Little Sister
Split Up
Independent (2015)
Little Sister is an East Bay post-punk group with a passionate and well-deserved local following. The trio consists of Monbon and Erica, who both pull double duty on bass, guitar, and vocals, and Nada responsible, according to the album credits, for “drums, perc, beard and sunglasses.” Blues, soul, garage rock, early punk and, unless I’m mistaken, even salsa are among their influences, but they weave these disparate strands together effortlessly. They’ve won hearts due to their powerhouse vocals, infectious, rhythmically complex tunes, and frenzied live show. I acquired their Split Up EP at one such show and, when I took it home, was elated that it was almost as good as their live set. It opens with “Stay Away,” which features confrontational lyrics, a hypnotic shuffling beat, and funky rhythm guitar. “Halfway There/Free” is bluesier and more melancholy, but still driving. “Cry Cry Cry” is a stand-out. Originally I was convinced that it had to be an obscure Black Sabbath cover, but no, it’s an original track, just one that happens to rock as hard as anything by the legendary band. The riffs have a gloriously classic sound, and the vocalists seem to be operating at two hundred percent of … Read more
Faith No More
Sol Invictus
Reclamation Recordings/Ipecac (2015)
June, 1997.Hanson's Mmmbop was at the top of the charts. Hype was building for James Cameron's soon-to-be-released new film Titanic. … Read more
