Broadway Calls
Sad in the City
Red Scare Industries (2020)
Sad in the City doesn’t mince words. Opening with the lines of “If my country collapses/ can I crash on your couch…” in “Never Take Us Alive.” The band play super melodic pop-punk that focuses more on singalong harmonies than kick, punch and bite, but the lyrics give a little more attitude than you might guess just listening to the beat … Read more
Broken Gold
Recovery Journal
Volcom (2011)
When a band names their record Recovery Journal it should come as no surprise that the dominant impression is one of earnestness. Broken Gold is the Riverboat Gamblers’ guitarist Ian MacDougall’s project, drawing from varied personal experiences with recurring themes of alienation, heartbreak, and addiction—some drawn from his experiences after his bicycle was hit by a car in October 2009, … Read more
Broken Heroes
This Is Oi!
Skinflint (2012)
I am not the most qualified reviewer when it comes to modern-day Oi! music. Yes, I am familiar with the genre in general—I still spin The 4 Skins, The Business, The Oppressed, Blitz, or Sham 69 from time to time, and Cock Sparrer is the one band that has never been deleted from any of my iPods—but for the most … Read more
Broken Patterns
Broken Patterns
Six Feet Under (2009)
There's a couple ways to start this one. We could examine the ex members of pedigree, which normally would give you a hint at what is included. While I, just like anyone who was into hardcore in the earlier part of this decade, was suitably excited the band member pedigree (Knife Fight, Tear It Up, Cut The Shit, etc.) that … Read more
Broken Poets
Optimism in E Minor
Wordvendor (2006)
Broken Poets' lead singer/songwriter dynamo, Tim McDonald, is truly the voice of the average American male in that his songwriting, melodies, and vocal delivery are completely, uh, average. Just don't tell him that. Nearly every part of this album feels equal parts contrived and self-important "" the album name (only two of the twelve songs are actually in E Minor), … Read more
Broken Prayer
Misanthropocentric AKA Droid's Blood
Sorry State (2015)
I incorrectly said this band was from North Carolina when I talked about their last record, when in fact they’re from Chicago. So I’d like to take a moment to say I’m sorry to Broken Prayer. (Up until recently I had a tendency to assume that every band on Sorry State was from North Carolina.) Another thing I said about … Read more
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Arts & Crafts (2005)
You know how there is always one band that everyone says "You should totally check this band out man; they rock harder than Ron Jeremy's cock at the office!" and you go, "Yeah sure man, I'll check them out if you say they are that good." And you never do! Well that's pretty much my relationship with the Broken Social … Read more
Broken Social Scene
You Forgot It In People
Arts & Crafts (2003)
It had been a long time since I'd heard an absolutely perfect pop record, until a few days back when I finally gave in to the hype surrounding Broken Social Scene and picked up the recent American release of this record. I can't believe I held off so long, because this record is just, well, simply fantastic. Thirteen tracks of … Read more
Brooke Bentham
This Rapture EP
All Points (2017)
Even though 21-year-old Brooke Bentham is firmly entrenched in the burgeoning South London music scene, her music sounds as though it has been dusted with sand from a Californian desert. With a sound that recalls Angel Olsen and First Aid Kit, her music soars and dips though the ravages of a shattered relationship with arresting lyrics and fluid guitars.These affairs of the heart … Read more
Brother Ali
Mourning In America And Dreaming In Color
Rhymesayers (2012)
Brother Ali is one of RhymeSayers’ and Minneapolis’ premiere rappers, and his career trajectory has been on the up-and-up with each release. Still, for whatever reason, my interest in Ali has waned with each new LP. His tendency for bluntness and tough guy delivery of not-so-tough material had gotten to be a bit much, and I figured it was time … Read more
Brothers
Black Friday
Assault (2007)
It is a shame when a band like Brothers goes unnoticed. This five-piece outfit hails from Michigan and Black Friday is their debut offering. The album is filled with eleven hardcore songs just begging for you to sing-along to. The opening combo of "Beginnings" and "The War at Home" kick things off with fast-paced hardcore akin to Comeback Kid and … Read more
Brown Brogues
Triflin'
Stolen Body Records (2013)
The phrase "hanging out" can mean different things for different people. Some may use it to describe a night-in or a low-key stop at the neighborhood bar. Others may use it to describe their weekend-long, mind-melting bender adventure. In this instance, the phrase "big time hanging out" may be used. Really, though, it's all about attitude and believing in the … Read more
Brown Brogues
Zoloto
Stolen Body Records (2014)
In an alternate universe, Brown Brogues' "Shit In Your Eye" sits atop the charts; following in the lineage of other certified gold cuts such as Ty Segall's "Girlfriend" and the Black Lips' "Bad Kids." As the shit-kicker guitar rings out of the speakers, you can practically see someone beating their fist atop a jukebox or pool table in approval. It's the sort of … Read more
Bruise Control
Useless for Something
TNSrecords (2023)
Bruise Control is a new-ish punk band from Manchester. The band definitely checks off the boxes of the style, mixing it up quite a bit though over their nine-song debut full-length. The lead song, “Useless” has jangly garage rock tones meets punk aggression that builds over the two and a half minute song. While that lead tone makes an impression, … Read more
Bruno Sanfilippo
Upon Contact Reworked
ad21 (2015)
Given the never-waning focus among classical music fans on established (and too-frequently, dead) composers, it would seem that the world of modern classical music is one of the most difficult to get a handle on – audiences are left unsure where to even begin, and composers themselves don’t get much attention or many breaks. Meanwhile, except for the occasional article … Read more
Bubonic Bear
Fleshworld
Sloth Tapes (2011)
Over several very under the radar releases (EPs, splits, half lengths, etc.), the dynamic duo that makes up Bubonic Bear unleash Fleshworld on a mostly unsuspecting audience that (despite lots of touring and tons of shows) still have yet to experience the crushing doom-y noise-y sludge that has become this group’s trademark for audience destruction (I always thought of the … Read more
Buck Gooter
100 Bells
Whar Cats Records (2017)
Bizarro punk/noise/rock duo Buck Gooter are releasing their 17th album in the span of 12 years. During all that time and through all the releases, Buck Gooter, now returning with 100 Bells, has not missed a beat. Their music radiates with the same energy as it did on the first day and the primitive sense is as raw as it was … Read more
Buck Gooter
Devil Worship
Flannel Gurl (2011)
When I think of Devil worship I think of all the scary stuff from my youth. I think of serial killer known as "The Night Stalker", Richard Ramirez. Perhaps the most famous Devil worshiper of the era, he had a propensity for heavy metal—flashing the horns while in handcuffs—a pentagram tattooed on his palm—and quotes like, “I love to kill people.” When … Read more
