Album Reviews

Mammoth Grinder – Cosmic Crypt

February 21, 2018

It’s been five long, painfully quiet years, but Austin death metal trio, Mammoth Grinder, is back via Relapse Records with a new album, Cosmic Crypt, that will haunt your dreams. Since coalescing in 2006, Chris Ulsh (Power Trip, Impalers), Mark Bronzino (Iron Reagan) and Ryan Parrish (Iron Reagan, Darkest Hour) have plagued the world with their awesomely unholy and bangover-inducing punk infected death metal. Cosmic Crypt, their sophomore full-length, is a non-stop, bruising and frenetic 11-track offering that casts a macabre spell on your eardrums. Each chaotic song bears the weight of crushing blackness as the album propels you faster and faster through an infinite abyss fueled by an evil that transcends space and time. It’s fast, it’s heavy and it’ll give you whiplash. The songwriting and musicianship behind Cosmic Crypt is thrilling and amplified by the band’s crisp self-recordings and Arthur Rizk’s (Power Trip, Sepultura, Inquisition) mixing. Ulsh’s doomy[...]

Brat’ya –Desire

December 21, 2017

2017 is almost history (thankfully) but former Buffalo-based electronica artist/producer Aleksander Ogadzhanov (aka Brat’ya) isn’t done with us yet, with a sophomore album Desire that’s beguilingly one of the most outstanding albums from an expat this year. A luminescent expression of synthwave and 90’s R&B, Desire is a bold and soulful work that showcases a confident artist fearlessly out there vulnerably searching for love/beauty/truth/freedom/sumptuous sonic bliss with 80’s synthesizers and an expressive, honest falsetto that definitely gets the job done. Achingly minimalist, “Fog” provides Desire with a yearning, confessional start that finds a seductive groove that gives Ogadzhanov a chance to channel his inner Passion Pit and showcase his assured falsetto early to achieve early lift off before diving into the seedy and darkish underworld of title track “Desire” about the tyranny of our never-ending quest for satisfaction. “Girl” is straight up one-man band boy band R&B, with irresistible breakbeats, sly lyrics, and treated[...]

Tart Vandelay – Flow

December 20, 2017

Rochester indie pop rock act Tart Vandelay have released their second EP. Aptly titled Flow, it is a jazzy and tranquil four song trip. Originally a duo, the now four-piece group is building off of their 2016 debut, which featured more of a loop-based pop inflection. On Flow, the band is blending ethereal and polished tones together, achieving a smooth and breezy sound. Lead singer Katie Halligan’s voice shifts just as well as the music does; as light and airy as the most laid-back jazz moments, and as full-throated as the heavier rock moments. The EP opens with “High Noon Haze,” a vibey slow burn tune that casually floats along. “Lonely Girl” is a shuffling indie jazz-rock tune reminiscent of early John Mayer. The pace starts to pick up slightly on “Cloudy Doubts,” which rides a beachy vibe and syncopated groove. By the closing track, “Drifting,” they’ve reached full fusion,[...]

Malarchuk EP

Malarchuk – s/t

November 17, 2017

Emerging from a dark cavern somewhere beneath the earth, one of the top groups in Buffalo’s metal scene, Malarchuk have unleashed their new self titled EP. It’s a winding journey that carries you through heavy riffs, some 70s prog rock goodness, and doom rock passages that are held together strong by engaging melodic progressions. Making up Malarchuk are guitarist, Tim Domes, Patrick Johnson on bass and vocals, and drummer,  Adam Hinckley. An important thing to note is that although this is coming out as Malarchuk’s EP, as a kind of throwback to prog rock of years gone by, this album is the length of some band’s LPs. Coming in at over 35 minutes of rock, but with only four tracks on the record, prog fans will know what that means. The track, “Night Tear’r (Longjammer)” comes in at over 15 minutes for instance. In that span of time, Malarchuk really show off[...]

Bruiser and Bicycle – You’re All Invited

November 8, 2017

Bruiser and Bicycle are something else to say the least… The Albany quartet has just released an other-wordly EP, aptly titled You’re All Invited… Maybe it’s because it was released on Halloween, but they self-describe YAI as “spooky.” While they’re certainly right, they are just-as-certainly not a scary, one-trick-pony. Their particular brand of indie rock sounds delicate, almost as if it’s ready to fall apart at any turn… and yet it’s obvious how carefully crafted this EP is. It’s an eerie adventure through five songs, a journey that guides the listener through multiple twists and turns as they careen through the unpredictable course of this sprawling EP. “Trading Paint for Kisses” is an explosion of an opener – immediately, the listener is hit with a wall of noise-rock, chock-full of roaring fuzz tones and near-atonal guitar screeching. The band meanders constantly; first, a bouncy riff that would please any 90’s emo enthusiast. They casually[...]

