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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Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop
Various Artists — Finest Worksongs: Athen Bands Play the Music of R.E.M. Buy it at Amazon
It’s a shame that it seems like the only thing people talk about when the subject of Athens, Georgia and its fantastic music scene is R.E.M. Theses fine Athens bands prove just how rich that scene is. Recorded live at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, it’s a fine tribute. An admitted hater of R.E.M., I will say that I can appreciate their influence and their songwriting skills but I could never get past the annoying vocals of Michael Stipe.
- J-Sin
Rhoda Morgan — From Brixton to Brooklyn Buy it at Amazon
Gee thanks Britain. First you gave us your terrible show, “Pop Idol” and us patriotic fucks twisted it into “American Idol” and a disgusting cultural fad was formed. But now you’re giving us your “Pop Idol” rejects? Rhoda Morgan’s horrendous idea of R&B, pop, and hip-hop involves a lot of Timbaland—too bad she has nothing to offer that producer or us for that matter.
- J-Sin
Whiting Tennis — Three Leaf Clover Buy it at Amazon
Lo-fi folk-pop that reaches back to artists like Neil Young and Wilco by gripping Americana in one hand and alternative pop in the other. His lyrics are witty and compelling with a passionate display for his songwriting that many artists engineer out with expensive Pro-Tools digital massages. Lou Reed would most certainly approve of this message.
- J-Sin
David Shultz and the Skyline — Sinner's Gold Buy it at Amazon
Pop urgent singer/songwriter fare that is perfect for a gymnasium as well as a library—how often do you get to mutter that one-liner? Rare I’m sure. Just as rare as the talent contained within this magical disc of indie pop earnestness while Dinosaur Jr.’s influence is felt throughout the roots rock side steps. Nifty my main man, nifty.
- J-Sin
Bellavista — Bellavista Buy it at Amazon
San Francisco’s Bellavista is a rock group that chugs shoegazer glazed sonic soundscapes and ensnares them in true blue blood rock ‘n’ roll magic. Sort of like the cheeseburger with fries of rock music, Bellavista is sure to become a staple alongside the diverse group that they’ve shared stages with—everyone from The Rolling Stones to Franz Ferdinand to And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead to the Faint share this distinction. Loud yet somehow still bubbling under the surface riffs are blended with lush arrangements and pulsing percussion for a hard garage rock assault that goes straight for the still-pumping heart.
- J-Sin
John Ashfield — Love Is Blue Buy it at Amazon
San Francisco label PopPop Records signed the Bobbleheads lead singer/songwriter and guitarist to a small deal. “Love is Blue” is his newest creation and finds the singer/songwriter exploring not only his heart but his brain for smart-powdered nuanced selections of rock and indie pop. We can all hope for his sake that we’re all looking at a wide-angle lense because his fat frame is certainly shown on all of the photos of himself throughout this CD’s artwork and its attached bio. His vocals are just as huge and oversized. “Love is Blue” is a fun-filled entertaining pop experiment in the vein of Brian Wilson but without all the expectations (and thus disappointments).
- J-Sin
Cary Brothers — Who You Are Buy it at Amazon
Sort of the like the shamrock of indie pop-rock, Cary Brothers have carried the torch for Zach Braff’s films as well as a thousand disenchanted young adults. Another reviewer dubbed this album as “Zach Braff-core” and you know as ridiculous as that might sound, it may truly be the most fitting ‘genre’ for “Who You Are”. Pop hooks that are just incredibly angst-ridden and yet incredibly catchy ensnare you and reel you in for the long haul. Meanwhile dramas such as “Scrubs”, “Bones”, “Smallville”, “ER”, and “Grey’s Anatomy” have made use of their truly superb pop arrangements. To note, this is only the debut full-length from Cary Brothers and we’ve already seen a whole lot.
- J-Sin
Larissa Maestro — Maybe Later Buy it at Amazon
That last name has got to be a fake pen name or something. No singer/songwriter could possibly be born with “Maestro” as their last name. At least not without a huge lump of irony. That’s even more apparent once you hear “Ms. Maestro” entries which are tired pop-rock snores that are the culmination of bad lyric writing and even worse hooks.
- J-Sin
Fields — Everything Last Winter Buy it at Amazon
Dark shoegazing gothic pop that clatters the soul into a cage filled with rats, scorpions, and other critters that go creak in the night. “Everything Last Winter” is a surprisingly dark album despite its rich asset of melody and sonic depth. Devilish drumming rounds out the tremendous vocal arrangements that sound only slightly removed from a Billy Corgan b-side. Interesting and worthy of your full attention soldier of music!
- J-Sin
Feist — The Reminder Buy it at Amazon
Canadian Leslie Feist was at first more well-known for her projects including Broken Social Scene and Kings of Convenience, but after her solo debut and subsequent tour with Bright Eyes and the Magic Numbers, she quickly gained more notoriety as a solo artist. Her third release, “The Reminder” finds her playing tag with indie pop, jazzy folk numbers, and lo-fi rock all the while using her complex and wide array of effects. Her vocals are cathartic yet somber and not too sobering with beautiful swirls and tremendous harmonies rounding out her simple presentations but intriguing outer layers. A vibrant singer, Feist belies a sweetened vocal-heavy indie pop nuance with strong intentional minimalism textures that keeps things moving along. Pick this wistful album up—you won’t regret it. For the Bjork and pop fan alike.
- J-Sin
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