Review: The Strokes – Comedown Machine (2013)
Where would American rock ‘n’ roll be today without The Strokes? Say what you want about them, but is rock music not better off today because of them? Yes, those prep school kids from affluent families who decided to form the New York band back in 1998. I was in junior high in 1998 and the
REVIEW: COLD WAR KIDS – DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS (2013)
There is so much more to the Cold War Kids than what they’ve gotten credit for. I’ll never forget the Long Beach-based band’s performance at Lollapalooza in 2007. At that time, their debut album, Robbers & Cowards, had managed to spark a buzz frenzy with the indie
REVIEW: PIONEER – BLACK PASTURE (2013)
For me, summertime in Wisconsin means a lot of things. There are ingredients to the recipe; some that have been in place since I was little. Backpacking adventures in Northern Wisconsin, trips to my favorite lakes (Devil’s Lake and Lake Superior), grilling out, sand bank hangs on the Wisconsin Riv
REVIEW: CHVRCHES – RECOVER EP (2013)
I bet if you told anyone catching one of the many showcases that CHVRCHES performed at SXSW that they were looking at one of the members of the perennially introspective soundscapey The Twilight Sad, they’d likely look at you as if, finally, someone had reached the physical limit of
Review: Solvents – Ghetto Moon (2013)
“Are You Gonna Wait For Love To Leave?” is the second track on Solvents’ latest album, Ghetto Moon, and it’s by no means a song you come across every day. In fact, if you did hear it today or tomorrow or next week, it may very well stop you in your place for a minute or two, [&hell
REVIEW: BOBBY LONG – WISHBONE (2013)
I was discussing Bobby Long with my brother last week when he suddenly recalled that he, in fact, went to high school with a Bobby Long. A Bobby Long who not only played guitar but was good at playing guitar. It was enough for us to investigate the coincidence; our fascination, h
REVIEW: MOTHER MOTHER – THE STICKS (2013)
Mother Mother is a tough band to categorize. The Canadian quintet incorporates an array of genre-blurring sounds into their music, and with their latest release, The Sticks, there is isn’t much of a push to clarify any of that. The songs range from soaring acoustic ballads to edgier alte
REVIEW: DAY JOY – GO TO SLEEP, MESS (2013)
Day Joy initially began as a project between Peter Perceval and Michael Serrin. The two friends met in college and casually began arranging and writing songs on rooftops and porches, taking advantage of those warm Orlando, Florida nights. Over the years, those drinking and jamming sessions bega
Review: The Spinto Band – Cool Cocoon (2013)
Not even a year after their last full-length release, Shy Pursuit, The Spinto Band are right back at it with Cool Cocoon. The quick turnaround isn’t too much of a surprise for the indie rock ensemble as they often recorded self-releases at will back in the band’s early d