Huns – Vom Fruhling

November 3, 2017

The Buffalo trio Huns give you what you need and none of the filler with their eclectic brand of instrumental rock/metal. Finding your fix for instrumental music that strikes a balance between interesting and listenable can be a challenge. Sometimes, that sonic pendulum can swing. A song may simply be a repetition of the same riff or beat or it’ll be an instrumental that’s so far out there, it turns into being different for difference sake. Which is why what Huns are able to do on their album, Vom Fruhling is such a riveting journey. Made up of members, Brandon Schmitt on guitar, Jake Whitefield on bass, and Frank DiMaria on drums, Huns make a huge, interesting sound with a few moving parts. It’s tough to know exactly what their pedal boards might look like, but chances are it’s varied enough to attain the breadth of sounds they’re able to[...]

Dirt War - Loss

Dirt War – Loss

October 26, 2017

Cascading down from some place on high comes falling to earth, hardcore doom rockers Dirt War with  their newly released EP, Loss. Formed from the missing and severed limbs of various Buffalo groups, it’s possible you haven’t heard Dirt War yet. Their last recording was a Demo from 2015. But after giving Loss a listen, it won’t be easy to forget them. In the realm of doom, stoner, metal/rock, things can get both stale and confusing. With multiple different classifications and genres floating around, and a tendency for some bands to simply sit back and hash out a groove for 20 minutes, the realm has its fair share of bands that, well, tend to sound the same. Either by accident or design. But, on Loss, Dirt War go left instead of right. The band uses a dual bass setup and forgets about guitars all together. This isn’t a gimmick, it’s a[...]

Zan Strumfeld – Book of Belonging

September 29, 2017

It has been a bit a journey for singer-songwriter Zan Strumfeld to get to her latest release. The new effort, Book of Belonging, was written after the dissolving of a long term relationship this past winter. The Troy-based artist had been on a hiatus from music since releasing two EPs in 2013. Working as a full-time writer, Strumfeld was thrust back into the world of songwriting this year as the story of her heartbreak unexpectedly presented itself in album form. Book of Belonging was recorded in a living room with the assistance of a small, tight band; only a light peppering of upright bass, acoustic guitars and percussion round out these arrangements. Having been recorded on an 8-track, there is an added warmth and intimacy to the album; a warmth that provides respite when paired with the wintery nature of Strumfeld’s words. The mixing is precise and focused, putting every[...]

Pink Elephant – Around Your Neck

September 4, 2017

Rochester garage/noise-rock outfit, Pink Elephant are hot off their recently released single, and have dropped a new LP, Around Your Neck on 20 Blood Records. The four piece consists of Eric Witkowski on vocals and guitar, Greg Wilcox rocking the bass, Jeff Thompson banging on the drums, and Nick Walter rounding out the group on guitar. Around Your Neck is a conjoined effort to put out some solid tracks that bridge the gap between pysch-noise and post-rock. What sets Around Your Neck apart from other alt-rock records is with its diversity. There’s so much going on with the record that things never get stale, like week old bread left out on the counter. These songs aren’t a band trying to reinvent themselves, or a band straining to be “different”. Instead, this diversity just shows how strong Pink Elephant are as a band. Songs like the title track, “Around Your Neck”[...]

Iron & Wine – Beast Epic

September 1, 2017

On his sixth studio album, Sam Beam feels like he’s come full circle. When he first started out, Iron & Wine was a solo acoustic vehicle, defined by his DIY lo-fi home recordings. With each subsequent release, his sound evolved and his band expanded, all the while helping to define the indie folk movement of the last decade. On Beast Epic, there is a shift back to an acoustic-centric focus, but with years of experience now giving both fresh weight and familiarity to this set of songs. Beam’s poignant, narrative lyricism and trademark hushed-vocals have always been the winning ingredient to Iron & Wine’s music. It is what has allowed him to glide seamlessly through different styles and sonic palettes during his career without losing the warmth and immediacy of his songwriting. No matter what’s happening on the surface, whether it’s the orchestral jazz-folk of 2013’s Ghost On Ghost, or[...]

