Kissing Cousins – In With Them
The cousins are back with a 7-inch/EP of dark rock goodness. The physical vinyl has two songs, but the download comes with two extra bonus songs. The title track has a melody that grabs a hold of you and won’t let go. This is followed with the haunting b-side “Cover Me’ that serves as a perfect companion to the a-side. The bonus tracks in the digital version continue on the dark haunting path laid out in the first two tracks. This ep will just whet your appetite for a full-length, but I still recommend checking it out.
White Lighter – White Lighter
White Lighter snarls through so many gruesome tracks of guitar rock awesomeness that it’s hard to not love this. The players list reads like a “who’s who” of underground alternative rock superstars: Mark Salomon, Steve Dail, Andy Prickett, David Brotherton, and Trey Many are the players (with Jason Martin, J.R. McNeely, and T.W. Walsh behind the scenes). The sound is kind of like Neon Horse after getting a Black Sabbath enema. Songs like “Son Of Dawn” and “That’s Right” just pummel you with driving rhythms, while other songs like “City Sailor” bring that Sabbath doom. This is music best served on vinyl, and you better bet Northern Records gives you that option.
Glenn Rowlands – Vinegar Foot
Glenn Rowlands is back again with what may be one of his heaviest solo offerings yet. There seems to be a bit more Black Sabbath in the usual mix of Led Zep-fueled classic rock goodness. Eight music tracks and a bonus testimony from Glenn himself round out this disc – a little on the short side, but no filler to be found. You can also hear a little bit of the tumbleweed sounds of I Think I Can coming thorugh in the second half of the album – a nice touch that adds some interesting texture to the album. Rowlands doesn’t clone anybody – he just keeps putting out album after album of what I would call “good old hard rock.” Themes range from Church unity, to past demons, to resurrection. Trust me – this is not a half-baked wannabe indie rock effort. Glenn Rowlands is the real deal and I can promise you if you like the way I am describing this, you will like it. Listen for free on BandCamp to see for yourself.
Pospolite Ruszenie – Pospolite Ruszenie
Pospolite Ruszenie plays a brand of folk metal that is more on the metal side than the black/death metal side. They also are a bit different than the average folk metal band in that you get a great blend of traditional polish instruments and modern heavy metal. According to the press release: “The record showcases a modern approach to the more or less well-known musical and lyrical masterpieces of the Polish Mediaeval, Renaissance and Baroque period.” That pretty much describes what you get on this album – but don’t think you are getting an album of wimpy music. While a few songs do slow down for some variety, the majority of the songs are in your face metal. Everything from the vocals to the modern instruments to the classical instruments are well crafted. There is a lot of talent on display here. I highly recommend this to fans of folk metal that might something different than the usual folk metal, or fans of any type of heavy music that want something a bit different.
Unteachers – A Human Comedy
When I said A Human Comedy is a serious contender for album of the year in 2014, I wasn’t being flippant. This album stands head and shoulders above other albums in a year that saw a large number of really good albums. Stephen Mark Sarro and company have utilized what worked well for Tantrum of the Muse, taken it to the next level, put their own stamp on it, and ripped your face off in the process. Their Bandcamp page labels this as “metal noise progressive rock,” while I referred to it as “progressive punk hardcore” in my iTunes list… which just tells you how hard it is to classify the sound emminating from your speakers when consuming this slab of brilliance. “Fear Of Silence” makes an appearance from their previous split release, which is one of the many high points of the album. I also liked the twisted groove they found with “Swim With A Knife” as well as the time-bending album closer “Death Has Been Swallowed.” But there are really no songs to skip here. This is also available on vinyl with high quality packaging. Trust me on this one: you won’t be disappointed if you want some original music with meat to it.
The Waterboys – Modern Blues
One of my musical highlights last year was seeing The Waterboys live for the first time. They were on the Fisherman’s Blues box set tour. The live set jammed in as many classics as they could and they played one new song. The songs was called “Still a Freak”, a straight up blues number. With their new album called Modern Blues it seemed like they were making no bones about where this record was going musically.
Overall the production is tight and after about 4 listens there are a few hooks that I just can’t get out of my head. Standout tracks so far are “Destinies Entwined,” “November Tale,” and “The Girl Who Slept For Scotland”.
