Saosin: In Search of Solid Ground
Posted on 28. Sep, 2009 by Author in Album Review
The days of praying for Saosin to even think about reverting to their Translating the Name era sound is long gone, leaving what feels like the afterbirth of their 2006 self-titled release…
Kittie: In the Black
Posted on 27. Sep, 2009 by Author in Album Review
Since the conception of the band in 1997, the Lander sisters have watched several guitar and bass playing babes come and go…
Karl Blau: Zebra
Posted on 26. Sep, 2009 by Author in Album Review
Karl Blau
Zebra
k
One of their true diamonds in the rough in K Records’ roster is without a doubt Karl Blau. Blau kicks off Zebra with “Waiting for the Wind,†an explorative track which sounds like a cross between laidback bop jazz and Sea Change-era Beck, ultimately giving off a heavily sedated, loungy vibe. “Crucial Contact†follows in similar fashion, supplying heavy doses of tripped out atmospheric and ambient sounds with a subtle tinge of upbeat folk. However, “Dark Sedan†goes overboard with the lo-fi, home recording aspect; corny synthetic beats [...]
Raekwon: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
Posted on 25. Sep, 2009 by Author in Album Review
Raekwon
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
iCeh20
Sometimes the anticipation of something is better than the thing itself. Raekwon’s long-awaited sequel to his 1995 masterpiece, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, falls into that category. Linx II is not a bad album by any means, but it doesn’t live up to the years of hype surrounding. Raekwon started the album several years ago and had a version ready for release as far back as 2007, but label disputes delayed it. With tracks produced by MF Doom, Dr. Dre, the RZA, [...]
The Dynamites: Burn it Down
Posted on 24. Sep, 2009 by Author in Album Review
The Dynamites
Burn it Down
Outta Sight
Funky and soulful, The Dynamites’ Burn it Down is an awesome musical anachronism. This release boasts all the groove and passion of funk and soul from a bygone era. At the forefront is the phenomenally powerful voice of Charles Walker, but the dynamites are much more than a vocal showcase; funky guitars and a lusty brass section give Burn it Down a rich, multi-layered sound exploding with energy and a generous helping of groove. The Dynamites usher funk into the new millennium with [...]
Wild Beasts: Two Dancers
Posted on 23. Sep, 2009 by Author in Music
Wild Beasts
Two Dancers
Domino
Wild Beasts are an ambient pop quartet hailing from the UK and this is their much-anticipated sophomore effort for domino Records. As a whole, Two Dancers flows nicely with a beautiful aesthetic full of melodic and dynamic continuity for any fan of bedtime-rock. The guys are admirably achieving new sonic territory compared to other rockers from across the pond (Oasis, Coldplay) and the single “Hooting and Howling†is by far the stand-out track, as it’s warm and melancholy but not without a sense of playful enthusiastic lyricism: “We’re [...]
Anvil: This Is Thirteen
Posted on 23. Sep, 2009 by Author in Album Review, Music
Anvil
This is Thirteen
Independent
Anvil is a tenacious and long-lived Canadian metal band. This is Thirteen is their 13th release in 27 years of rocking out. Anvil pounds out power metal with full-force and few surprises. this band hasn’t “gone soft,†and their sound hasn’t “matured.†their old-fashioned shredding is a testament to metal’s immortality. “Ready to Fight†has a badass opening riff and is solid throughout, and “Flying Blind†also hooks the listener from the start. Several of the album’s 13 tracks sound like repetitive filler, but they’re interspersed with [...]
The Get Up Kids: Something to Write Home About
Posted on 18. Sep, 2009 by Author in Music
The Get Up Kids
Something to Write Home About
Vagrant
1999 sucked. Some trench coat-wearing winners shot up their high school. Woodstock was burnt down in a disgusting demonstration of oxymoronic violence. Brittney, Christina and the Backstreet Boys dominated the charts and it seemed that punk rock was taking the rest of the decade off. Ten years later, The Get Up Kids have decided to remind you that emo and punk were very much alive by reissuing their debut effort for Vagrant Records as a 10th anniversary CD/DVD celebration. Something to Write Home [...]
