Review: Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials (2011)
Florence Welch is a force of nature. Firebomb hair, voice like an avalanche, hurricane of dance moves; she’s an elemental juggernaut. Over the past two years, Welch and her Machine have been on an unstoppable ride, with snapshot performances from Saturday Night Live to Letterman to
Review: Surfer Blood – Tarot Classics EP (2011)
What comes to mind when you read the name “Surfer Blood?” Contrast comes to mine. Surfing evokes carefree pleasantries in my mind, while blood implies passion and life with a sense of brooding. This might give you an idea of what to expect when listening to the alternative punk
REVIEW: SWITCHFOOT – VICE VERSES (2011)
The Christian alternative rockers Switchfoot from San Diego have been around for over ten years and show no signs of slowing down soon. They gathered fans in their niche of the Christian market with their first three records before finding crossover success with 2003’s The Beautifu
Review: WATERS – Out In The Light (2011)
Van Pierzalowski has been a very busy man these last few months. From moving back to the Bay Area (A.K.A. Yay Area) from Oslo where he spent some time regrouping after the dismantle of his last band Port O’Brien. To forming his newest musical project WATERS and releasing the debut album Ou
REVIEW: ASTRONAUTALIS – THIS IS OUR SCIENCE (2011)
No way will this review ever do linguistic justice. It’s as futile as saving the life in the opening scene of Cliffhanger. Dare I compare Bothwell to Sylvester Stallone? Nah, well…yes. Unlike Rocky, Astronautalis improves with age and each iteration. The Jacksonville wordsmith had the
CONCERT REVIEW: THRICE AT THE NEWPORT MUSIC HALL (COLUMBUS)
This review originally appeared in Ryan’s personal blog TUNED UP!, which also follows business trends in music in addition to the usual reviews and news. Thrice (Irvine, CA), La Dispute (Grand Rapids, MI), and O’Brother (Atlanta, GA)October 23rd, 2011Newport Mu
Review: Jeremiah Nelson – Drugs to Make You Sober (2011)
The harsh winter can do a number on brittle bones. Autumn’s visual warmth is long gone save the stalwart conifers, leaving fireplaces and holidays to look forward to. Ironically winter’s the season of comfort, where nostalgia and friends circle the wagons around one another in order to see the n
REVIEW: PENGUIN PRISON – PENGUIN PRISON (2011)
Chris Glover’s a humble, quiet guy from NYC. At least that’s what I got from him when we spoke back at SXSW. His music? Bright, extroverted, and hooks interspersed in dance beats that would fulfill any hopeful expectation of an electrifying Friday night. Talking with him (the interview can be fo
Review: Lana Del Rey – Video Games EP (2011)
She’s not authentic. No contest on that, nor debate. The hipsters going to arms over this are, as Gawker remarked, fighting a losing battle. The facts: She’s Lizzy Grant, daughter of a domain investor, had a supposedly failed 3-song EP entitled Kill Kill in 2009 despite growi