Bad Sports
Constant Stimulation
Dirtnap (2018)
With Bad Sports, the songs are often about the hooks. The band utilizes traditional rock structures with song titles embedded in the chorus and predictable progressions. It’s largely about where they kick the extra energy into their songs that sets them apart, and it’s usually got a bit of swagger when they do kick.“Gains and Losses” is a really good … Read more
Bad Sports
Kings Of The Weekend
Dirtnap (2011)
Bad Sports made a smart sequencing decision by opening Kings of the Weekend with “Off Switch.” The punk burner has a lot of garage noise and it rips past in just 1:47. Why is it a smart opener, you ask? Well, from the brick wall band photo to the band’s posture to numerous tracks on the record, this Denton, TX … Read more
Bad Sports
Living with Secrets
Dirtnap (2016)
Bad Sports are coming into their own. They’ve always been a solid Denton, TX hyphen-rock band but on their new EP, Dirtnap’s Living With Secrets, the nuances are starting to pull together a little more and the “influenced by” is harder to decipher. The first third or so of the record takes the commodified Denton garage-punk sound in a new … Read more
Bad Year
Bad Year
Motorcycle Potluck Records, Snappy Little Numbers (2024)
The last time I reviewed a Bad Year record, roughly four years ago, I thought of quirky pop-punk like BlackDots. On their new self-titled record the takeaway is poppy and anthemic, more akin to Broadway Calls or Ann Beretta. While the bands I just named are direct and smooth with their song structures, they lean toward crisp production. I’d say … Read more
Bad Year
My Escape
Snappy Little Numbers (2019)
Snappy Little Numbers make some snappy packaging. Cover art, one-sided vinyl and specialty colors shouldn’t drive musical decision-making but, let’s face it, in the digital era it definitely makes a difference when you pick up a record that stands out from the pack. And as an uncle who has spent a lot of time watching Ninjago and making internal judgments … Read more
Badly Drawn Boy
One Plus One is One
Astralwerks (2004)
Before writing this review I sat down to go through my usual pre-review writing routine which consists of listening to the CD, reading some lyrics, stealing some ideas from Pitchfork, and checking out the bands website. This preliminary process usually doesn't take very long, but tonight I sat in front of this radiating screen in a state of bewilderment. All … Read more
Badmouth
Strikes Again
Ghosthunt (2007)
Badmouth is the latest in the seemingly never-ending line of pissed off hardcore bands from Southern California. Strikes Again is their debut effort, which is actually their demo but in refurbished form via Ghosthunt Records. Over the course of these nine songs, Badmouth deliver fast-paced hardcore-punk with serious guitar whaling and bitter as hell lyrics. Musically, they remind me quite … Read more
BaK
Crater
Independent (2021)
It’s not often that I get random recommendations (without asking) from friends which turn out to be something very cool. So, whenever that happens, I really cherish said moment and discovery. You probably already guessed the rest of this preamble. One of my best friends recommended this band to me. I was practically sold once I saw it was an … Read more
Balance and Composure
Acoustic
No Sleep (2012)
From Doylestown, PA, Balance and Composure has created a lot of buzz in the past few years for their melodic and emotional contributions to the ever-changing underground scene. They’ve released two EPs, a split with Tiger’s Jaw, and a full-length called Separation, all on No Sleep Records. Again teaming up with No Sleep, we have an acoustic 7-inch in which … Read more
Balance and Composure
Only Boundaries
No Sleep (2009)
This is the second EP in as many years from this young band. While they are overwhelmingly young, they are not without experience. Touting members of the recently deceased War Pigs and The Erection Kids - who despite a silly name are best known for a really great split EP with Title Fight. The best part of this is knowing … Read more
Balance and Composure
Separation
No Sleep (2011)
Separation is not a complicated album nor is it very diverse, yet Balance & Composure have managed to create a record that truly sets them apart from their peers. While that in itself is quite an accomplishment, what is astonishing is the fact that this is the bands debut full length. Though the name Balance & Composure may not stir … Read more
Balboa / Rosetta
Project Mercury
Level Plane (2007)
Project Mercury is the latest output of material from two of Philadelphia's underground sensations: Balboa and Rosetta. The split features original material from each band as well as a collaborative piece - much like the Harkonen and These Arms are Snakes split put out a couple of years back. Project Mercury is a dynamic adventure in music, much like that … Read more
Balcanes
Carne Nueva EP
Humo (2016)
Spain’s Balcanes tread a glorious path through noisy rock with a sound that is as filthy as it is consuming. Although minimally done, Balcanes still force through masses of power by using painful feedback and deep, rumbling bass to create strong textures in their work. Carne Nueva is only a taste of what the band are capable of and on … Read more
Baldruin
Portal
Wounded Knife Records (2015)
Baldruin, the brainchild of Johannes Schebler, is wondering through the psychic domains of ambient music. Even though the project is relatively new, Schebler has put out a number of releases, various split albums and cassettes. However, Portal is the debut of Baldruin in the vinyl domain, released through Wounded Knife Records. What attracts Baldruin to the ambient domain so much … Read more
Bambies
Snotty Angels
Spaghetty Town Records, Wanda Records (2024)
The digital files I’ve been listening to as I write this review are all tagged to begin with the band name, e.g. “Bambies Teenage Night,” “Bambies Love Bite,” etc. It seems like a fitting metaphor. The Bambies play the kind of Ramones-adjacent garage-punk that’s often self-referential and in on their own joke. The Bambies play leather jacket-clad, straight-forward punky songs … Read more
Bambies
Summer Soon
Spaghetty Town Records (2021)
The first song on Sumer Soon is titled “Dirty Taint.” And if that doesn’t put a taste in your mouth for what’s to come, well, keep reading then. There’s some trash rock influence, for sure, but it’s not that cut-and-dried. The Bambies also have some heavy Ramones influence that gives a more wholesome counter tone. It walks the trash punk … Read more
Band of Bastards
DELETE. REPEAT.
Redacted Records, SilverDoor Music (2021)
It’s nice when artists get back to their roots. There’s a time and place for growth and exploration. But there’s also a time and place to let the rage loose, and that’s what’s happening with Band of Bastards on their debut twelve-song slab of blistering hardcore. That’s probably not what you think about when you heard band names like ...And … Read more
Bandname
Breakfast
Soft City Records (2011)
Flippant is a word that popped up on the of Bandname's press sheet. Take their moniker into account and add the heavy slackerism that permeates everything they touch on their debut full-length, Breakfast, and that seems an appropriate description. The Philadelphia three-piece play pop punk that's run through an organ grinder with 90s alternarock, distortion-heavy garage and, more or less, … Read more
