It's been a while since Sacramento churned out a new band worth hearing, but Turn it Around is that band. Their four-song 7" is chuck-full of fast-paced hardcore with a dash of melody. "Live it Up" kicks things off in a sound that is reminiscent of Comeback Kid, which is ironic given the band's name in correlation to Comeback Kid's … Read more
It has only been a couple of months since I use a music app (other than Bandcamp). At first I was mad with it, as it was suggesting music I should like which was either total crap or so much unlike my taste that I thought someone else might be using my account. Anyway, one day this app suggested I … Read more
Tusk has long been a side project of the more and more highly esteemed band Pelican, but is much heavier and includes vocals at times. On The Resisting Dreamer, the normal members of Tusk are joined by Evan Patterson (Young Widows, Black Cross, Breather Resist, A National Acrobat) and Toby Driver (Kayo Dot). The Resisting Dreamer is meant to be … Read more
I take pride in my local hardcore scene. I try to make it out to as many shows as I can, support friends in bands in any way possible, and occasionally book a show or two. So I'm continuing to do my part by telling you about TV Crimes, my favorite local band right now. TV Crimes fuse together early … Read more
The best band names are unique but not hard to remember. Funny, apropos or fierce, depending on the group’s take. Something somebody somewhere can proudly wear on a shirt, a patch or a pin. Something a new fan can easily tell a friend and then search on the internet. TV Moms did not ace these tests in my opinion. They’re … Read more
Young Liars was one of the most exceptional releases that I have heard in recent years. It caught me completely off guard. Based on the descriptions I was given prior, I anticipated to be extremely bored. Despite the warnings of others, I went forward and purchased the album blindly. I don't regret it for a moment. Now a year later, … Read more
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
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
Surprise Attack Records and I have never had a good relationship. There isn't any sort of beef between us or anything, it's just I always get stoked for their releases only to be left disappointed when I get something. Surprise Attack Records hypes the hell out of their bands and they make it sound like they are going to hear … Read more
Like all of you, when i think of Portugal, I think of three things: the architect Miguel von Hafe P'rez, tungsten mines, and metal. I know what you're thinking - I'm biased. Sure, we're all familiar with bands like Holocausto Canibal, Acromaniacos and Bizarra Locomotiva - all of which are named after famous Portuguese papal candidates. But no, be strong! … Read more
Twilight is a difficult band to define. Throughout the years, since their inception back in 2004, the band has seen some very interesting line-up changes which obviously resulted in the evolution of their sound. The core members of Twilight always were N. Imperial of Krieg, Wrest of Leviathan and Blake Judd of Nachtmystium (even though he was not a part … Read more
Supergroups tend to be either spectacular successes or spectacular failures. Either the musicians work well together, or they don't. Creative differences, personal drama or overgrown egos can easily get in the way when we are dealing with already-established artists. Twilight is an American black metal supergroup I have had my eye on for some time, but I honestly expected to … Read more
Well anyone that names themselves after Floorpunch most be good right? Well Twin Killing is. Fast youth crew styled hardcore with prerequisite breakdowns, singalongs, and everything else that makes a good hardcore good. However Twin Killing doesn't win any points in the originality bracket and everything on ...If This Could Last Forever you have heard before if you own anything … 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
Connecticut’s Twitch the Ripper is comprised of duo Jon Dobyns and Lonn Bologna. Bodiless is their debut album, which is deeply invested in the Dark Wave genre; emphasising the synth-heavy pop and Industrial elements.The album’s opening track quickly sets the tone for the next 45 minutes that this record lasts; within the first 4 bars strong echoes of Pretty Hate … Read more
2012 sees Two Gallants coming back from a 5-year hiatus with their new release The Bloom and the Blight. How have the ensuing years treated the San Francisco blues-folk duo? Well, the press sheet calls it a record of catharsis, so one can only assume there were some personal events that transpired since 2007’s self-titled release. The major item that … Read more
Two Gallants have left many critics, myself included, dumbfounded for a means of describing their music. Those less talented have made illusions to their folk rock contemporaries and labelmates, or a certain well-known rock duo, claiming vocalist/guitarist Adam Fontaine and drummer Hyde Edneud as the bastard sons of these groupings. The closest thing I have come across as to giving … Read more
One of my greatest passions in life is stories. I love stories. I love to be told stories, I love to tell stories, I love to interpret, dwell on, ponder, elaborate upon, discuss, and enjoy stories. I love books because they tell amazing stories. I love movies because they tell a great story, even beneath some of the cheese and … Read more
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