Bill Mallonee always delivers an unparalleled amount of genuinely solid music. The output is overwhelming sometimes to just try and keep up with. The thing that is striking is not just how many amazing songs he writes, but also how good they all are. Never an artist to waste words, Mallonee crafts his life on…
With so many of our musical heroes making new music, it is easy to forget that there are high quality new bands making music. Pacifico has released an album that can stand toe to toe with many of their peers and mentors to compete for a limited spot in my listening time. These songs are…
This album is brilliance. I just don’t know what else to say. Many other reviewers have tried to describe how this album fits in with other Daniel Amos classics. I don’t even know how to start down that path. If you like Daniel Amos, you will probably love this album. If you have not been…
Harder electronic, industrial-influenced, ebm… I’m not sure what to call Human 2.7, but I always like their output. They are darker than most “techno” bands, but easier to listen to than industrial (and I say that as a fan of true industrial). The closest act that I can think of that readers might be familiar…
I will just come out and say this is my favorite Lifesavers album. Heaven High combines the energy of Huntington Beach with the catchiness of Poplife and the lyrical depth of Dream Life… and then mixes in all the new influences Knott and company bring to the table. Co-writer and bassist Joshua Lory shows that…
Basement Tapes alumnus Dw Dunphy is back with his latest collection of tunes for your enjoyment. Dunphy has described The Radial Night as a “song cycle that is, itself, about circles, cycles, patterns, and traps.” That description is really the best starting point. The music style of this album is a good mixture of indie,…
Industrial metal is one of the few genres to never really become overcrowded and overdone. Sure, there were a lot of bands jumping on the NIN/Manson band wagon back in the day, but it’s not like we were drowning in clones like we were with grunge or ska. And the fact that NIN and Manson…
Fans of crafty electric guitar and bands like Porcupine Tree, Belew-era King Crimson and The Police will want to check out this King Never EP. It’s a straight-shooting representation of what this tightly-knit trio can do on stage. Until I get the chance to see it happen in Chicago, I’ll be spinning 37. I’ve been…
The Dissident Prophets (aka The Maccabees) are back! The Prophets were more active in the late 1990s/early 2000s before disappearing for a while. I often hear them compared to L.S. Underground. While that is an influence or comparison, there is really a different vibe to DP that is not as dark as LSU. Which is…
You either love The Ocean Blue or you just haven’t heard of them. Or you just aren’t into jangy-dreamy-alterna-indie pop. The Ocean Blue is pretty much one of the best at that sound, and now they are back with a new album. I know what you are thinking – when bands like this disappear for…