Author Archives
Tentacles
I first experienced the Crystal Antlers at last year’s CMJ. I wasn’t there to see them; I was basically there to partake in the free drinks. The boozy hipster crowd was quite loud and sociable amongst themselves, until the Antlers strummed the first feedback drenched riff of their set and propelled head first into one of the most clamorous-yet-invigorating rock shows I had seen all week. read more »
Mean Everything To Nothing
Manchester Orchestra’s sophomore album Mean Everything to Nothing is an exhilarating live rock assault chock full of evocatively raw lyrics and heavy guitar driven melodies sung with dramatic punk rock urgency. It’s a loud; in your face album produced in an unrefined bare-bone style that gives the album an authentic live rock band feel. read more »
The Feel Good Music Of Dent May
For those of you looking for a little feel good music to cheer you up, Dent May has revitalized the classic American crooner for the 21st century and given it a geeky hipster edge that makes this an extremely delightful listen. read more »
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Midnight Masses @ The Music Hall Of Williamsburg | Brooklyn
It was expected that this was going to be a loud raucous rock ‘n’ roll show, I mean all you have to say is …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of The Dead is playing and you know what you are in for. What I wasn’t expecting was that the opening band, Midnight Masses was going to blow them out of the water. read more »
The Black Keys, Heartless Bastards, Lucero @ Terminal 5 | NYC
It was a packed audience at Fridays Black Keys show, all of them waiting in anticipation for an amazing night of roots-inspired rock ‘n’ roll. From the moment the Heartless Bastards took the stage all the way to the last grimy blues guitar riff strummed on Dan Auerbach’s guitar, those in attendance definitely got what they came for. read more »
The Mountain
Within the first few moments of the new Heartless Bastards record The Mountain, I was completely captivated by the dynamic voice of lead singer Erika Wennerstrom. Her voice has a sorrowful, yet timeless quality that is perfect for the bands throwback, countrified blues-rock. read more »
Cold War Kids @ Mercury Lounge | NYC
It was a quick yet intimate show with New York favorites the Cold War Kids last night at the Mercury Lounge. While they normally could fill venues at least twice in size, the quickly sold-out show made for the type of room they sound best in. They took the stage at 11:15 and were off by 12:15. Lucky for us it was a pretty awesome hour of music mainly playing songs from their recent release Loyalty to LoyaltyRobbers & Cowards dispersed amongst the setlist. read more »
Get Guilty
There is no question that A.C. Newman knows how to whip up some solid pop songs. He has a knack for witty lyrics, catchy hooks, and a pop mentally for orchestrating irresistibly and instantly accessible music. And on his latest solo effort, Get Guilty, the New Pornographers front man once again proves that he is the Canadian king of power pop. read more »
X Marks Destination
From the first listen of X Marks Destination, it becomes quite obvious that The Whip are pros at getting a party started and fueling it to the late hours of the night. This album is basically a hipsters wet dream. It’s chock full of raw industrial Justice-like electronica tracks that are heavy on crunchy bass lines and catchy two line choruses that are looped continuously through out the songs. read more »
Shattered EP
Matisyahu’s latest release Shattered is a collection of four songs that are each quite unique in their own way. It shows Matisyahu expanding his musicality, pulling influences from other genres and mixing it together with his staple of positive reggae vibes and socially conscience lyrics that have made him an international superstar. read more »