Bare Mattress – Some Great Magnet Pulls

August 22, 2017

Albany bedroom electronica act Bare Mattress dropped a tasteful EP of low key jams at the end of last month by the name of Some Great Magnet Pulls, and it’s irresistible vaguely vaporwave sonic textures and pulsating basslines will be ideal for your late night and or early morning come down/chill out sessions. Wrapped around a sinewy guitar and minimalist synths, “Toil Is” feels like a mantra set to a neon 80’s beat  before a very British New Wave guitar solo pulls it all together. The British New Wave vibe continues on “Then What,” a tightly stripped down joint with a minimalist approach to the synths and an insistent Peter Hook baseline. “Leasejumper” trades 80’s electronic dance rhythms for a thunderous backbeat that echoes, suspended in space before floating back to earth on the gorgeous fade out that is the LIN drum and ear candy caress of “Stars.” As much I enjoy the warmth of a[...]

Roger Bryan and the Orphans – 9er

August 18, 2017

Buffalo indie rock veterans Roger Bryan and the Orphans are back with a sparkly new EP of material ideally timed for wrapping up the summer season, looking ahead to fall, and giving it all a fuzzy folk rock kiss. 9er is a tight and thoroughly refreshing burst of Midwestern/Rust Belt sonic and emotional earnestness that recalls the stomping, charged up vintage 90’s Wilco sound I’ve frankly kind of been missing these last few years. “Man Of Time” is a series of musical sweet spots hit: plaintive vocals and guitar strumming give way to bittersweet harmonies and potent yet understated riffs that verge on anthemic. Wistful and beguiling, “Nowhere Else” is a psychedelic country rock gem that keeps lifting itself higher with it’s casually intricate vocal harmonies and modestly triumphant guitar rock heroism, while lead single “Whylife” is all searching Gen X angst and soaring guitars before crashing you back to earth. 9er is a[...]

Manchester Orchestra – A Black Mile to the Surface

August 4, 2017

Indie rock stalwarts Manchester Orchestra have returned with their fifth album, A Black Mile to the Surface. It follows a several year gap that saw the departure of multi-instrumentalist Chris Freeman, the birth of founding member Andy Hull’s daughter, as well as Hull and lead-guitarist Robert McDowell scoring the Daniel Radcliffe-Paul Dano led film Swiss Army Man. The new record is yet another departure in sonic aesthetic, something the band has done with every release throughout their career. Starting out in the emo realm with I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child in 2006, it has been a meteoric rise the last 11 years, with the band expanding and advancing their sound every step of the way, as they became one of alternative music’s more beloved acts. Each record has been a new experience that both builds on and pivots away from the previous one, first with supercharged alt.-rock (Mean[...]

Slow Dancer - In A Mood

Slow Dancer – In A Mood

July 7, 2017

“Less is more.” It may be one of those little things you’ve heard flutter by you, said on a commercial or by a wise elderly neighbor. So, in trying to be on the lookout for new and exciting music, the idea of “less is more” is sometimes not a criteria that’s really ever considered. The new record titled, In A Mood by Slow Dancer, released on ATO Records on June 9th, wants to make you rethink that notion. Slow Dancer is the stage name for vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Simon Okely who hails from Melbourne, Austrailia. The strongest element on In A Mood is Okely’s vocals which are smooth yet powerful, like a croon that reaches out to touch you. The vocals are supported by a mix of throwback 60s and 70s folk and blues with strong pop song-writing. Everything is kept in harmony, never letting one element over power another.[...]

Amber Arcades – Cannonball EP

May 29, 2017

Two days may not seem like a lot of time to cut an EP, but Dutch artist Amber Arcades (aka Annelotte de Graaf) finished the Cannonball EP during her time off in New York from touring supporting Nada Surf. The EP follows the release of de Graaf’s debut album Fading Lines last year, which featured members of Real Estate, Quilt, and The Men. Nick Drake’s “Which Will” gets a new twist from de Graaf, trading Drake’s acoustics for an electric punch through the guitars. While it is a different interpretation sonically, the cover still pays homage to the message of the song, carrying a strong feeling of somberness as de Graaf’s vocals light the way through the hazy Krautrock instrumentals. On the third track “Wouldn’t Even Know,” Bill Ryder-Jones adds depth to the track with his somber crooning, which pairs well with the contrast of de Graaf’s lighter voice. The[...]