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
Converge - No Heroes
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Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop
The Caribbean — Populations Buy it at Amazon
Another Hometapes release and another likeable band from Washington, DC. The Caribbean use pop hooks and oddly misshaped song structures to rip you the proverbial new one. Weirdly tuned guitars, odd noises, and superb production give “Populations” the sort of nuance and approach that so many indie pop groups pass by unfortunately. Socially intriguing lyrics will give you something to talk about outside of the “how-the-hell-did-they-do-that” confusion.
- J-Sin
The Perishers — Victorious Buy it at Amazon
Richly drenched in melancholy, “Victorious” may be an odd name for this sort of an album. Thematically aside though, “Victorious” is quite a sweet treat from Sweden’s the Perishers often percolating with catchiness and stubborn vocal harmonies that remain hummed on your lips hours after listening. Indie pop that’s intelligent, addictive, and life-affirmingly amazing.
- J-Sin
Ryan Anderson — The Garden Path Buy it at Amazon
Singer/songwriter Ryan Anderson likes to write fun fictional tales about fuck-all. Poised as one of many emerging talents from the gifted waters of Austin, Texas, Ryan Anderson writes sentimental folk-pop nuances that are cleverly dressed up as apartment rockers. Vocally he’s similar to Jeff Buckley and Lou Reed, with Tom Waits ingenuity well in hand.
- J-Sin
Patience Please — Fleeting Frequencies Buy it at Amazon
Seattle’s pop-rock outfit Patience Please tear through a very fast-paced twenty-eight minute album of alternative rock ala They Might Be Giants. Poised as a pop darling, Patience Please delivers smart and catchy tunes that are perfect for the kid in every adult. Fantastic dynamics and soft harmonies round out the danceable rhythms and lo-fi New Wave backdrop.
- J-Sin
The Lolligags — Wired Buy it at Amazon
Sugary melodies and catchy harmonies disarm you from the get-go on “Wired”, a quick EP of four songs. Only but a duo, the Lolligags has a complex and richly textured sound of dance punk, indie pop, and electro are stirred into one sweet ass sound. Female vocals give it a shine and sexiness that other groups in the same genre don’t manage. Nice.
- J-Sin
The Val Papdins — No One Wants to Move the Piano Buy it at Amazon
Hey I mean, would you want to move it? Hell no of course not. Utilizing vocal pop hooks, discordant guitars, and dreamy melodies, the Val Papadins move the sucker with sheer musical willpower. Oddly proportioned jazzy post-rock that seems to want to be Lou Reed-esque and mid ‘80’s alternative rock all at once.
- J-Sin
Jason Spooner — The Flame You Follow Buy it at Amazon
Boring alternative pop that rarely dares and often snores its way through the predictable 45 minutes or so of music. It’s not that Jason Spooner and company aren’t talented—they are quite gifted—it’s just that you will zero surprises in “The Flame You Follow”.
- J-Sin
Mick Harvey — Two of Diamonds Buy it at Amazon
Mick Harvey is known for being the co-founder of such luminous groups as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and the Birthday Party. “Two of Diamonds” is another solo venture following up on his ’05 release “One Man’s Treasure”. The songs are ventures towards the classic singer/songwriter formats that Johnny Cash and Neil Young perfected. Intelligent lyrics round out the rest of the alluring rock structures with its smart hooks and belligerent catchiness.
- J-Sin
The Spectacular Fantastic — Outer Space Is Nothing But a Lie Buy it at Amazon
Despite their somewhat tongue-in-cheek and outrageous album title, the Spectacular Fantastic doesn’t strive to be controversial. Their music is creative alternative indie rock that has been fashioned out of the brewing Cincinnati scene into a stew of smart and catchy hooks. Reminding one of the “Tao of Steve” soundtrack at times, “Outer Space is Nothing but a Lie” is smart, fashionable, energetic, and timeless alternative pop.
- J-Sin
Hem — Home Again, Home Again Buy it at Amazon
“No Word From Tom” was a strong showing of b-sides while “Funnel Cloud” showed that Hem was a moody group with strong songwriting chops. “Home Again, Home Again” is the latest EP recording by this indie pop fave. This time the group seems intent on showcasing their amazing vocal arrangements with a firm nod to alt. country and apartment rock. If you go to their website, you can follow the group via podcast as they record in the studio which is an incredible look inside their cranium. Brilliant indie pop crafted with subtle nuance that circles round Ellyson’s beautiful vocals.
- J-Sin
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