The Phantom Carriage
New Thing
Throatruiner (2011)
I first came across The Phantom Carriage whilst browsing bandcamp for new things to hear. I tag searched black metal, saw the cover and clicked download. I wasn't quite prepared for what happened next. This record does have some black metal elements, but there's also hardcore, some mathcore, some jazz. Yes, jazz. New Thing is one of the maddest albums … Read more
The Phase Problem
The Power Of Positive Thinking
Brassneck Records (2024)
I spent a good part of the late ‘90s annoyed at the abundance of Ramonescore. I’ll stand by my word: many of the bands of that era were carbon copies that didn’t bring anything new to the format. But time has passed and what was overdone is now a refreshing change of pace. For whatever reason, when I hear a … Read more
The Photographic
Pictures of a Changing World
Galaxia (2008)
Clocking in at just under an hour, Pictures of a Changing World is truly a cohesive release encompassing a gamut of emotions; a valiant task considering The Photographic don't have the luxury of words. Like most instrumental bands the two-piece is heavily reliant on reoccurring themes while expanding on such ideas with the help of loops. The effort comes across … Read more
The Pink Spiders
Sweat it Out
Mean Buzz (2008)
This might be the first band I've reviewed that I've also loaded gear for. I worked a show a couple years back when The Pink Spiders were opening for Kill Hannah, and helped load their stuff in. So I have a strange complex with them. It's like I'm their servant, their underling. And I don't like it. What I have … Read more
The Pipettes
We are The Pipettes
Memphis Industries (2006)
Sometimes the best way to create something new and fresh is to look to the past and try to bring it back from the dead. It seems that almost all music is in some way looking 20 years earlier for it's style and sound. The Pipettes however are looking even further back for their inspiration; back to when Phil Spector … Read more
The Pirate Ship Quintet
Emitter
Denovali (2019)
The Pirate Ship Quintet begun investigating the deep waters of post-rock during the genre’s peak in the ‘00s. Founded in 2007 the band prefers a sparse release output, which provides them the necessary time to properly prepare and mould each album they put out. Minimalist notions, longform narratives, moving soundscapes and a hint of neoclassical and jazz elements comprised the … Read more
The Pirate Ship Quintet
Rope for No-Hopers
Denovali (2012)
Five years after their first EP was released, English band The Pirate Ship Quintet have finally released their debut album, 2012's Rope for No-Hopers. But how well does it hold up in comparison to the modern post-rock scene?Right from the get-go, it sounds like they're trying to re-create that symphonic-based minimalist sound of the Montréal post-rock scene, mixed with just … Read more
The Pledge
Distress
Independent (2006)
I don't really consider myself to be a professional journalist by any means. But in my position as an "in my spare time journalist" I frequently come across fairly unknown yet promising bands that are truly deserving of high praise. The most recent of those being Dayton, Ohio's The Pledge. Distress is the band's debut 7", or at least it … Read more
The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower
Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)
The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower are a daring young band from California. The band comes together in a whirlwind of jazz, hardcore, and indie. Noisy guitars, jazzy saxophones, and vocals on the edge of screaming make up the Plot's signature sound. I had been anticipating this album a great deal, and I was anything but disappointing. They … Read more
The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower
Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)
I had heard one song before getting the whole album so I kind of knew what to expect from the band. A good punk/rock type sound mixed with avant-garde jazz complete with saxophone and trumpet. From the intro track with the female voice, I was captivated. This record will have you dancing your ass off one second and break into … Read more
The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower
Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)
This band was supposed to play at a show I went to a while back, but something came up. I hadn't really heard anything about them so I shrugged it off. It's a shame I did. I really wish I had gotten that opportunity because it wouldn't have taken me so long to find out about this awesome, new band. … Read more
The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower
Love in the Fascist Brothel
Revelation (2005)
In 2003, San Diego's Plot to Blow up the Eiffel Tower unleashed Dissertation Honey upon an unsuspecting crowd of jerks with messy hair. The release mixed elements of jazz and post-hardcore seamlessly, making it one of the most exciting albums of the year. Love in the Fascist Brothel is the Plot's second full length, a record that, logically, should fully … Read more
The Plurals
Swish
GTG Records (2017)
The Plurals are a heavy indie rock band from Lansing, Michigan. Their latest album, Swish, was released on GTG Records, a record label the band created when they started putting out music in 2007. The trio’s passion for the Lansing rock scene and DIY aesthetic is compelling, and this piece in the Lansing City Pulse about the band and label’s … Read more
The Pogues
Ultimate Collection
WEA (2005)
I've never really been a fan of "best of..." collections. Too much of the time, they are released mid-career without justification or necessity, or to fill an unusually long gap between albums. Even more often, they are used as cynical marketing ploys, or worse, in order to milk the cash cow of any given artist whom lacks longevity. At times, … Read more
The Poison Arrows
Casual Wave
File 13 (2008)
Being from Chicago, The Poison Arrows have a style that unmistakeably brings to mind the old, early to mid 90's alternative rock scene. Since that particular time spawned quite a few great bands then this can be considered a good prospect. The debut EP from this band doesn't necessarily resemble the noisy endeavors of Steve Albini or the madness of … Read more
The Poison Arrows
First Class, and Forever
File 13 (2009)
Following on from an impressive mini-album, Poison Arrows have now put their talent to use in the full album format, something sought after when Casual Wave was making the spins. Now, with room to expand and with the time to let the songs build up over almost one hour's time and with a crisp recording from Albini's legendary Electrical Audio … Read more
The Polyphonic Spree
The Fragile Army
TVT (2007)
Calling The Polyphonic Spree a Flaming Lips knockoff would be lazy and unfair to the Spree's aesthetic, but the similarities are so blatant. Not using The Lips as a point of reference seems just as criminal. So what roads to both these bands walk? To begin, Spree vocalist Tim DeLaughter sings in a manner much like Wayne Coyne. It's the … Read more
The Postal Service
Give Up
Sub Pop (2003)
Ben Gibbard has butterfingers lately. No, I'm not accusing him of having an affection towards a particular candy bar, I'm refering to his ability to maintain musical quality. The newest Death Cab album is being met with mixed responses from critics, unlike their previous efforts which gathered an admirable amount of critical acclaim. Not only can that be said looking … Read more
