Latest Posts

The Branch Davidians – Sex, Death, and Things Less Boring

August 3, 2016

The Branch Davidians have released their EP Sex, Death, and Things Less Boring. Based in Rochester, the band began as an indie folk duo, before lead man Ben Stephanus expanded both the size of the group and the scope of its sound. Their five-song release is full of fuzz and shoegazey vibes. The lead guitar’s grimy buzz is a consistent force throughout the EP. They fuse throwback ‘90s tendencies with noise-rock elements to achieve a dissonant pop sound. Stephanus’ vocals are trippy with a dash of reverb, and reminiscent of melodies from underground ‘60s rock. The groovy “Bridges of Madison County” sounds like it could be a pop tune from The Zombies fed through the lens of a Tame Impala rocker. The lead guitar riff on “Your Sex Wants You Dead” is textbook pop punk, but with much more distortion. It’s not until the final track, “Blessed Water,” that the[...]

Mitski – Puberty 2

July 5, 2016

While attending SUNY Purchase, indie-rocker Mitski self released her first two albums. After graduating, she signed with Double Double Whammy to release a third. Now with Dead Oceans Records, her fourth studio album Puberty 2 is an earnest look at growing up. She likens the pain and awkwardness of this major transition into adulthood as a second form of puberty. Though slightly more polished, lo-fi production is still at the heart of it all for Mitski. She neatly combines drum machines with rousing electric guitars, and employs a vocal distortion that brings her rich, mid-range voice to life. This effect perfectly compliments the tone of her lyrics, as she somberly details life’s qualms and inevitable loneliness. The arrangements are raucous and range between delicately sparse and all-out in your face, reminiscent of life’s ups and downs. The overall focus of Puberty 2 can be seen as contemplation of meaning and[...]

The Hotelier – Goodness

June 21, 2016

Massachusetts natives The Hotelier are just a little bit lighter on their latest release. The underground emo revival champions’ third record, Goodness, was prefaced with a statement from lead singer-bassist Christian Holden. In it, he indicated a subtle shift from deep introspection to contemplation of outwardly relations, with people and the world. While the album may not be as dark as its predecessor, it is still thematically heavy and packs an emotional punch. Goodness starts out with just Holden softly delivering a spoken-word poem. From there, thunderous drums and heavy guitars take over. He varies his vocal tone throughout, from barely audible quietness to over the top yelling. It is a pure rock record, but with well-varied dynamics that give it its kick to the gut. There are moments where the music builds to a chaotic crescendo, only to be suddenly stripped away to nothingness. It perfectly mirrors and accompanies[...]

Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial

June 8, 2016

Recording under the moniker Car Seat Headrest, Will Toledo has self-released eight albums between 2010 and 2015. He finally made his major label debut last year with Teens of Style, a collection of reimagined tracks from his previous albums, now performed with fuller arrangements. This year, he has a new batch of songs with an even more expansive sound for his second album on Matador Records, and tenth overall. Titled Teens of Denial, it is an epic foray into full-tilt indie rock. Toledo is pumping life back into guitar-driven indie, infusing it with the prog influences of the ‘70s and the catchy tunefulness of the ‘60s. He makes use of overlaid spoken word, screamed backing vocals, ornamental synths and horns, and layers upon layers of heavily distorted guitars. There are no tight 3-minute rockers here, as each song is carefully composed and the arrangements are fully fleshed out. The record has an effervescent ebb and flow to it, twisting seamlessly[...]

Dreambeaches – Habits

June 5, 2016

I’ll cut to the chase: These guys are good. Let’s just say I listened to them a few times for fun. Dreambeaches is a colorful quartet that’s barely a year old. Habits’ cover art does them justice, as does their Facebook promo photo take on fruit salad. This extended play is one that takes you on a trip. The music is unique, serene, and psychedelic. You’ll find yourself indulging in the bass-heavy, rhythmically-inclined songs. RIYL The Shins, Snowmine, Foals, and (at times) Tame Impala. Habits, the four-piece’s debut release, begins with “Tiny Spirits.” The track starts off with chirping birds. The band follows suit with some chirping of their own. “I’m tired of looking at life through a window,” is sung as the band plays in melodic and rhythmic symmetry. A wet-sounding deep synth keeps the band grounded through the ongoing tumult. Next, “Habits,” is decidedly beach pop. The catchy composition forces your[...]

