Latest Posts

Warpaint – Heads Up

November 2, 2016 Jake Sessanna

Warpaint is a sly quartet of women whose coolness seems unparalleled at times. Their style runs it’s course on you – it’s all-consuming, relaxed, sexy, slithery… Heads Up marks the band’s fourth release, with “New Song” as their debut single. “New Song” is Warpaint’s attempt at becoming a pseudo-electronica pop band. Roaring synths and malformed voices accompany typical soft vocals and a thumping bass. It’s safe the say the the chorus is catchy. A plate-y tambourine shakes on the one of every other measure serving the song as a calling card. The song eases from part to part, but maintains a form of pure excitement that consistently pulls you in. Other necessary listens are “Whiteout,” “So Good,” “Dre,” and “Today Dear”. “Whiteout” is this album’s first. Brilliant accented drums and distant guitar coo the listener. “You wouldn’t know it but you’re really in your prime,” is a sentiment one could[...]

The Leones – Ghost in the City

October 25, 2016 Jake Sessanna

Like something out of retro Gotham comes Ghost in the City, a melancholic gaze into the haunted homes of the album. For the most part, this gaze sets its eyes on love despite the album’s eerie, mysterious lyrical settings buttressed by the deep instrumentals. Ghost in the City tells it’s tall tales in Kurt Vile-style: The songs are usually five-and-a-half minutes or more. The men of The Leones, Justin Bachulak and Dustin Lau, used their indigo pallor to create something of wondrous quality. “Where I Want You” begins with brilliant retro synth that seems straight from the late Castlevania projects. A solid folk voice masked in some reverb joins the composition. The song talks of a girl named Anne. All she could do was “fold,” yet the main character (who seems creepy) sought her out for some reason. The guitar augments the final minute or so of the song, adding[...]

Tonight: Dogs in Stereo

October 13, 2016 Jake Sessanna

Dogs in Stereo is a relative of Travis Morrison’s Travistan or some of Jawbox’s work. Shrouded in lo-fi, Dogs in Stereo thrive on telling acoustic pieces often paired with classic retro drum tones and completely morphing effects like chorus. Their latest release, I Peaked in ’07, is a moody, deep twisted saga. “Finally Feelin'” is reminiscent of Mac Demarco’s old releases. Joining Dogs in Stereo at Milkie’s is Moody Cosmos and Suburbs. The first is a Fredonia-bred psych pop group that sounds like Girls and the other is an upbeat side project of Tomoreaux/Holland Purchase. Doors are at 8pm with a $5 cover.

Hundred Plus Club – For You

October 3, 2016 Jake Sessanna

Hundred Plus Club is an impressive group that shred something similar to Tokyo Police Club and Dinosaur Bones. For You, their newest six-song effort, is a glorious scientific approach to solid indie rock that will make you want to see them live. The first track, “Reversed” starts off with post-punk distorted guitar chords. Then, the whole band kicks in with deliberate fashion – the song is very urgent despite sufficient reverb. “But I never know what you’re think of, what you’re thinking on,” tells the sad story of relatable anxiety. The verses are stuffed with full-sounding guitar chord strums. The chorus’ guitars bounce excitingly between the phones. There’s one last flourish before the song ends as timely as it began. “Entropy” is more bass-y than the first song – a lush electric bassline pulls the listener in. These boys remain just as urgent. The middled guitar manages your interest in[...]

Oh Manitou Releases New Singles

September 28, 2016 Jake Sessanna

Oh Manitou, a Rochester-based indie act still in their infancy, released duel singles”People I’d Like To Be” and “Once Again” last week. The songs, notably “People I’d Like To Be” showcase immense talent as Oh Manitou embarks on quite the sonic journey. All instruments (keys, vocals, guitars, the like) are played with noteworthy skill and their notes were chosen with great care along with production savviness. The tune commences with a brilliant horn and woodwind introduction. Guitar work and cymbal embellishments are the bow on the present. Then, a chorused and distorted guitar nudges the song awake. “People I’d Like to Be” fills out with bass, drums, and a unique lead. While toms and tambourine shakes fill the air, vocals take to the forefront – awesome harmonies carry you away. “Falling into the sea watching the stars align,” is a perfect way to describe this song, but the sight must be equally as[...]

Settlement – MOCT

September 19, 2016 Jake Sessanna

Like a comet across Lake Erie’s vast sky shines Settlement, a new Buffalo-based band composed guitarist/vocalist Dan Moscov, bassist/vocalist Mike Dagonese, and drummer Adam Lilley. The band sounds like Balance and Composure at times fronting lonely, saddening compositions. At other times, Settlement gets heavy like O’Brother, their heavyheartedness clearly demonstrated by clear, dark, beefy instrumentals. This six-song extended play was recorded by freelance audio engineer Ron Hensberry and mixed and mastered by John Angelo. The album starts off with “Preparations.” A passing jet engine’s call and rapid sixteenth notes on the hi hats fill the headphones. Soon, a clean guitar riff embraces the ears in tandem with a rumbly bass. The instruments tell tales on their own without lyrics. An adventure between the ears is maintained as a secondary guitar riff adds to the mix. From there is “Setting Forth,” a rather heavy track that brandishes chugging guitar and distorted bass. On the[...]

Full Body Drops “Magnesium Deficiency” Singles

September 13, 2016 Jake Sessanna

Full Body, a slackrock trio from Rochester, released two versions of one song, “Magnesium Deficiency,” on August’s final day. The first, “Magnesium Deficiency,” is a quick punk song with fuzzy bass, robust electric guitar, and Blink-182-like lead vocals. The second, dubbed “Mag Def,” is a beautiful, slowed down take of the same song with the addition of synth, easier vocals and drums, and chorused guitar. Both versions are equally as potent. Both carry the same relatable lyrical lines, such as “Validation is a curse,” and “Everything that’s not yours is shared.” But, for separation’s sake, the first sounds like Dads and the second is something you’d hear from Balance and Composure. Check out the demos below, and stayed tuned for their upcoming split with Soft Cough.