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Captain Asshole

Successfully Not Giving Up
Say-10, SBÄM Records (2022)

I was coming off a Jawbreaker high when I first heard Captain Asshole at The Fest 18. I liked what I heard, but I also didn’t know if it was because of the music or simply the time and place. Fast forward through a couple years that most of us want to forget and the band has a new album … Read more

Sundowning

In The Light Of Defeat, I Cease To Exist
Isolation Records (2022)

At times I get a bit carried away by hypes or trends in the music business. One such trend was the whole sludge trend. I loved it, especially when it was mixed with post-metal influences. At the height of this trend it seemed you could not turn a corner without seeing a new band playing that style. This is when … Read more

Nestter Donuts

Flamenco Trash
Voodoo Rhythm (2022)

It is believed that the first insulin-pumping bloated, exploding vein party pop a balloon tragedy was when The Dutch brought over their oil cakes in the 1700s to North American soil. Thus creating a nation of obese, scooter riding, Walmart-loving, toothless flag-waving donut lovers. Sickly sugary death coma slithering in the puddles of pop-rock misfortune. If it is good enough … Read more

Moonraker

The Forest
Bearded Punk Records, Bypolar Records, No Time Records, Tiny Dragon Music (2022)

I expected to like this based on hearing a few Moonraker songs in recent years. But this is definitely my surprise record or “new [to me]” find of the year so far. If you’ve read my other reviews, you know I generally think intro tracks are worthless. But, in this case, I take it back. “Incendium” is the best intro … Read more

Dälek

Precipice
Ipecac (2022)

It is easy to take for granted the excellent state of experimental hip-hop today. With Death Grips freely applying noise and electronica with a punk ethos, and clipping. doubling down on industrialized beats and Afro-futuristic narratives, it is easy to forget that this landscape was not always so rich. Traveling back in time, to the end of the ‘90s, it … Read more

Cult of Luna

The Long Road North
Metal Blade (2022)

It’s always a joy to learn Cult of Luna will be releasing something new and as the Swedes have proved time and time again, their passion for their craft is far from waning. Through atmospheric post-metal, the band create textures that range from heightened drama to serene vocal passages to incandescent rage on a journey towards the cold stars of … Read more

Book Review

Paul Morley

From Manchester with Love: The Life and Opinions of Tony Wilson
Allen & Unwin Publishing (2021)

Tony Wilson was known for many things, e.g. being TV presenter, enfant terrible, entrepreneur, founder of the immensely successful Factory Records label and essentially an inspiring cultural catalyst and trailblazer at the centre of a myriad of creative networks, without whom genre-coining bands like Joy Division, Happy Mondays and New Order would have not had a veritable launchpad. Needless to … Read more

Orville Peck

Bronco
Columbia (2022)

After 3 years, fringy-faced Country mystery-man, Orville Peck, is roaring back into the scene with his sophomore album, Bronco. In the time between his debut, Pony, and his new record, he released the EP, Show Pony. Intended to be a "middle sister" and bridge to Bronco, it was hard to pick up on what exactly you could expect from his … Read more

Unsanitary Napkin

All Billionaires Are Bastards
AlwaysNeverFun, Limbless, Slimebag (2022)

My favorite Dutch swear words are “natte krant” (wet newspaper), “zak hooi” (bag of hay) while “pannekoek” (pancake) gets an honorable mention. As you can see, these don’t translate very well to English. You could tell me to look to the English for more creative English curses, but to my ears they only sound good if you say them with … Read more

Cremation Lily

Dreams Drenched In Static
Flenser (2022)

It has been quite a journey for Zen Zsigo and Cremation Lily, a path defined by constant flux. It was back in the early ‘10s, that the initial demos of the project appeared. Back then it was all about textural harshness, with Zsigo pushing the power electronics ethos. The initial chaos would subside, and from there on Cremation Lily explored … Read more

Beex

The Early Years: 1979-1982
Beach Impediment (2021)

The beak is a feature predominantly found in birds but not limited to. A beak could also be located on a turtle or rarely in a band of early fundamental punk rock anthropomorphic specimens. A beak is a functional tool with varying degrees of use depending on the embodiment or representation called into question. Primarily the beak is used for … Read more

Annie Jump Cannon

Flourishing Apart
No Sleep (2022)

Every 15-20 years there’s a revival. This time it’s emo and Annie Jump Cannon may be a modern 2022 band, but this could have come out in 2005 and fit into the scene of that day: both for its strengths and its weaknesses. Emo has always been a flawed genre for me. The melodrama plays well with crescendos and soaring, … Read more

Signals Midwest

Dent
Lauren Records (2022)

Signals Midwest play punk with a lot of words. Words arranged in actual sentences, telling stories instead of using the lyrics for purely rhythmic and singalong purposes. Dent is their fifth album, and it’s the first I’ve personally reviewed even though I’ve followed the band from afar over the years. The lyrics are personal, but consistently positive in tone, which … Read more

GGGOLDDD

This Shame Should Not Be Mine
Artoffact (2022)

GGGOLDDD (formerly known as Gold) have always resisted fitting into a single mold. While their vision has hovered around an alternative and indie rock foundation, they have freely explored adjacent spaces. Electronic components were introduced, metallic elements have been applied and a punk-ish fervor would now and then rear its head. And this has resulted in some excellent works with … Read more

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