Album Reviews
A collection of album and EP reviews written and published from 2004 onward.
- Wolfmother “Wolfmother” Review ()
Wolfmother, the three piece from Sydney, Australia, will either hit you as a complete knock-off of late psychedelic hard rock, or a band that takes the essence of that time period and continues it wholeheartedly. My preference lies in the latter as the band completely embodies the classic metal sound without neglecting to complete the […]
- Ashley MacIsaac “Pride” Review ()
My first encounter with Ashley MacIsaac was with the high tempo punk-fiddle “The Devil in the Closet” off of his 1995 crossover album, Hi, How Are You Today? I went to a classy, sit down concert of the Nova Scotian’s at Calgary’s Jubilee Auditorium…with my mom…and it was rad; from there on out I’ve been […]
- The Meligrove Band “Planets Conspire” Review ()
So many great bands have come from Ontario and Quebec as of late that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with things. Toronto’s Meligrove Band is one of the recent buzzers that have really clicked with me. The band’s brand of smooth, piano driven rock might not exactly rock your face off, but it […]
- Clit 45 “2, 4, 6, 8…We’re The Ones You Love To Hate” Review ()
Typically, gutter-punk is best done when you have a string of experiences that give you the edge that the music requires. It’s hard a lot of times to define whether or not the music is genuine, example: Mr. Billy Joe Armstrong slummed it when growing up, and you don’t really hear the same bitter, aggressive […]
- Girls In Hawaii “From Here To There” Review ()
Gentle, dreamy pop-rock is something I don’t usually kick back and relax to. Belgium-based Girls From Hawaii are some such band, yet they aren’t a typical abstract, hazy band as the band is both part Belle and Sebastian and part rockers. I say this because when I first heard the band, the song was “Flavor.” […]
- Ane Brun “A Temporary Dive” Review ()
Norwegian born Ane Brun comes from an amazing background of international indie success. Her 2003 release, Spending Time with Morgan, was nominated for the 2003 Swedish Independent Music Awards and its follow-up, A Temporary Drive, went gold after only three weeks. This album is a beautifully expressive warp of emotion, stressing not merely abstract love […]
- The Birthday Massacre “Violet” Review ()
Ah yes, the spooky kids. It’s really hard to stay away from poking fun at a band which appear entirely in Hot Topic clad, and call themselves Chibi, M. Falcore, Rainbow, Aslan, Rhim and o-en. OK, and they have song titles like “Horror Show,” “Play Dead,” and “Happy Birthday.” Please bear with me. The band […]
- Mikaela’s Fiend “We Can Driving Machine” Review ()
Seattle’s Mikaela’s Fiend is a two piece noise rock band comprised of cousins, Chris Ando and Donnie Shoemaker. A while back when the trend was to delve into the deeper extremes of noise and move away from the typical riffage and harmonization or hard rock and metal, along the lines of The Locust, I often […]
- Matt Costa “Songs We Sing” Review ()
Matt Costa’s history seems to precede him coming into the new year. After touring with Jack Johnson, Fader magazine named Costa the #3 thing “You didn’t appreciate enough in 2005.” All that while it’s becoming increasingly popular and acceptable to explore relationships and emotions through acoustic ballads and slow winding lullabies. However, with few exceptions […]
- Justice “Waters of Nazareth” EP Review ()
This 3-song release from the French duo, Justice, dazzles without becoming prey to the electronica of the over-glorified club scene. “Waters of Nazareth” is absolute tech-funk; a hybrid of entirely synthetic, late stage industrial with a late blooming progressive beat. Creating a dreamy sequence while staying miles away from ambient, “Let There Be Light” and […]
- The Noisettes “Three Moods of the Noisettes” EP Review ()
The Noisettes, hailing from London, have a lot of hype to live up to this year. NME has called them “One of rock n’ roll’s best kept secrets.” URB magazine listed Three Moods of the Noisettes as a 4-star recording. And recently Bloc Party drummer, Matt Tong, said that The Noisettes were the best gig […]
- A Passing Feeling “A Passing Feeling” EP Review ()
Touted as indie-punk, A Passing Feeling’s 5 song – 14 minute EP reflects those sentiments in spirit alone upon first glance. The band’s sound can be harnessed through the lead track, “A Book of Matches,” one of the best on the recording. Its lighthearted, bouncy beat connects band’s whiskey-soaked enthusiasm with the remainder of the […]
- Staggering Statistics “Pixelated Ones & Zeros” EP Review ()
