ams” firmly planted their roots in pop-rock with disaffected emotionally charged melodies. Alongside of their more catchy pop hooks are electronic vibes and deep melancholic ambience. Written about their namesake, the city of Recife in Brazil, it was inspired by the slowly decaying town and the group’s fascination with it. Interesting.
- J-Sin
Recife — Microwave Buy it at Amazon
French pop-rock band is immersed into heavily melodic waters and while submerged gather seashells of interlocked vocal harmonies and steady rhythms. Disarming harmonies collide with soft vocals and a whole slew of catchy riffs. Good engaging and warm soft sounds throughout make “Microwave” essential radiation for the soul.
- J-Sin
Mary Karlzen — The Wanderlust Diaries Buy it at Amazon
Graduating into the upper class of pop singer/songwriters, Mary Karlzen now has met the threshold of five studio albums under her arm. Proudly and almost defiantly, she waves at Americana, pop, and roots rock influences. Mary Karlzen’s voice is strong and sobering, rarely wavering from note to note. She’s a perfect fit for a smashing AAA radio long stretch (which nowadays is what, four songs?!) and even covers Tom Waits’ “Heart of Saturday Night” giving it a country flair and Paul Westerberg’s “Skyway”, owning that tune with a light Nashville feel.
- J-Sin
The Shot Heard 'Round the World — Ten Songs for Town and Country Buy it at Amazon
The debut full-length from this Brooklyn band is a lo-fi melodic pop affair that journeys to the center of the heart of the Beach Boys and makes its way outwards in one piece. Carnival-esque quirkiness is present in both the lyrics and arrangements which are spotlighted with rangy vocals and light instrumentation. Good music for around the campfire or for mix taped journeys across the country.
- J-Sin
Maudlin — The Penitent Never Regret Buy it at Amazon
Recorded in ’04, “The Penitent Never Regret” was this Minnesota-based rock band’s debut. Riff-heavy and reminiscent of alt-rock heavies from the ‘90’s, Maudlin liked to sugar-coat their guitar with plenty of sweet harmonies. Not bad and a thick sound for a trio.
- J-Sin
Danny Scherr — Richmond Special Buy it at Amazon
I’ve often wondered who would rape Candlebox without a single shred of dignity or self-respect. Thanks for clearing that up Danny.
- J-Sin
Jamie Randolph — Villain Buy it at Amazon
Treading water alongside the likes of alt. country, indie rock, blues, and Americana, Jamie Randolph’s “Villain” isn’t the enemy of anyone. Indeed he might just morph into the hero of melodic Americana music everywhere. His deft lyrics combined with an honest undertone of guitars and quiet vocals make of a Jackson Brown and Ryan Adams smelting. Pop hooks abound on this one!
- J-Sin
The Prix — It's All In the Way That You Trip Buy it at Amazon
Damn the title of the album is almost longer than the length of this three-song EP. The Prix make up for its brevity with supreme catchiness and the urge to keep this sucker on ‘repeat’ for quite a while. Psych-pop is a continuing to emerge genre and The Prix are more than welcome to help usher the whole sucker in damn it!
- J-Sin
The Dark Romantics — Some Midnight Kissin' Buy it at Amazon
I guess it’s alright to like Joy Division a whole lot.
- J-Sin
The Mooney Suzuki — Have Mercy Buy it at Amazon
Bad news comes in bunches doesn’t it? When Sammy James Jr. learned his father was passing away from cancer it was while his band was dropped from Columbia during the ridiculous Sony-BMG merger and the rhythm section of that band was once again tossed into the air. But he didn’t give up and put the finishing touches on “Have Mercy”. Now this mod rock group is with V2 Artemis Records and are fully embracing late ‘60’s, early ‘70’s soulful rock ‘n’ roll. Plenty of big choruses and loud distorted hollow body guitars are touched off with Motown vocals and energetic jangling organ. The best part is that while they are (right or wrong) aligned with the garage rock movement alongside the myriad of other “the” bands like The Strokes and The Hives (both of whom they toured with), The Mooney Suzuki is actually doing something completely different and refreshing within the classic rock umbrella.
- J-Sin
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