PUP – The Dream Is Over

May 31, 2016

Toronto punk rockers PUP are back with their second full-length album. The title, The Dream Is Over, is apparently a jab at vocalist-guitarist Stefan Babcock’s doctor. After incessant touring following their 2014 self-titled debut, Babcock’s vocal cords were shredded. His doctor informed him that the dream was, in fact, over. Instead of calling it quits, the group defiantly pushed forward, bringing forth a sophomore album full of dark wit and in your face punk rock. The record opens with a gradual ascension into chaos as “If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You, I Will” asserts a severe and earnest sentiment towards life on the road. From there, it’s a non-stop parade of heavy guitars, aggressive drums, yelled gang-vocals, and self-loathing. The riffs are satisfyingly catchy, suggesting a pop inflection on their unapologetic edginess. The album possesses a drunken swagger and laments life’s many failed relationships and endeavors. The Dream Is Over feels like the youthful melancholy of The Front Bottoms combined[...]

Evil Wizardry – The Garden

May 4, 2016

On April 25, Evil Wizardry released the condensed, electronic beauty that is The Garden. Evil Wizardry is a Utica-grown ambient, dream pop, noise band. A summary of those genres is: Though there are vocals and lyrics to this 5-song EP, don’t try to listen close without a lyric sheet, or your head might explode. It’s spacious vibes can certainly be appreciated, but everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Try to think your way through these songs and you’ll find yourself strangled by the racket rather than cozied in its trippy waves. “Trance Path” begins with a trance drum beat and jangly nineties guitar. Soon, expressive vocal phrases show their heads, though altogether, the song is a warped, making you bend over to listen closer to the somehow distant music. “Trance Path” ends with guitar bouncing up and down from the speakers. Song Two, “Gordon’s First Informal[...]

ROMP – Departure From Venus

March 14, 2016

When two individuals meet via Tinder, one would be safe to assume that there is a certain “connection” waiting to be made. That swipe to the right might result in a new partner if you catch my drift. In our age of digital love, what does a Tinder swipe really mean? In the case of Madison Klarer and Lucas Dalakian, Tinder was the vehicle that helped them create a completely professional musical relationship, aptly-named ROMP. Stranger things have happened, right? Either way, ROMP specializes in fun, synth-laden pop rock that’s riding the third-wave of nerd-chic acts a la Front Bottoms and Modern Baseball with a female-fronted touch (think Field Mouse or Tancred). In yet another stellar “aptly-named” decision, ROMP decided to name their first LP Departure From Venus. Themes of alienation, confusion, and twenty-something woes permeate the nine-songs on DFV. Opening track “Backfire” is an archetypal example of ROMP’s specialties – bouncy pop-punk about the awkwardness[...]

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – This Unruly Mess I’ve Made

February 29, 2016

Seattle-based hip-hop duo, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, have a lot to say on their sophomore album. This Unruly Mess I’ve Made is a hodgepodge of genres, thoughts and stories. A lot of the tracks do actually hit their mark, while others fall short of the massive hype. Musically, the pair continues their brand of underground-cultivated indie-gospel, with heartfelt piano, dramatic strings and joyous choir. Unfortunately, the lyrical content is all over the map. The record starts off earnestly enough, with a song about Ben Haggerty’s (aka Macklemore’s) disdain for award show culture. But after that it begins to wander through a strange assortment of politically charged, inspiring tunes and quirky joke-rap. The contrast between the two doesn’t quite add up to the overall intellectual statement Haggerty would like it to be, instead creating a frustrating ambivalence toward a record that could have been truly great. The silly tracks actually undermine the[...]

Hinds – Leave Me Alone

February 16, 2016

Hinds’ debut album Leave Me Alone is bursting with sunny energy. Direct from Madrid, Spain, these indie rockers come out with a bang. Leave Me Alone was released in the middle of winter and their spin on garage-rock pop is a much-needed doldrums-reliever. From the first echoing, reverb-laden chord of the album, these four ladies have you hooked. The music spouts easygoing vibes and playful mirth, fit to accompany a beach party. Catchy guitar riffs jangle while carefree rhythms achieve the right kind of groove for a summer’s night.  Mix in some old-school punk undertones (a la The Velvet Underground) and you can’t help but get carried away with these tunes. But it’s the vocals that really bring the album to life. Co-singers Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perotte share lead duties, singing most often in unison rather than in harmony. They weave in and out of the melody with an[...]

