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Chuck Ragan

Till Midnight
Side One Dummy (2014)

It’s almost at the point where Chuck Ragan has reinvented himself. Sure, he’s always had the voice and he’s done the countrified thing in the past with Rumbleseat, but the level of professionalism and dedication he’s brought to his solo project is worth noting. He’s now released four solo records and built his own momentum beyond the punk rock scene.Till … Read more

Direct Effect

Sunburn
Tiny Engines (2014)

With roots in Orlando, Florida but now touching down in Philadelphia, members of hardcore outfit Direct Effect have presumably fallen victim to the general awfulness that is otherwise known as traveling up and down I-95 for extended periods of time. A slow crawl on a good day, traffic on this expanse of east coast highway has been actually known to … Read more

Multiple Authors

Swans

To Be Kind
Young God (2014)

Considering that many of the group’s earliest albums were sometimes described as being unlistenable, it’s odd that Swans have garnered increasing critical acclaim and notoriety some thirty years on in their history. Led by Michael Gira, the only player remaining from the group’s earlier incarnation that was declared as “dead” following 1996’s outstanding Soundtracks for the Blind (an album I … Read more

Multiple Authors

Swans

To Be Kind
Young God (2014)

Listen, I will fully admit that I am a hopeless Swans fan boy and might even listen to a record filled with sounds of the members defecating and giggling to each other while doing such a dirty deed; so imagine my immense surprise that not only did To Be Kind not immediately blow me away with its intense two plus … Read more

Moonlit Sailor

We Come From Exploding Stars
Deep Elm (2014)

A post-rock review is always a challenge. If you think it’s tough to capture the attention of an audience and carry them on your journey, musically, for 45 minutes without lyrics or choruses then try writing about that action. The successes and failures of the genre come in the ebb and flow, the storytelling, atmosphere, and ability to pull away … Read more

Green Day

Demolicious
Reprise (2014)

Many people don't realize it, but Green Day released a trio of albums throughout the fourth quarter of 2012. However, due to some personal problems and a public breakdown at a festival from frontman, Billie-Joe, promotion for the albums was put on hold. Those albums, Uno!, Dos!, and Tre!, had their share of lackluster songs, but they also contained some … Read more

Agalloch

The Serpent & The Sphere
Profound Lore (2014)

Portland, Oregon (and beyond) and Agalloch have long been held in high regard as being at the forefront of the much-loved Cascadian black metal movement. With bands like Wolves In The Throne Room, Skagos and the oft-cited as hugely influential, Weakling as peers and a curiously under-appreciated record in 2010s Marrow of the Spirit, Agalloch have much to prove with … Read more

Coffinworm

IV.I.VIII
Profound Lore (2014)

Coffinworm has been terrorizing the world since the release of their debut demo, Greater Bringer of Night. From that point on the black/doom/sludge sickening horror that they unleashed continues to haunt us. Their excellent debut album, When All Becomes None, would certainly seal the deal, and their split with Fistula would only increase the anticipation for a follow-up album.So here … Read more

Merzbow, Scott Miller & Lee Camfield

No Closure
Cold Spring (2013)

Merzbow is noise music. While this may seem like an overstatement, Masami Akita is the forebear of the genre itself not to mention the most well known name in said genre. So i would have a hard time believing anyone involved in noise in even the most perfunctory way would pass up the opportunity to work on a project with … Read more

Barren Harvest

Subtle Cruelties
Handmade Birds (2014)

It is quite difficult to define what Barren Harvest is offering in Subtle Cruelties. The duet of Jessica Way of Worm Ouroboros and Lenny Smith of Atriarch and Trees has found an intriguing way to present a neo folk album. But, it seems like there is always something underlying the initial folky sound of the album with its majestic melancholic … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Tweak Bird

Any Ol' Way
Lets Pretend (2014)

Tweak Bird is the Los Angeles sludge-pop duo of Caleb Benjamin and Ashton Leech. Their stoner/garage rock crossover sound has enabled them to share the stage with acts ranging from art metal quartet Tool to cheeky indie poppers Best Coast.The duo’s latest release, Any Ol’ Way, combines the gritty metal of Kyuss with the indie psychedelia of Tame Impala. The … Read more

200 Words Or Less

WAR//PLAGUE

Primal
Profane Existence (2013)

WAR//PLAGUE always come a little different each time out. Primal is their fifth release (and the seventh single in the Profane Existence Single Series) and one that shows the Minneapolis quartet stripping away the evolved crust and blackened characteristics of their previous material in favor of a sound that is more, well, primal. Jamming an airtight metal-punk attack into its … Read more

Tweens

Tweens
French Kiss (2014)

I heard about Tweens as a Vacation side project. Well, they’ve dwarfed that band’s popularity already, so it’s the last I’ll use that term. The Cincinnati three-piece released their self-titled debut earlier in April on French Kiss Records, and they’ve been hitting the supporting tour scene hard, including dates on the Breeders’ recent Last Splash tour.So how does a band … Read more

The Bellicose Minds

The Spine
Black Water (2013)

Whole genres are made off the backs of originators. Sometimes these genres become forgotten for awhile or just bogged down with repetition and simplicity. Every once in awhile a band sheds mere aping to become something interesting, yet familiar. Something clearly within genre stereotypes but with their own sense of interpretation. The Bellicose Minds are one of those on the … Read more

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