Latest Posts

Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop – Love Letter for Fire

May 10, 2016

Singer-songwriter heavyweight Sam Beam (know mostly as Iron & Wine) has released another collaborative work, titled Love Letter for Fire. After 2015’s joint effort with Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Beam has teamed up with singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop, who is known for her experimentation with different genres. The result is a record of imaginative and heartfelt acoustic indie-folk that is both lively and melancholy. Their unique perspectives as composers compliment each other well. Musically, Beam’s jazzier tendencies are on display alongside Hoop’s experimental indie side. They find common ground with their inherent passion for both classic and modern folk music, offering floating arrangements with fingerpicked acoustic guitars and soft strings. Both singers posses a tender and soothing voice that gently cradles their poetic lyricism. Every composition is raw and rustic, featuring sparse percussion, complimentary violin and ornamental piano as add-ons to the predominant base of guitar and vocals. Tracks like[...]

Wylie Something – untitled, unfinished, yet mastered?

May 2, 2016

The latest offering from Wylie Something is a compilation called untitled, unfinished, yet mastered?, presumably a take on Kendrick Lamar’s untitled/unmastered. Wylie Something is the moniker for Buffalo-native turned Philadelphia-based college student, Jacob Smolinski. If you have been exposed to Smolinski’s other works (The Cascos, or most recently Local Onlys), then you know the musician is keen to writing features catchy and danceable indie rock. Released through local label Steak & Cake Records, it consists of songs he wrote over the past few years but didn’t know what to do with, assembled and mastered by producer Brandon Schila. Schila’s work extends beyond the production. He lends a hand on the compositions as well, taking on the role of bassist and drummer. Also present are backing vocals from Maggie Maloney. These contributions help round out the songs and bring Wylie’s tunes to life. Virtually every song is tight and compact, with[...]

Kevin Morby – Singing Saw

April 25, 2016

After a stint in the group Woods and a short lived side project The Babies, singer-songwriter Kevin Morby is now on his third solo record, titled Singing Saw. He has grown with each album, establishing a unique voice in a musical realm of familiarity. With pristine instrumentals and a storyteller-like prose, Singing Saw may be his best work yet. Nothing here is overly groundbreaking but, much like Tobias Jesso, Jr., he has managed to take the influence of well-traveled sounds and ideas and make them feel fresh and all his own. At moments throughout the album, you can draw lines back to the likes of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen or Lou Reed, but not without a deep look through Morby’s own lens. He expertly weaves together folk, rock, and Americana, pairing it with vintage and folksy lyricism. His signature hushed baritone voice gives everything a calming, almost hypnotic feel. Singing[...]

Harmonica Lewinski Releases Video for “The Slug”

April 19, 2016

Rochester garage-rock group Harmonica Lewinski has released a strange new video, on par with the act’s established demeanor. Harmonica Lewinski has made a name for itself with this aesthetic of lo-fi and trippy rock ‘n’ roll. Their latest single ‘The Slug” is the first taste of their forthcoming album Head Honcho, and their newest material since last year’s Naked Brunch. It calls to mind the sounds of the underground surf rock of the sixties combining it with modern garage punk influences. The single’s video companion really helps bring to life the slimy, DIY nature of the tune. Sure to be a hit at your next sleazy basement party, check out the video below.

Tonight: Worriers

April 12, 2016

Brooklyn’s Worriers will be making a stop in town tonight, headlining a basement show that should thrill punk fans who love all things heavy and loud. Joined by three Buffalo bands, Worriers are promoting their 2015 LP Imaginary Life, a record filled with Against Me! influenced indie-punk jams released via Don Giovanni Records. Two of the other acts featured will be celebrating new releases. Local punkers Basement Rat is releasing a cassette version of their album Pura Mujer. Also on the bill is On the Cinder, who will be celebrating the release of their latest album The Fight Against Ourselves. Rounding out the lineup is Grain Assault, who offer a chaotic brand of fast-paced punk. The show starts at 7pm at Hoyt House. Cover is $6 at the door, or free/pay what you can for under 18.

Tonight: Baio

April 8, 2016

While we wait patiently for the next offering from Vampire Weekend, their bass player Chris Baio (performing under the stage name Baio) is testing the waters of a solo career. For fans of the indie-rock group, his stop at the Waiting Room tonight is not to be missed. 2015 saw the release of Baio’s solid debut solo record The Names, featuring the catchy and danceable lead single “Sister of Pearl.” The album sees him stepping away from the familiarity of Vampire Weekend, finding his own unique voice and a sound that is all his own. Joining the lineup will be a pair of local Buffalo bands. Energetic indie-rockers M.A.G.S. and  kicking off the night is indie-pop act Parade Chic. For those hoping to score a last minute ticket, the show unfortunately is sold out. For everyone lucky enough to grab one, doors are at 7pm at the Waiting Room.