With the understanding that the foundation of Staggering Statistics is deeply routed in mid-90’s alterna-rock it’s easy to figure out what motivates the band’s sound. Bassist John Curley’s involvement as a founding member of the Afghan Whigs, as well as a seasoned producer at his Ultrasuede recording studio, provides insight into the band’s musical direction. […]
- BanjerDan “Old Stuff” Review ()
I first found out about Dan Mazer when I saw him perform as the banjoist for J.B. Beverley and the Wayward Drifters in Minneapolis last summer. The three-piece band blew me away as they played a set of songs consisting entirely of songs in a throwback to the old school country style. Under his BanjerDan […]
- The Golden Dogs “Everything In 3 Parts” Review ()
Capturing buzz amongst the ever evolving Toronto rock scene has become seemingly effortless in recent time, akin to the early 90’s and Seattle based groups. However, in both situations, the value wasn’t behind capturing notice, it was maintaining the value behind the acclaim. After being casually clumped in with other Canadian bands of the time, […]
- Rock Kills Kid “Are You Nervous? Review ()
When thinking about bands I consider synth-rock, I can think of nothing but a sheik, slick looking group whose only concern in the world is figuring out which dealer to call. Rock Kills Kid fall far from this generalization however; with a history which includes personal isolation, homelessness and a line up which for years […]
- “Run The Road Volume 2” Review ()
Run the Road 2‘s release came as both a surprise and a gift to me. It was mere weeks ago that my fascination peaked in Lady Sovereign and I’ve been happily reacquainting myself with The Streets. Though RTR2 is solid and continues to inspire me to look for new grime, it doesn’t quite compare to […]
- Stephen Yerkey “Metaneonatureboy” Review ()
There are two things that jump into my mind when listening to Stephen Yerkey‘s Metaneonatureboy: the first being what I feel the music to be, and what I think Yerkey feels the music to be. Growing up, I really got off on using the word “bastardization” in terms of alternative music. I remember calling people […]
- The Morning After Girls “The Morning After Girls” Review ()
Generally, I accept the notion that the first wave of psychedelia far exceeds anything that has been released after 1969. I honestly feel ashamed making the comparison to a gang of neo-garage rockers (who also began in Melbourne), but to give a brief explanation of The Morning After Girls‘ sound, I feel it necessary. The […]
- Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s “The Dust of Retreat” Review ()
For being together slightly over a year, Margo & The Nuclear So & So’s have a chemistry suggestive of a road weary collective. The Dust of Retreat provides an outlet for this eight piece collective, examining not only harmony and progression, but the constraints of love in the process. Drifting away from the snow ridden […]
- Division Day “The Mean Way In” Review ()
Just like a solid mix tape, it’s hard to determine the audience, their tastes and preferences and willingness to listen to whatever it is that you think is good. If you start with a song too rigid, or hard, you risk the chance of quickly alienating your listener. On the opposite end of the spectrum, […]
- DJ Shadow “Pre-Emptive Strike” Review ()
DJ Shadow makes me thing of what I would want to play at a social gathering, a party, a get together. Maybe I’d have some overpriced under-appreciated fine alcohols, or some wines which I can’t stand but flaunt anyhow. Maybe I’d accompany the drinks with some costly appetizers or cheeses; something which I wouldn’t be […]
- The Raveonettes “Pretty in Black” Review ()
I was well aware of “Chain Gang of Love” but I wasn’t all that interested in checking out “Pretty in Black” until I saw the group perform on Late Night with Conan O”Brien. I don’t recall which song the group played, but it was excellent. “Chain Gand of Love” doesn’t begin by following my dreams […]
- Weezer “Make Believe” Review ()
I must admit that I have been a Weezer fan since the first album…I saw them on tour when they were supporting Pinkerton…but…ouch, this album…not soo good..here’s my 63 word review. Beverly Hills: Meh. Perfect Situation: Not Really. This is Such a Pity: Yes it is. Hold Me: No. Peace: Not Likely. We Are All […]
- Bjork “Medulla” Review ()
[This article was first published by Buena Vista University’s paper, The Tack.]
- The (International) Noise Conspiracy “Armed Love” Review ()
[This article was first published by Buena Vista University’s paper, The Tack.]