Latest Posts

Kvlt Ddy – Springing Graves

March 22, 2016

Kvlt Ddy (pronounced “Cult Daddy”) is a band native to Syracuse that issued their fifth release, extended play Springing Graves, a little more than a week ago. The EP’s cool color schemed cover art looks like a beautifully violent fuse of Avatar‘s prettiest foliage and The Terminator’s skinless skull –  an accurate visual for the music, oddly enough. Kvlt Ddy’s self-proclaimed pop bummer rock and lo-fi emo genres justly portray their songs. Kyle Beam, Alex Palumbo, and friends composed shoegaze with two different stylistic foci: synth-heavy, effect-drenched shoegaze, and a fuzzy, distant, noisy variant. Admittedly, the group’s duality helps give the three song-EP an overall lost feel. Springing Graves makes it easy for you to keep your head down and bob about half-wittingly, forgetting your troubles. “Lingering Will” is the first song off this boisterous crew of recordings, the name providing effortless foreshadowing for what is to come. The tune begins with a clean,[...]

PineSheets – Casual Frustrations

March 16, 2016

… Think a completely synthetic Elvis Depressedly meshed with the trippy-ness of Youth Lagoon. The previous ellipse is necessary as it reflects Casual Frustrations‘ tendency to slow your breathing as you become entangled in its dizzying churn. For PineSheets’ new EP, sole songwriter/producer, Joseph Vita, wrote six cohesive songs, their simplicity bordering on nothingness. The songs as a whole represent the stale depression Vita experiences throughout his daily affairs. Via R&B, soul, and experimentation, PineSheets succeeds in creating an attractive EP. Casual Frustrations kicks off with the whimsical, fluttering “Can’t Wait.” About a minute in, the piece transforms into a noticeably jazzier mix, in which Vita sensually creeps forth eventually singing about his excitement to give his love some sugar. The lead single, “Sunday Afternoon,” takes you on a twisting journey through the latter half of the weekend (typically the less exciting half). Vita exclaims, “I need to find something to occupy[...]

Kimmy Reveals Debut EP

March 11, 2016

Pear, by Kimmy, is a recent release by the Buffalo group deeply immersed in the thrashing indie rock scene.  With vocals that sound like a punk-y Kevin Drew (sometimes even King Krule), the band sports an interesting dynamic for listeners here, there, and everywhere.   Instrumentally, Kimmy is the younger brother of The Blood Brothers, and a cousin to Pissed Jeans.   Unafraid of technical dynamics and rhythms, the newly formed band teamed up to record with Steak & Cake Records’ head honcho/producer, Brandon Schlia.  Kimmy writes mosh-worthy tunes meant to shake off whatever parasite’s within.  One listen through will make you wonder why the pear on the album cover isn’t skinned and leafless. The EP kicks off with “Parasite,” which cuts like a dirty, rusted blade.  The artwork continues onto “Mutt,” a six-and-a-half minute song with plenty of intense instrumentals.  The lyrics, “… sometimes, this is not enough,” give the musical piece[...]