I just found out they are going to be in my area again soon touring “Modern Blues” and I can’t wait to see them again.
[2015 Kobalt | Purchase: mikescottwaterboys.com]Stranger Kings – Stranger Kings
Every so often I hear a band and make such a strong connection to the music that it becomes hard to even convey through words. Stranger Kings is one of those bands. It is a band that must be experienced by listening and it is an album that makes a connection in your soul. Fans of The Lassie Foundation will be pleased to hear Eric Campuzano (guitar) in action again, with a compelling band that also includes Herb Grimaud (bass), Holly Nelson (vocals) and Brady Esquivel (drums).
The Stranger Kings have completed a full length release of dynamic sounds and an aura that embodies the framework of what I would categorize as new wave or neo-psychedelia music. There is such a diverse element to each of the nine songs on their first full length release, and it elegantly spans musical genres and defies attempts to characterize or classify. When I first listened to this album I was really taken by the immense beauty of the music itself; there are elements of ambient, shoegaze, new wave and a healthy feeling of 80’s alternative/pop music completed by seamless layers and a monumental nod to the poetic beauty that lies in a very inwardly focused and contemplative perspective. It’s a unique record that carries the listener and creates a sincere appreciation for beauty that’s delivered in a very fluid and dreamy way.
The lyrics and the music are infused so perfectly that both compliment and protect each other in an exceptionally precise manner. This album is both pensive and joyous, thought provoking and analytical in beauty. The lyrics are poetic and the vocals are delivered in such a way that they ride the music and then crash and break against the backdrop of the experienced sound that has been created. This is a defining first release for a band. Stranger Kings have created a sonic drug, a stimulant for the mind and the emotions. This is music that creates a vibe, it paints a picture and carries you on a journey that is emotional and ever changing, and it carries you to a place strangely familiar, but equally treads new ground.
[2014 Northern Records | Purchase: store.northernrecords.com]Deni Gauthier – Let Your Heart Be Light
Deni Gauthier brings us an ep of stripped back Christmas classics, just in time for the holidays. This collection showcases some of Deni’s favorite Christmas tunes, most of which you are probably familiar with. The first track is probably the least known of the collection, Hawksley Workman’s “A House Or Maybe A Boat.” Even though I wasn’t familiar with this tune, it sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the ep. “Merry Little Christmas” has a nice romping rhythm section that will get your toes taping – probably my favorite song in this collection. The rest of the ep is a bit slower and at times more somber, closing up with “Christmas Time Is Here.” I could see my self snuggling up next to the fire and enjoying these songs with a hot beverage. Even though the songs are “stripped back”, they don’t sound stale (like so many generic folk/acoustic Christmas albums out there do). Deni puts a good bit of care and time into each cover that comes through in the recording. I recommend checking this one out before the new year is here. I’ve heard that Santa will automatically put you on his “nice” list if you do.
Theo Obrastoff – Christmas In The Churchyard
Theo Obrastoff returns with a Christmas album that is a bit different from Christmas albums you are used to hearing. Have you ever wondered what would happen if you mixed a traditional orchestral or jazz Christmas album with a more rock-oriented modern Christmas album? If so, then look no further. The result of a mixture like that would sound just like Christmas in the Churchyard. Starting off with an orchestra number, Theo then transitions into a spoken work welcome, then a piano rock number, then a jazz-influenced number, then an almost alt-rock number… continuing on with a mix of various styles covering classics and originals. Christmas in the Churchyard covers a good mix of styles that is held together by the fact that it never gets too heavy or out there. You don’t get too much jazz or too many new numbers or too many covers or too many orchestral numbers. Just a good balanced mix of all. There are also several guest appearances, including one from Mr. Basement Tapes himself, Mike Indest. Overall, a great album that will make a welcome addition to anyone’s Christmas music collection.
Broken – Broken EP
This three song EP is barely over six minutes long. Broken serves up another release of old school hardcore, sounding a bit more on the faster side of Revivalist. The energy and passion are also present on this release. Several labels seems to know how to find these old school hardcore bands that still have the energy to keep your attention. You can grab this for name your own price at the Thumper Punk BandCamp page.