Music Reviews of Unsigned Bands, Demos, Promos
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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Current Top Ten Chart
Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
Converge - No Heroes
The Graduate - Anhedonia
Death By Stereo - Death Alive
Comeback Kid - Broadcasting
The Snake The Cross The Crown - Cotton Teeth
Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Unsigned Bands, Demos, Promos
Pale Obsession — Songs of Love and Death Buy it at Amazon
With a name like that and an album title like that, you’re kind of self-genre slating yourself, huh? So yeah, they’re gothic rock, bet that’s a surprise. Take Sisters of Mercy and stoke it with a softer HIM and you’ve got Luxembourg’s Pale Obsession wrapped up. Yawn.
- J-Sin
Steve Lieberman — Shake the Missile Base Buy it at Amazon
One of my favorite independent avant garde artists out there, Steve Lieberman, also known as the Gangsta Rabbi, has written me a song. Yes, all of my pleadings finally made him succumb to putting pen to paper, flute to mouth, and guitar plug to amp. A heavily distorted album as is the usual Lieberman fare, he distances himself from the more sunshine-laden lyrics for angry words of rage, heartache, suicide, and depression. “Editor’s Pick” is the one written for me, and it’s yet another dazzling display of musicianship and the off-kilter oddness that makes Steve really shine; ironically enough the song is about all the idiot reviewers that didn’t give him the time of day, or shrugged him off because they just didn’t get it. Well, I’m not sure if I necessarily always get everything that Mr. Lieberman is trying to espouse but damn if I want to. That’s why I listen, intently, to every damn word, note, and flute craziness that comprises “Shake the Missile Base” and more. “J-Sin made me the editor’s pick!” You’re damn right buddy!
- J-Sin
Jane Lui — Barkentine Buy it at Amazon
Soulful female vocals set amidst a collection of raw and naked pop that smirks at jazz and grins at folk. Each song is raw and gripping with depths of husky emotional vocals. Speaking of life experiences ala less experimentally lewd Feist, Jane Lui writes compelling tracks that are both intriguing and soul-searching.
- J-Sin
The Hotdamns — Vanquished Buy it at Amazon
Alt-country and Americana’s the Hotdamns are sure to make you remember that Lucero isn’t the only group out there doing this. Whiskey-soaked male vocals are blended effortlessly with female crooning, “Vanquished” shows daring guitar noodling with superb songwriting. It’s good music that Richmond, Virginia should be damn proud of.
- J-Sin
New Artica — How the Brain Works Buy it at Amazon
Formed in ’05, New Artica is an intricate blend of indie pop, electro, and alternative rock. “How the Brain Works” is a smart piece of musicianship that boasts male/female vocal combinations and clever harmonies. Playing out of their native North Carolina, this is a college band that actually matters unlike the plethora of crap indie rock that only is known because their members are the local college radio nerds. So yeah, pick it up.
- J-Sin
Seraphim Slaughter — Scum Terror Buy it at Amazon
Aw it’s cute when pale white dudes from New Jersey try to record an “old school” sounding black/thrash metal album. Sorry just ‘cuz you call yourself, Creepo or Carnifex, or Christ Von Kieck or Archduke Odnanref, doesn’t mean you scare anyone. In fact it’s quite laughable, sort of like your overly distorted guitars, thrashy drums that can’t play fast enough to do proper blast beats, or those throaty excuses for bleating growls. Don’t bother unless you’re in for a laugh. Oh wait, that’s right I was supposed to be impressed with your pencil drawings of an anarchy symbol, a pentagram, needles, and a woman’s vagina spurting (with arrows pointing to it from the song entitled “Cervix Ripping Sex”) and your songs about rape, AIDS, and death. Maybe I should draw some sweet pics of me shaking in my boots!
- J-Sin
Movie Star Kiss — Sunset Junction Buy it at Amazon
Still tight and catchy, Movie Star Kiss return with their new EP, “Sunset Junction” following hotly on the heels of “Starting Over”. Dreamy pop vocals pepper “Sunset Junction” with juggled guitars and glistening bass grooves. Definitely a fun act to listen to, you can hear that their music will influence many a foot to tap. Nice.
- J-Sin
Lorus — Deluge Buy it at Amazon
Complex progressive metal anthems with heavy influence from the doom metal and jazz scene, Lorus is punked up metal that refuses to lay still for a mere moment. But that resistance to resting on one’s laurels is a good thing. For “Deluge” is an album worthy of exploration with its unique song structures and steady appetite for crushing skulls and blowing minds. Intriguing!
- J-Sin
Empty Promise — Conscience Today Buy it at Amazon
DIY punk rock that would sound great if the vocals were on mute. It’s pretty much you’re a-typical proto punk band with some old school riffs and thrashy drums. The attempt at harmonizing vocals just falls flat. Really flat.
- J-Sin
Cold Dead Hands — Novelization Buy it at Amazon
Wow this is really not very good. Indie rock, that’s bland, predictable, and boasts horrid lyrics, encapsulated in power-pop hooks that you will shrug off as soon as you hear them.
- J-Sin
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