Music Reviews of Punk, Indie Rock, Emo, Ska
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 Punk, Indie Rock, Emo, Ska
The Decemberists — The Crane Wife Buy it at Amazon
The Decemberists have seemed to really be a “love ‘em” or “hate ‘em” type of band for whatever reason. I suppose it’s the general lumping into the ‘emo’ category—though one could retort that they’re more indie rock than emo—but the Decemberists have always been a band that when mentioned either evoke nausea or sweet affection, rarely somewhere in between. “The Crane Wife” may change all of that. Their major label debut, “The Crane Wife” features rich lyrical twists often delving into cerebral noodlings that while emotional, aren’t the general tuck-at-my-sweater cynicism that’s traditionally associated with emo. Indie pop ballads are abound throughout this rock-solid album packed with songs that seem to anoint The Decemberists into a higher echelon of the indie world. Maybe with the release of this strong album, The Decemberists will shift more towards the “love ‘em” than the “hate ‘em”.
- J-Sin
Attic Ted — Land Suite Buy it at Amazon
Weird gothic-influence alt-country insanity, Attic Ted doesn’t allow you to rest on your laurels. I’ve reviewed several of their previous ventures and with each, I feel I have to fully prepare myself for a wholeheartedly new experience. Imagine the Talking Heads on a mission to Mars with psychedelics and vegetarian meals the only item to eat, and you might have an inkling of something close to the eccentric treatment one gets after listening to an Attic Ted album. Addicted? Yes.
- J-Sin
The Inner Banks — The Inner Banks Buy it at Amazon
Folk-rock intentions met full head-on with atmospheric shoegazer ‘70’s glamorous rock throughout this self-titled debut on DAG! Records. Produced with a fine tooth comb, “The Inner Banks” is an ambitious venture that unleashes about a million sounds at once and hopes to collapse into a rhythm that each individual listener will anoint as one of their own. Bask in this glorious songwriting glow for a moment because it will past—only a handful of likeminded geniuses come forward through the murk of musicians every year and the Inner Banks are cream of the crop.
- J-Sin
The Horrors — The Horrors Buy it at Amazon
Owww, scary British rock ‘n’ roll that recalls the Clash and the Rolling Stones with such fevered abandon that one could curse out the jukebox for damning us throughout this entire EP. Frenetic guitars and boisterous vocals only make for the denouement of the ultimate garage punk-rock joke. Does anyone really like the Cramps? I don’t believe it…
- J-Sin
Andy Werth — Back to the Sun Buy it at Amazon
Seattle’s music scene is more known for grunge heroes than it is the true independent music scene that it’s embodied for years. Forget the flannels, this is real Seattle music at its very best! Rich indie pop harmonies with art rock hooks veining throughout each tune, “Back to the Sun” is a pop album that Brian Wilson would be proud to call his own. Pick it up for something damn fine and refreshing.
- J-Sin
Street Dogs — Fading American Dream Buy it at Amazon
Ditto! Street Dogs rails against the current direction America is headed under the helm of the Republican-led everything. Hearing this from a Gulf War veteran is refreshing makes it even more poignant. Somewhere between the Pogues and Dropkick Murphys (no real surprise when you note that Mike McColgan, the aforementioned Army vet, helped found Dropkick Murphys) at times, Street Dogs are original and fresh Irish punk rock that has something to say outside of the pub crawl. There’s also a Mighty Mighty Bosstones connection as one of their former members is also featured in this band. Oi! Oi! This is precisely what the doctor ordered—and I’ll also take a Guinness please. Thanks.
- J-Sin
Jon McKiel — Jon McKiel Buy it at Amazon
Emotional indie pop that keeps things as downtempo and melancholy as possible, Jon McKiel’s album is as cold as the region in Nova Scotia in which it was recorded. Regardless of the melancholic trappings, he’s able to capture harmonies with a deftness and uncanny ability. Innate singer/songwriters like McKiel are a rare treat and we should let them pour their heart and brains out no matter what. Good music for a rainy day or a cold lonely persona.
- J-Sin
Bones — Disconnected Buy it at Amazon
I know I’m supposed to appreciate throw-back garage rock outfits. But maybe all of the “the” bands tired me out on it. Sure punk doesn’t always have to forget the blues or the Rolling Stones for that matter, but it doesn’t have to embrace it so heavily that it’s copulating. Bones has forgotten that fact and opts to write tired garage punk rock that is easily something that Jack White could whip out in a session or two.
- J-Sin
The Comeback Tour — Apologizing the Broadcast Buy it at Amazon
Separated out into three distinct movements, “Apologizing the Broadcast” is an ambitious endeavor to say the least. Led by a rock group unafraid of dazzling anyone with their supreme chops, the album is sparkling with elements of noise pop, indie rock, and tons of attitude. This is meant for the crowd who loves both directions the indie rock scene turned once Hot Water Music leapt onto the scene. My one complaint is that the production could use a bit of a rescrubbing.
- J-Sin
Paperwork — Angles and Altitudes Buy it at Amazon
Texan rock group tangles the forbidden fruit of rock ingenuity in front of all of our faces. But they do so in an inviting way that isn’t the least bit mocking. It’s not their fault that their songwriting is crisp and bountiful; nor are they to blame for their innate musical genius. To Paperwork, rock music isn’t rocket surgery nor is it brain science. Mammoth riffs coupled with indie rock roots and spacious layers of sonic textures spotlight this courageous debut album that will have folks who yearn for the days when the Get Up Kids did us all right via their stirring “Four Minute Mile”.
- J-Sin
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