Sigur Rós
Kveikur
XL Recordings (2013)
I came to know Sigur Rós through their early material, all very long, dreamy recordings with just a hint of pop rock bliss to ground them. Ágætis byrjun and ( ) are the albums that made the band a household name, and it's difficult not to look back on them and feel like, in some capacity, that's what the band … Read more
Snoop Lion
Reincarnated (Documentary)
Vice (2013)
"David Bowie, Justin Timberlake, Madonna; pop culture is no stranger to reinvention. When the public tire of a persona or an artist wishes to make a change, the old looks, personality or profession can be remade and resold in the same climate. That said, it's a process which can chew up and spit out- just ask Amanda Bynes's cheek piercings." … Read more
Soen
Cognitive
Spinefarm Records (2013)
Albums from supergroups always make me feel torn. I am excited and worried at the same time whenever great musicians decide to collaborate, excited for obvious reasons but also worried because it would be a major disappointment listening to an album with a “dream come true” line-up that turns out to be mediocre. But with Soen there is no reason … Read more
Sol Cat
Self Titled
Independent (2013)
Nashville based Sol Cat independently released their first full length album on bandcamp in mid February. The indie and rock scene in Nashville is a well kept secret thanks to the city’s reputation for country music and being home of so many major labels, but you won’t find any country influences here. The nine track self-titled release is all chilled … Read more
Soror Dolorosa
No More Heroes
Northern Silence/Beneath Grey Skies (2013)
They say that imitation is the best form of flattery, and France’s Soror Dolorosa, in choosing to name their sophomore record after a Stranglers album (due to a badge depicting the album appearing on a jacket used for the cover art) manage to wear their hearts on their leather sleeves and show exactly what they’re about in one fell swoop. … Read more
Spektr
Cypher
Agonia (2013)
The origin of black metal could easily be traced back to the early 80’s and the British band Venom. However, it was a decade later in Norway with bands like Mayhem and Darkthrone that the heavy metal subgenre truly began to take shape. The grim, lo-fi sound of early Darkthrone has undoubtedly influenced the French experimental duo, Spektr. Their third … Read more
Spock's Beard
Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
Inside Out (2013)
As far as modern progressive rock goes, Spock's Beard are probably the most fun band around. Flippantly named after that one episode of Star Trek that gave us the frighteningly barbate Leonard Nimoy, the band have become known for releasing album after album of high quality, if not exactly original, music. Their most recent studio album, Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless … Read more
Spokenest
We Move
Independent (2013)
Two piece bands seem to be gaining in popularity again, and it’s easy to see why from a musician’s perspective. The fewer people involved, the easier to organize, practice, and tour. There are duos done well (see Street Eaters) and lesser cases who aren’t getting the namedrop here. Spokenest is a newer project of similar ilk, bringing Adrian and Daryl … Read more
Steve Adamyk Band
Third
Dirtnap (2013)
Sometimes calling something the “[insert record label]” sound is meant in a derisive way. Before the clichés came home, however, it was also used to complement a label’s stable for having some unique defining qualities. That’s where Steve Adamyk Band fits with their Dirtnap Records home. The general style that SAB plays can be summed up in a few distinct … Read more
Steven Wilson
The Raven that Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)
Kscope (2013)
Though they all claim lineage to the great acts of the 1970s, no modern progressive band can claim that they sound even remotely similar to them. Bands in the modern progressive rock genre (see Transatlantic, Spock's Beard, Coheed and Cambria) tend to sound closer akin to brightly-polished half-metal than the rock of the 70s, with a loudness and clarity that … Read more
STNNNG
Empire Inward
Modern Radio (2013)
When frontman Chris Besinger laments, “I’m howling/ Can you hear me?” at the start of “Ballad of the Drunken Word,” it all comes home. Empire Inward is STNNNG’s fourth full-length and comes as the band celebrates their tenth anniversary. Since 2003 STNNNG has been spitting rage, frustration, and some downright mean-sounding rock’n’roll. At times vocalist Besinger sounds like a lunatic … Read more
Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington
High Rise EP
Play Pen LLC (2013)
For those who recall, the first time that Stone Temple Pilots got tired of waiting around for Scott Weiland to turn his shit around was in 1997. The DeLeo brothers and drummer Eric Kretz recruited singer Dave Coutts and Talk Show was born. I saw them play live on the second leg of Foo Fighters' Colour and the Shape tour. … Read more
Subrosa
More Constant Than the Gods
Profound Lore (2013)
Subrosa have managed to get lumped into the doom genre. While that genre tag isn't completely inaccurate it certainly fails to tell the full story of the band. The band certainly has doom elements at times heavy guitars and lengthy song structures may stick out the band refuses to stick to convention and allowing for a style that is more … Read more
Sundowners
The Larger Half of Wisdom
Dirt Cult (2013)
It’s been a couple years of seeing Sundowners’ name pop up on show listings around town. Still, I’ve missed them every time. Well, the band has now popped up on Dirt Cult Records’ roster too, so I figured I was beyond due to see what the Minneapolis band (not to be confused with Lawrence Arms side project Sundowner) is all … Read more
Sutekh Hexen
Become
King Of Monsters (2013)
Throughout their relatively short tenure, Sutekh Hexen has produced several thought provoking releases that intrigue from both a sonic and an aesthetic perspective; and Become is no different than that description as well as it seemingly marks a turning point for the (at times) shadowy outfit as it is purportedly the first recording to not feature one of the founding … Read more
Sutekh Hexen
Monument Of Decay
Black Horizons / Belaten / Merzbild (2013)
This is the type of release that you might find yourself anxiously waiting for if, one, you are a hopeless nerd for the band (in which case I am) or, two, you find elaborate and unique packaging to be completely in your wheelhouse (double check for me); so Monument Of Decay from Sutekh Hexen is a perfect confluence of these … Read more
Swingin' Utters
Poorly Formed
Fat Wreck Chords (2013)
First things first, Poorly Formed packs some nice verbiage. With word drops like “crumb bums” and “rigmarole” the Swingin’ Utters have incorporated some lively language into their 8th studio album. It follows 2011’s decent but underwhelming Here, Under Protest and, with the new one they seem to be back in the swing of things. Poorly Formed is far more interesting … Read more
Swollen Members
Beautiful Death Machine
Suburban Noize (2013)
Beautiful Death Machine is the eighth studio album by the Vancouver, British Columbia rap group, Swollen Members. I must admit, up until recently I hadn’t paid much attention to the group since their 1999 debut, Balance. It was one of my favorite underground hip-hop albums from that year, but in the 14-year interim I’ve missed a lot of material. Needless … Read more