Ray LaMontagne – Ouroboros

April 4, 2016

On the latest from folk-rock veteran Ray LaMontagne, he takes his sound another step farther from his earlier material. Ouroboros is his sixth full-length studio album, and the sonic palette is as expansive as it’s ever been. The singer-songwriter has enlisted alternative rock favorites My Morning Jacket to serve as his backing band on the record, with their lead singer Jim James serving as producer. It’s James’ unique voice as producer that lends a helping hand in taking that next step. Musically, LaMontagne draws on the same influences that informed the cosmic rock of the early ‘70s, which combined elements of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, psychedelia, soul and folk. He claims that the album came to him in a dream, and therefore he needed to present it as one cohesive record. Much like his influences from the ‘70s, he utilizes the album format as an artistic vehicle. It’s not quite[...]

M. Ward – More Rain

March 31, 2016

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Matthew Ward (aka M. Ward) has released his 8th solo studio and first album since 2012, More Rain. The restless indie-folk favorite is known for his work with duo She & Him, super group Monsters of Folk, his own solo career, and producing work for countless other artists. More Rain is a nice collection of fun, but familiar, new tunes. Ward doesn’t stray far from his comfort zone on the new record. But why would he if it works? He has made a name for himself by fusing the sounds of classic folk, ‘50s do-wop, and ‘60s rock n roll all through the lens of a modern indie context. There is a certain appreciation for artists who have established a compelling sound and can continue to churn it out, without it feeling worn. More Rain does exactly that. In typical M. Ward fashion, the genre lines[...]

The Nudes – demos

March 8, 2016

After releasing their debut EP last year, The Nudes have compiled a collection of b-sides simply titled demos. Here, the Syracuse quartet offers songs that were recorded in a basement over the span of a couple years. Naturally, this provides a very DIY, lo-fi feel to their overall sound. demos starts off mellow but gradually picks up the pace, and by the third track, “i never know” they’ve hit their stride. Once “i never know” gets going, it sounds like it could be an early 60s rocker from the likes of The Kinks, or a modern equivalent from The White Stripes. This vibe permeates throughout most of the album. But amidst all of the grimy rock they mix in songs like “ghosts” and “hurt to feel” that feature electro-beats and arpeggiated synths. Together, it creates an interesting and enjoyable balance. The lead vocals predominately feature singer/guitars Mim Reading, with the occasional appearance of[...]

Kendrick Lamar – untitled/unmastered.

March 8, 2016

After several rumors surfaced last week regarding a new project, Kendrick Lamar surprise-released a compilation of previously unreleased material in the early hours of Friday morning. untitled unmastered. consists of eight tracks that were recorded during sessions for his 2015 masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly, but were eventually dropped in favor of other songs. Each song name is simply “untitled” followed by the date it was recorded, spanning 2013-2014. In untitled unmastered. all of the free-form jazz backing and dense lyricism is still present, but without the finely tuned narrative focus that was employed on To Pimp a Butterfly, it plays out like a loose jam session or rehearsal. It has the same inherent feel and inspiration as its predecessor, while at the same time taking on a life of its own by being presented in a new, unhinged context. The content of the album spans an array of subjects, as the[...]

School of Seven Bells – SVIIB

March 2, 2016

After nearly a decade, Alejandra Deheza is ending School of Seven Bells. Originally a trio, Deheza is lone founding member after her twin sister Claudia left in 2010 and Benjamin Curtis tragically passed away in 2013. SVIIB is the fourth and final album from the dream pop group, and serves as a tribute to their late member. Before his passing, Curtis was able to record new material with Deheza one last time, all of which is the basis of the new record. Baring a strong sonic resemblance to the production style of the 1980s, the album is filled with cascading synths and echoing drumbeats. Blending together elements of shoegaze rock and indie-pop, it achieves a sound that is both retro and modern. Throughout, Deheza’s vocals float hauntingly over top of it all, drenched in reverb and rounding out the dense, dreamscape arrangements. There is an inherent sadness that runs through the[...]

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[...]

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[...]

Boy Jr. – No Hard Feelings

February 2, 2016

No Hard Feelings is the debut EP from Boy Jr., musical brainchild of SUNY Purchase student Erica Allen-Lubman. Released just days before Christmas, Boy Jr.’s first effort is a solid collection of tunes. Written, performed, produced and recorded almost completely by herself, these five tracks are a fine sampling of DIY garage-rock from the Rochester based songwriter. Throughout, she employs a very lo-fi aproach, but the music never feels sloppy. It offers the right amount of minimal production you want from a garage-rocker, without sounding amateurish. Ms. Allen-Lubman sings loose, but never pitchy, with an alto-range voice and a vocal tone that has a feeling of carefree weightlessness. There is a touch of bright pop to it, just enough to supply a handful of rather catchy melodies and riffs. This is clear on the track “The Killers,” especially when the repeated eighth-note piano chords begin. But she never forgets the[...]