My love for Killing Joke is a rewarding experience. Just the other morning I saw a post about this band I knew nothing about, Reverend And The Makers , and was treated to their latest single “Bassline” from the upcoming @Reverend_Makers album. “Bassline” is a thumping dance track that’ll have you on your feet and hopping the second it kicks in. Kind of like the Happy Mondays on speed (Now THAT’S a scary thought!), Reverend create some compelling beats and rhythms with some crisp [...]
Spin Cycle: Baddies’ “Build”
If Devo ever decide to call it day, Baddies is the band that the torch needs to be passed to. Part Devo (“Man Made Man”), part Queens of the Stone Age (“These Animals”), part Oingo Boingo (“The Lightmen”), UK’s Baddies are simply delightful and on Build, the band’s second full-length, they keep it delightfully simple. On the follow-up to Do the Job (Please tell me you’ve heard this record!), Baddies streamline their sound, keep it at a concise 10 tracks and [...]
The Viewfinder: Antlered Man’s “Surrounded By White Men”
“Daddy buys me anything/Presidency/Oil Company”…sound familiar? Politics aside, “Surrounded By White Men” is a scorcher of a song (and video!) by Antlered Man. These British upstarts are lighting a fire under conventional music. Giftes 1&2 (Due on March 5th) is a breath of fresh air in today’s musical climate of retreads. Similar to “Platoono Of Uno”, “…White Men” starts quietly and builds to an epic climax. Vocalist Damo Ezekiel-Holmes begins in a whisper while Danny Fury lays out a spectacular [...]
Spin Cycle: Buck Satan & The 666 Shooters’ “Bikers Welcome! Ladies Drink Free!”
I can’t believe that I am sitting here typing about an Al Jourgensen country album. Part of me can’t believe the debut from Jourgensen’s country alter-ego Buck Satan is finally available while another part of me can’t believe AL JOURGENSEN MADE A COUNTRY ALBUM! Like a mix between Crazy Heart, Reverend Horton Heat and the Rebel Meets Rebel album by David Allan Coe and three fourths of Pantera, Jourgensen’s alter ego Buck Satan is a an evil industrial country hellraiser [...]
Who The Hell Is… Chris North?
Chris North, former member of The Points North , has a disposition somewhat akin to his music. This Jamaica Plain resident is a humble guy, while simultaneously being a no-bullshit and a very straight-to-the-point individual. His music resembles his earnestness, which he’s been writing and performing for several years now, dating back to his solo and collaborative efforts under the moniker of Saint Joe Hazelwood . North’s music has ranged from quite Appalachian folk to experimenting with static and industrial-esque soundscapes. Consistently honing and altering his [...]
Metal Monday Volume 58 (2.20.12)
There’s this band you need to know about right now. They’re called Knives Out and they’re the best kept secret in metal today. Hopefully with the release of their full-length debut, Black Mass Hysteria, that status will soon change. Featuring members from an array of metal communities (Nothingface, Dog Fashion Disco, Polkadot Cadaver, HELLYEAH), Knives Out is a band that goes for the throat every second they blast a note out of your speakers. Nothingface was an underrated gem of [...]
Spin Cycle: Band of Skulls’ “Sweet Sour”
The second album from stoner alternative rock band Band of Skulls, Sweet Sour, contains the perfect concoction of both sweet and sour. With grungy guitar riffs, heavy drum beats, and soulful and savory vocals, the album has a certain edge to it that makes it the perfect follow up to first album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. Certain aspects of the album resonate into unexpected melodies and rhythm changes which can only be described as, “I don’t know what just [...]
The Viewfinder: Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up”
Dude, what happened to Jason Mraz? The slightly pimply, baby-faced kid who sang “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” has apparently decided to go through a hippie face. Long, stringy hair, a beard, he’s almost unrecognizable! Since the success of “I’m Yours” a couple years back, Jason seems to be transitioning from being John Mayer’s little brother to Jack Johnson’s little brother. He’s toned the smart-assery down a bit (as well as the vocal pyrotechnics/drama student schtick) and become more “earnest.” [...]
Spin Cycle: fun.’s “Some Nights”
You’ve heard “We Are Young” all over the place, now check out what we think about fun.’s new album.
The Singles Bar: EVITAN (Dres & Jarobi) Score Again with “Give It To Me”
So, what took Dres of Black Sheep fame and Jarobi White of A Tribe Called Quest fame so long to hook up? I don’t know, but all indications are pointing to this Evitan album being hot as hell. I haven’t seen a release date OR an album title yet, but there are two tracks floating around, so it’s got to be coming soon. Right? The two emcees recently unveiled “Give It To Me,” the second track from their upcoming collaboration, [...]
The Viewfinder: Antlered Man’s “Platoono Of Uno”
If you never want to look at breasts in the same way again (And some other lady parts), then skip all this needless text and go right to the video for Antlered Man’s “Platoono of Uno”. Some of you are still with me? Good. Here you have a taste of what is to come on the upcoming Giftes 1 & 2 full-length due on March 5th. The album is a crazy mixture of QOTSA, The Melvins, and Public Image Ltd. [...]
Spin Cycle: Shearwater’s “Animal Joy”
It’d be a shame if Shearwater’s ultimate legacy was as Okkervil River’s de facto kid brother. Originally envisioned as an artier side project for the wordy indie-rock artisans of Okkervil, Will Sheff and Jonathan Meiburg, Shearwater has evolved considerably. A lot that’s due to the amicable division of labor between the two bands: Meiburg has emerged as Shearwater’s figurehead, while Sheff generally keeps to Okkervil River these days, and under the tutelage of their respective artistic directors, both outfits have [...]
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