Back When
We Sang as Ghosts
Shock Value (2005)
Escaping cliches can be difficult. In 2005 the instrumental metal band has become its own cliche, along with their album's reviews. Being referred to as a Neurosis-rip off or an Isis-wannabe has become a formality for these bands, and sometimes it isn't even the bands fault. Reviewers are often guilty of only looking towards the genre defining or benchmark bands/albums … Read more
Bad Astronaut
Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
Before the release of Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment, frontman Joey Cape willingly admitted that the record does not measure up to what it should have been, and not many bands would ever publicly admit something like that, but not many bands have experienced the tragedy that befell Bad Astronaut. The band's co-creator, drummer, and one of Cape's best … Read more
Bad Braids
Arrow And Orb
Music Ruins Lives (2011)
Intimate little records and intimate settings will stick with people for a while if they are struck in such a way where the performance just hits them the right way when and where they need it to mark the moment as memorable; quiet whispers and frantic yelps may spark the memory later or some ghost sound that speaks the necessary … Read more
Bad Brains
Build a Nation
Megaforce (2007)
These reunions need to stop. Gorilla Biscuits? Cool. Bold? Okay. Bad Brains? No. Honestly, what was Beastie Boy Adam Yauch thinking when he was producing this pile of garbage known as Build a Nation? Truth be told, I'm relatively new to the Bad Brains catalog. Having listened to them for only a year or so, I'll admit they are a … Read more
Bad Idols
Popstar
Say-10 (2023)
With the billion or so punk subgenres and comeback cycles, it’s interesting to me that more bands aren’t playing this style of Crimpshrine-inspired East Bay punk. Popstar by Bad Idols is crunchy yet melodic. It’s generally pop-structured but with gruff and deeply personal lyrics. Let’s just say the word “I” is prevalent throughout this 12-song record. I’ll also add that … Read more
Bad Kisser
Bate Kush
Independent (2014)
Bate Kush, the second short release from a side-project of drone and ambient musician Foie Gras known as Bad Kisser, presents the listener with a conundrum. The EP has eight extremely noisy and lo-fi tracks, only two of which last more than ninety seconds. Honestly, the brevity of the songs here isn’t really an issue nor is the very rough … Read more
Bad Religion
New Maps of Hell
Epitaph (2007)
Bad Religion may not need any introduction due to their notoriety in punk, hardcore, and various independent and even some mainstream circles, but there are several impressive facts that New Maps of Hell bring to light with its release to the public. One, Bad Religion is, minus a few break ups in the eighties, closing in on thirty years of … Read more
Bad Secrets
Bad Secrets
Robotic Empire (2009)
Considering the make up of this musical project, my interest is rather high with several questions bubbling to the surface, mainly concerning what Bad Secrets sounds like. In any event, being made up of Evan Patterson (Young Widows, Breather Resist, Black Cross, and The National Acrobat) and Dan Davis (of Kodan Armada) will certainly turn some heads when Bad Secrets … Read more
Bad Sports
Bras
Dirtnap (2013)
Bad Sports want you to turn it up. They play loud rock, rooted in the elements, but not tied to rollicking times or anti-authority volume, but taking that foundation and blending it with a fundamental structure that pulls from The Ramones and draws melodic ideas from the genres forefathers in the 1960s. It’s got that Ramones-y repetition/simplicity (“Let Me In”), … Read more
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
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
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