J. Cole – Forest HIlls Drive: Live from Fayetteville, NC

February 12, 2016

J. Cole released his fourth album,  Forest Hills Drive: Live from Fayetteville, NC at the tail end of January. This is a live album of Cole’s third album Forest Hills Drive, except with the bonus addition of “Note to Self.” The album is very different from the studio version. The intimacy, and emotion with his lyrics are brought to life. The big hits like “Fire Squad,” “Wet Dreamz,” and “G.O.M.D.” are told with so much passion emotion that the listener will feel as if they were at the concert with their eyes closed. Forest Hills Drive: Live from Fayetteville, NC runs through each song starting with “Intro” and ending with “Love Yourz.” Throughout this album, you get a chance to experience J. Cole on a personal level. The story he tells through Forest Hills Drive is explained in easier terms through this live album. It gives us an intimate experience where we[...]

MONEY – Suicide Songs

February 9, 2016

Hailing from Manchester, England, MONEY’s aim is wide on their sophomore album. Titled Suicide Songs, the album takes on a large, atmospheric scope, and a tonality of self-oblivion. Here, lead singer and songwriter Jamie Lee tackles isolation and despair head on. He calls to mind The Smiths (with whom they share a hometown), a band that had a penchant for this kind of melancholy. Dealing primarily with loneliness, Lee accompanies his words with long instrument drones, lilting rhythms, exploding horns and lush strings. The arrangements truly are beautiful and the resonant production lends a perfect touch to the epic, almost uplifting musical tone. The overall combination creates a dual feeling of hope and desolation. Lee’s voice is thick-accented, rugged and meandering, reminiscent of The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan. He achieves an almost mellow, calming sound that is at the same time rough around the edges, especially when he reaches for the[...]

Prince Daddy & The Hyena – Adult Summers

December 1, 2015

Prince Daddy & The Hyena has me baffled. They’ve just put out something truly unique, an almost unclassifiable sounding new EP called Adult Summers. My attempt at classification: take equal parts Andrew W.K. and The Hotelier, and toss in a dash of The Locust. One of their songs even sounds like Atom and his Package. Either way, their music is fast, loud, and weird… In a good way. A very good way. Amidst the aggression, there’s a cavalcade (yes, a cavalcade) of really impressive and beautiful guitar work, not to mention the myriad of other creative noises peppered into the mix. At any rate, Prince Daddy & co. are pushing the limits of whatever genre they’re defying. In order to truly describe this band, you’ll probably just need to use the word “party.” If it’s not apparent by their irreverent approach to musicianship, Prince Daddy & the Hyena are a release from Broken World[...]

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – It’s A Holiday Soul Party

December 1, 2015

It’s not that holiday music stinks per se, it’s the fact that holiday music is bloody ubiquitous for a solid month; weaponized against us every time we go into a store (notably, except for The People’s Wegman’s on Amherst St). There’s also a lot of terrible holiday music out there, which doesn’t go well with the whole ubiquity thing, a shame considering most music fans have a holiday music stash of their own they annually retreat into. Beach Boys Christmas singles, “Christmas In Hollis,” Mr. Hanky’s Christmas Classics, Flaming Lips’ psychedelic Yuletide jams… we’ve all got something  that makes our ears feel warm and fuzzy in the month of December. Enter It’s A Holiday Soul Party, the latest from Daptone Records stalwarts Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, a dynamite multi denominational collection of holiday classics that provides some serious emotional release while showcasing the incredible range and power of Miss Jones, and[...]

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Paper Mâché Dream Balloon

November 10, 2015

If you haven’t heard of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, here’s a short history of the band’s existence. They formed in 2010 in Melbourne, literally as a side-project/joke band. They released the hard-hitting 12 Bar Bruise in 2012. It was mostly garage-ey psych punk revival. The next year saw two completely different, completely amazing albums released from the band. The first, Eyes Like The Sky, was a spaghetti-western themed album that really is in the realm of spoken word. Float Along- Fill Your Lungs was the second that year, which was more of a pure psych-rock album complete with time changes, lofty melodies, and of course, a 16 minute long song. 2014 saw the band drop two more albums, and in early 2015, Quarters!, a collection of four ten-minute songs that was just recently nominated for “best jazz album” of all things, as a part of the ARIA awards, was released[...]