Deric Dyer
Renaissance Man
Dellboy Records (2012)
So this is what happens when you gather up some of the best musicians around the Boston scene and then front the band with one of the top saxophone players going these days. Deric Dyer has played saxophone for the likes of Tina Turner and Joe Cocker even guesting on the Ric Ocasek - Beatitude album. Deric has been carefully … Read more
Devin Townsend Project
Epicloud
HevyDevy (2012)
You may never suspect it, but listening to the catalogue of Canadian musician Devin Townsend will cause you to run the gamut of extreme metal, new age, arena rock, ambient, and somehow even more. His last four albums, released under the Devin Townsend Project moniker, were supposed to be an exploration of the vastness of his artistic abilities, and they … Read more
Diablo Swing Orchestra
Pandora's Piñata
Sensory (2012)
Though they're definitely much more accessible than some of their peers, the Diablo Swing Orchestra are without a doubt one of the best avant-garde metal bands around. Granted, it does seem weird to put them in the same category alongside bands like maudlin of the Well, Dog Fashion Disco, and Ved Buens Ende, but their eclectic instrumentation, diverse song arrangements, … Read more
Digital Leather
Modern Problems
FDH (2012)
It’s been three years since Shawn Foree’s one man synth-punk project Digital Leather released the critically acclaimed album Warm Brother. In that time he’s seen the untimely passing of his friend-turned-manager Jay Reatard, and—after one-off stints on Goner and Fat Possum—has returned to the smaller label he was with before that, FDH. The latest outing, Modern Problems, was recorded to … Read more
DIIV
Oshin
Captured Tracks (2012)
Before reading any further, know that DIIV are anything but overwrought. The NYC band’s debut, Oshin, reflects the sort of open air, free-flowing rhythms and harmonics fluent in the thriving genre of dream pop. Naturally, the music isn’t about following along or thinking too hard about it. Everything here is predictable and minimalist. That’s what makes it so enjoyable.Oshin is … Read more
Dinosaur Jr.
Live at 9:30 Club: In the Hands of the Fans
MVD Visual (2012)
In 1988 Dinosaur Jr. released their third record Bug. Despite it being lead singer/guitarists and band leader J.Mascis’ least favorite outing, it was their most successful album up to that point. While touring in support of it, tension between Mascis and bassist Lou Barlow, who had known each other since high school and played together in hardcore band Deep Wound … Read more
Dirty Three
Toward The Low Sun
Drag City (2012)
The things I like about this album start with the art itself; guitarist Mick Turner's beautiful artwork perfectly captures his music's mood and sound. In fact, it's the best visual summary I can give of Dirty Three's newest album, Toward the Low Sun.Primarily, the album seeks to obtain this extremely casual, laid-back atmosphere, as if just a collection of rough … Read more
Downtown Struts
Victoria!
Pirates Press (2012)
Pop-punk, Americana infused rock 'n' roll isn't really something I'd usually find myself listening to, but occasionally it's quite nice to break free of the norm and invest your time in something a little different. Downtown Struts are one such investment, and it was very much time well spent. Riding the coattails of bands such as Against Me!, The Gaslight … Read more
Dr. Dog
Be The Void
Anti (2012)
These days, few musicians are fortunate enough to have released seven consistently pleasing albums, thrive on live performance, partake in the DIY method of surviving making music for a living and have a blast doing so. The Philadelphia bred Dr. Dog manage to do just this.Anyone can compare a modern band drawing influences from 60’s and 70’s baroque pop and … Read more
Dragonforce
The Power Within
Roadrunner (2012)
Okay, I'll just come out and say it--I like DragonForce.I know, I know; just saying 'DragonForce' is a one-liner joke in of itself. Whether its the plague of terrible performances that prevailed during the Inhuman Rampage tour, or the observation that the band can only play at two speeds: metal and ballad, or simply the fact that fantasy-based power metal … Read more
Drivin' N Cryin'
Songs about Cars, Space and The Ramones
New! (2012)
In keeping true to their word, the fabulous Atlanta band Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ has released their second EP in a series of four. Songs about Cars, Space and The Ramones is now out and this one has the band showcasing their punk/pop side. The band consists of Kevn Kinney (guitar), Tim Nielsen (bass), Sadler Vaden (guitar), and Dave V. Johnson … Read more
Drivin' N Cryin'
Songs From The Laundromat
New! (2012)
Drivin’ N Cryin’ formed in Atlanta back in 1985 have announced their plans to release four EPs over the next year. The first in the series showcases their Southern Rock style, each of the following EPs will focus on a different genre of the Drivin' N Cryin' sound. The EP Songs From The Laundromat opens with the gritty rocker “Dirty” … Read more
Drop Tank
Domina
Independent (2012)
Playing rock and roll, and playing it well, isn’t easy these days. So much has been produced and rehashed of the genre, its best days having existed mostly in the 60’s and 70’s. Don’t get me wrong; rock and roll is still very much alive. It’s the distinction between the plethora of bands playing for an audience of head scratchers, … Read more
Druglord
Motherfucker Rising
Last Anthem (2012)
Druglord from Virginia are taking a slow, lurching crawl into this world. With this, their first proper LP, the three-piece make a case for less being more in many ways. The 6-song record resides on the cough syrup addled side of the metal/hardcore spectrum, relying on drawn out vocals and lengthy guitar passages. This is as good a place as … Read more
Dum Dum Girls
End Of Daze
Sub Pop (2012)
Ah the Dum Dum Girls… the Dum Dum Girls are in serious danger of transcending the shtick that the band is partially and maybe unfairly saddled with as the End Of Daze certainly shows pushing back at the boundaries of songwriter Dee Dee’s previous songs for the band without losing any of the charm or panache with which those other … Read more
Eagle Twin
The Feather Tipped The Serpent's Scale
Southern Lord (2012)
Sophomore albums are always an intriguing milestone for musicians and bands because they kind of serve notice as to how they react to people’s reception of their work (and that reaction ranges from full on ignoring critics and listeners alike and following their own directions to modifying and mass alterations to style and sound depending on what grabbed people’s ears … Read more
El-P
Cancer 4 Cure
Fat Possum (2012)
A man such as El-P is an anomaly to say the least. To fully describe his music in genre labels or easily identifiable terminology is almost an exercise in futility as both a music fan and writer. The life long New Yorker and figurehead within the underground hip hop scene manages to make a legitimate argument for hip hop as … Read more
Elizabeth
Where Vultures Land
Throatruiner (2012)
Throatruiner Records have steadily increased their presence in the world of black/hardcore/completely mad music of late, and this little French label continually put out some of the most exciting and interesting sounds out there. The Phantom Carriage, Love Sex Machine, Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire....each hold massive sound and that little something extra that gives Throatruiner that … Read more
