Percussive is the first word that should instantly come to mind when listening to Sigur Ros’ latest, Kveikur (Pronounced “quaker” but translates into “Candlewick”). Just take a listen to first single “Brennisteinn” or to the title track. Sonically, Kveikur is unlike anything Sigur Ros has ever done….even menacing at points (Again with “Brennisteinn”) but it’s all executed exquisitely. It’s also one of their most concise albums. Maybe due to it being the first for XL Recordings? Or maybe Sigur Ros […]
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Filter, “What Do You Say”: The Viewfinder Review
Golfing ain’t what it used to be in the latest video from Filter. In fact, Filter sure as hell ain’t what they used to be either as is immediately evident upon hearing “What Do You Say”, a sonic masterpiece that is, at times, reminiscent of “Hey Man Nice Shot” (Mostly the heavy/quiet/heavy moments) yet overall indicative of Filter circa 2013: Ready to kick ass and take names! The video’s a fun little companion piece that sees some rabble rousers laying […]
Metal Monday Volume 126 (6.10.13)
Probably the biggest surprise of 13 is how much it actually sounds like a Black Sabbath record. From the opening dirge of “End of the Beginning”, it’s deadly apparent that this is Sabbath incarnate. Is it bad? Nope. Is it good? You know what? It is. If you want to talk negatives then it’s probably in the drumming department. That’s not to say Brad Wilk is a bad drummer. To the contrary, in fact, Wilk is a great drummer. He’s […]
Bad Rabbits, American Love: Album Review
I really wanted to like this album. I first came across Bad Rabbits when I witnessed the spectacle that is their live show in Worcester at Skatefest in 2010 and downloaded the Stick Up Kids EP soon after (From a download card I received from the band!). From first listen, they came off as the second coming of Morris Day and The Time. The EP delivered as did the band especially the energy they exuded on stage. It was infectious […]
White Lies, “Getting Even”: The Singles Bar Review
White Lies fans can breathe a sigh of relief as their favorite British 3-piece is finally back with “Getting Even”, the first taste off their highly anticipated third album, Big TV, due in August through Fiction Records. First impressions/singles aren’t necessarily indicative of what you’ll get on a given album but if “Getting Even” is even a glimpse of what Big TV is gonna be about then you have my permission to start getting worked into a furor of excitement […]
Nine Inch Nails, “Came Back Haunted”: The Singles Bar Review
And Pretty Hate Machine mach 2 is in full effect. I might be in the Blerd minority when I admit that I am ridiculously excited for new NIN material. The last proper studio album, Year Zero, was incredible but this takes the cake. “Came Back Haunted” is the supah skrit first single from Nine Inch Nails’ forthcoming new album, Hesitation Marks, due on September 3rd and it is this glorious synth/electro driven banger in the vein of, yeah, Pretty Fuckin’ […]
Palms, Palms: Album Review
I will gladly admit when I am blatantly wrong about something and I was wrong when I said that “Patagonia”, the first single off of Palms’ self titled debut, was lacking. In the context of Palms, “Patagonia” makes perfect sense. I still don’t find it to be a particularly interesting song and it’s definitely not a song I would’ve released first but it works within the six-song opus that makes up the debut from the marriage of deftones’ Chino Moreno […]
Rob Potylo, Drone Alone: Album Review
You don’t have to spend money to get the latest album from local great Rob Potylo but after sampling it, you’d be a dick if you didn’t give a few dollars and cents to the cause. It’s short, it’s fun, and it’s perfect for the “Facebook Generation”. From the start, Drone Alone is destined to be a shining ray of hope for our generation…okay, not really. “Doesn’t Really Matter” is a downer and a half and the future gets bleaker […]
Metal Monday Volume 125 (6.3.13)
We are living in a world where I now favor Noel Gallagher over Liam Gallagher and Metallica over Megadeth. Bizarro World indeed. If I start queuing up for the latest Iron Maiden record over one from Judas Priest then you have permission to commit me to the local nut house. But onto Super Collider, the latest from Megadeth. There is nothing inherently wrong with Super Collider, Megadeth’s fourteenth, there’s just nothing new here. Where as Metallica is taking years and […]
Filter, The Sun Comes Out Tonight: Album Review
Filter is back with a vengeance on The Sun Comes Out Tonight, the band’s sixth album. Richard Patrick and his newest partner-in-crime Johnny Radtke (Formerly of Kill Hannah) have concocted an incredibly solid release that moves the band forward but has its roots firmly planted in Short Bus/Title Of Record territory with some hints of The Amalgamut thrown in for good measure. “We Hate It When You Get What You Want” is the way to start an album. It immediately […]
Vista Chino, “Dargona Dragona”: The Singles Bar Review
It’s not Kyuss 2.0 and it’s not Queens of the Stone Age. Vista Chino is something…else. On “Dargona Dragona”, the first single off the highly anticipated full-length due in the fall, Vista Chino channel that post …And The Circus Leaves Town magic to forge their own path. It’s John Garcia singing with a fuzzed out guitar line by newcomer Bruno Fevery and Brant Bjork laying down a solid foundation so of course it’s going to sound like that other band […]
