The last couple of years the Macedonian punk scene was a revelation to me. Fonija, Bernays Propaganda and Noviot Pochetok became personal favourites while other bands like Xaxaxa have had their regular time on my turntable as well. What these bands have in common is a sense of melody that is rather melancholic, the courage to develop their sound in new directions and the fact they sing (mostly) in their mother tongue.That last fact is something that I have learned to appreciate. Instead of lyrics in broken English the singer is self assured and has the freedom to express him- or herself in the language that is closest to the heart. Of course, it is pretty hard for me to sing along with lyrics in a language I do not master, but I do not care about that too much. Add to that that the change that someone speaking Macedonian will hear me sing along to those songs is pretty slim. Well, I just sing along! Whether a band sings in Macedonian, Swedish, Spanish or whatever, I sing along and butcher those lyrics mercilessly! The last couple of years Fonija called it quits (and reincarnated as My Tear) and it … Read more
What started as a two-piece project after the disbandment of Chumped, Katie Ellen are making a name for themselves in … Read more
I’ve always liked Neighborhood Brats, but I don’t remember the band having so much variation in sound. Over 11 songs, … Read more
The Sidekicks are a band that I still pay attention to past my “punk only years”—you know, the years of … Read more
Part parody and part homage to guitar music, Dutch four-piece Mozes and the Firstborn have set a new tone with … Read more
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Hub City Hardcore may not be on par with Greek mythology in terms of their incestuous relations, but with the debut of Plastic Cross, the New Brunswick, NJ brings yet another band of familiar faces playing a wholly new sound. The band is comprised of familiar Hub City Hardcore faces, with ex-members of The Scarlet Letter, Doc Hopper, Down in Flames, The Measure [SA] , and a bunch more.Grayscale Rainbows is the band’s debut, on Don Giovanni Records, and brings a raging 1980s-schooled, circle pit hardcore that the band dubs “social science fiction.” The songs are short, loud, and fast, with charged, spitting lyrics, driving guitars, and a few scattered breakdowns to catch their breath. Meanwhile, the lyrics take a socio-political tone. The sci-fi angle comes tastefully, with the band … Read more
Philly duo Kississippi released their anticipated debut album Sunset Blush and unlike some records, it lived up to the hype. The album starts off with the song “Once Good,” perfectly blending elements of indie and folk with Zoë Reynolds’ voice beautifully texturing the track. “Cut Yr Teeth” is a sonically dreamy track complete with stellar lyrics. Reynolds is mesmerizing as … Read more
I was going to review this when it came out, but I like my statements to be accurate, so I went to the source and interviewed Todd Congelliere first. As the tweetbots like to say: BREAKING--an interview will publish here soon.Preacher Maker is the first album under the name of Clown Sounds, fronted by Todd Congelliere, though he also has … Read more
Replacing God by ultra-prolific Kansas-based experimental musician Twin Towers at times seems to be an experimental metal album, but there's much more to the work and I think it has a nice sense of progression as it moves forward. By the end, you feel like you've experienced something. The opening track is rather ominous. Starting off with a somewhat ambiguous … Read more
Not many bands can make it eight albums into their career without a single dud. Murder by Death's mainstays, Adam Turla and Sarah Balliet, have spent nearly 2 decades honing their skills as songwriters, and they’ve let their growth lead us out into Space. The Other Shore has Turla returning to more of a long form narrative again. However, it … Read more
The last few years have seen a good amount of great German hip-hop albums, however, now there is Monument. Kollegah’s previous emissions are outstanding, but the way he bookended the rollercoaster ride that the year 2018 proved to be for him is the evolutionary apex of an artist who has honed and refined his craft over the last fourteen years, … Read more
Shook Ones are a nostalgic band for me, they were the most active during my teenage years and I associate them with that time period. I’m sure like most of their fans, I was surprised they released a new full length given that it’s been five years since they’ve released any new music. The band never officially announced they were … Read more
I was excited about this record 3 seconds in. To put it directly, I’m a big fan of everything Future Virgins has done so I was expecting it. Doomsday Raga fits their catalog well, but it also fits in with the gradual progression from coarse DIY to well-rounded, crisp melodies.There’s a lot to like about the band, but for me … Read more
Garage rock is a term that no longer gets a lot of usage - dissipating into the ether after the resurgence and seeming demise of the genre around the mid-00s. The thing is, it never died. We just forgot where to look. And when it comes to unabashed, unapologetic garage rock, you need look no further than Jon Spencer. He … Read more
The fourth in a string of 2018 releases from Denver-based synth duo Neon Cities, the Toulouse single presents a pair of tracks that showcase distinct sides of the group's sound. With warm synth and hazy, barely there vocals placed on top of a relaxed rhythm and buzzing bass groove,the more pop-oriented title track creates a nostalgic 1980s vibe replete with … Read more
Pop comes in many forms. Sometimes you find it on the radio as the nation’s favorite dance hit. Occasionally you’ll hear it pulsating from the walls of your favorite nightclubs. Then, sometimes, it pours out of the anxious head of an artist just looking to create something. Mitski’s fifth studio album, Be the Cowboy, explores different avenues of the genre. … Read more
2018 marks the 30th year of existence for Seattle stalwarts, Mudhoney. 30 years on for most bands usually means one or two tired original members clinging to the past - Rewarming leftover albums on tour while an even more tired and bleary-eyed audience leaves early because they have to work the next day. Not so with The Mudhoneys. Digital Garbage … Read more
Let me tell you something about reviewing and how it is decided what will get a review on here. Sometimes it is very straight forward: our dark overlord gives a direct order to review something. Luckily (for me at least) life is keeping him too busy to that stuff too often. That’s when I get to browse through the seemingly … Read more
When I first heard that Deafheaven had released a new record, I was skeptical. The thing is, I’m not entirely sure why because the band has more than proven themselves with their past records Sunbather and New Bermuda. Both records killed, but with a band that has already explored the ins and outs of metal, I questioned how they could … Read more
There’s been few bands in recent memory as polarizing as The Locust. Upon the first few listens, they sound like the aural equivalent of severed nerve endings after an industrial lathe accident. But if you stick with them - and particularly if you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing them live, what once seemed all pandemonium and chaos becomes clear … Read more
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