Born Villain, Manson’s eighth studio album in 16 years, is a triumphant return to form and a gem in the discography of an artist who has never compromised for anyone except himself. In my mind and ears, this should have been Manson’s fourth proper album. While Golden Age of Grotesque was a somewhat interesting experiment with Tim Skold, Twiggy Ramirez’s (Jeordie White) absence over the course of the next four years (and couple of albums) was duly noted. [...]
The Viewfinder: Montrose with Joe Satriani perform “Bad Motor Scooter” in San Francisco
On April 27, Sammy Hagar united with the remaining members of Montrose and Joe Satriani to play a tribute concert for Ronnie Montrose. Here’s “Bad Motor Scooter” from the show.
The Singles Bar: Spineshank’s “Nothing Left For Me”
Spineshank throws fans a curveball with the surprisingly melodic “Noting Left For Me” off the upcoming Anger Denial Acceptance album.
The Singles Bar: Maximo Park’s “Hips And Lips”
Maximo Park blast back after a far too long absence with “Hips And Lips” off the upcoming album The National Health.
The Jukebox From Hell 11: “Rockstar”
Yeah, it’s easy to hate on Nickelback. But you’ve never read an ass-whipping as eloquent as the one Drew gives the Canuck schmucks’ “Rockstar.”
Spin Cycle: Breton’s “Other People’s Problems”
Has the term “blip-hop” been coined yet? If not then I would like to formally ask for it to be added to Webster’s. Use it in a sentence? Sure. “Breton’s unique blend of hip-hop beats and electronics have created a unique sound that I have dubbed “blip-hop””. That’s as good a definition as any, right? So here we are with Breton’s full-length debut Other People’s Problems, a debut unlike any other in style and originality. Each note and beat has been [...]
Spin Cycle: Mount Carmel’s “Real Women”
Indie rockers Mount Carmel hail from Columbus, Ohio, and, like many things Midwestern, nearly fooled me into thinking they were one thing when they were really something else. Their handle sounded to me like they would be hipster pop or some other ironically-named alt-rock-nuvo-art-thing. But noooo – they are straight-up, four-chord seventies rock, those sneaks. As if I weren’t already thrown off enough, once they launched into their opening track, ”Swaggs”, and I heard those gritty vocals coming through a classic condenser mic, [...]
Spin Cycle: Torche’s “Harmonicraft”
It’s hard to listen to any of Torche’s recordings and not have the biggest, stupidest, shit-eating grin on my face. Heavy? Hells yes. But it’s such a groovy-puts-a-smile-on-my-face kind of heavy that it matters not at which decibels their glorious sounds are being expunged from my speakers thus making me deaf. Harmonicraft, for me, was easily one of the most anticipated records of 2012 and now that it’s here I can easily say that it exceeded all of my expectations. It’s [...]
The Viewfinder: “Shadow Days” by John Mayer
Head out on a cross-country drive with John Mayer in his latest video–for the new song “Shadow Days.”
Get It While You Can!: Music From Mike Doughty & Marshall Crenshaw
If you stay up late at night and watch infomercials, then you’re all about the whole “ACT NOW” spiel. Well, here are some musical offers from two of my favorite songwriters and they both end within the next 24 hours, so I implore you to take advantage!! By now, you’re probably aware of our affection for Mike Doughty. In the past twelve months alone, Mike has gifted us with an album of brand new material, a double live album, and [...]
Diggin’ in the Crates: “Stoney and Meatloaf”
It’s accepted music lore that Meat Loaf ripped through popular music on the back of a silver black phantom bike like a bat out of hell with his solo debut, appropriately titled Bat Out Of Hell. It was a work of massive, lusty hubris, composed by master songwriter and closet freak Jim Steinman, and it married 1960s adolescent yearning to a Spector-esque wall of sound – complete with horns, resplendent grand pianos, wall-to-wall vocals, and charmingly pretentious spoken-word excerpts – [...]
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