The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Days of Abandon
Yebo Music (2014)
Five years removed from a self-titled debut released on the legendary Slumberland Records label that to many, signaled the return of sugary indie pop and shoegaze, New York City-based group The Pains of Being Pure at Heart return with 2014’s Days of Abandon, an album that demonstrates that lead singer and guitarist Kip Berman has all but perfected his songwriting … Read more
The People's Temple
Musical Garden
Hozac Records (2014)
It may be an antiquated notion, but there are just some names that you can trust. Names that were built by years of fostering goodwill and established by years of putting out the very best. If it's groovy rock and roll that you seek then Hozac Records is one of those names. It's one of those things where even if … Read more
The Proselyte
Our Vessel's in Need
Gypsyblood (2014)
Proselyte return with their newest EP, Our Vessel’s In Need, which also marks the first release for Gypsyblood records ( the label of Stavros Giannopoulos of The Atlas Moth) and they really nail it. The insane trio from Boston throw everything they got in this EP, putting together their admiration for bands such as The Melvins alongside acts like Cave … Read more
The Rebel Spell
Last Run
Rebel Time Records (2014)
In many ways The Rebel Spell’s Last Run is a depressing album. The cover art depicts a feeble, aging anthropoid trying desperately to hold back an immense industrial wave. It’s clear that he won’t be able to stand his ground for long. The album title itself can be interpreted as an ominous prediction for the fate of our civilization. And … Read more
The Sands
Hotel & Casino
Houseplant (2014)
Say what you will about the old “don’t judge a book by its cover” metaphor, but it’s got some credence in the music world too. The Sands’ Hotel & Casino is a case in point. The black vinyl sleeve may have suggested something darker, but the simplicity and attention to precision that marks the cover is befitting of the record … Read more
The Smith Street Band
Throw Me in the River
Side One Dummy (2014)
Summarizing The Smith Street Band is a bit difficult. While I want to lump them in with folk-punk, that’s only true in song structure. There’s far too much electric guitar to drop that name on them—and maybe too much to just label it “punk.” Think Against Me! without the shouting. The roots are in a louder version of folk-punk, but … Read more
The Tim Version
Ordinary Life
No Idea Records (2014)
The Tim Version’s set at Fest 12 was slower. The songs were drawn out—still loud, and angry—but they were a notch slower, going for expansive and big instead of that 1-2 punch. Was that to be the style on their next album, or was it just the hangover influencing their set list?Ordinary Life is their second LP on No Idea … Read more
The Trouble With Templeton
Rookie
Bella Union (2014)
All good stories need an emphatic storyteller to bring the characters to life. Beyond one dimensional storyboards where all film ideas begin and draft-upon-draft of song lyrics harbouring a vision, the most important part of any creative endeavour is when these ideas are brought out of their enshrouded beginnings, and the storyteller tells us why these characters should matter to … Read more
The War On Drugs
Lost In The Dream
Secretly Canadian (2014)
The Philadelphia rock scene is famous for producing indie bands heavily dosed on vintage, classic rock. Folker Kurt Vile recalls Bob Dylan and neo-psychedelia band Dr.Dog draws upon Big Star. You probably know Vile from when he packed all the “Best Of” lists last year with his critically-acclaimed masterpiece Wakin’ On A Pretty Daze, and you've probably heard Dr.Dog’s rootsy … Read more
Tiny Empires
Weird Headspace
Independent (2014)
Tiny Empires seek to build something new; something powerful, significant, and memorable, just as the name suggests. With their debut record Weird Headspace they’re doing just that. It’s big, grasping, and expansive work.It’s also out of the ordinary for the scene in which it originates.Lead by Eric Solomon (O Pioneers!!!) and Bryon Lippincott (New Bruises), it plays off the two … Read more
Tit
Tit
FDH (2014)
So I’m a fan of The Hussy. People who read this site have (hopefully) picked up on that. Well, TIT is a two piece with Bobby Hussy and Shawn Foree of the more popular (but previously unheard by me) Digital Leather. Let’s just say that their 12” is an interesting record, and not what I expected.Where I expected ballsy and … Read more
Tobacco
Ultima II Massage
Ghostly International (2014)
Known primarily as the frontman for Black Moth Super Rainbow, Tobacco (the stage name of electronic musician Thomas Fec) has nonetheless carved out a little niche for himself as a solo artist in the electronic music scene with albums like 2010’s Maniac Meat, which featured contributions by the one and only Beck. Four years later, Tobacco has unveiled Ultima II … Read more
Tomorrow We Sail
For Those Who Caught The Sun In Flight
Gizeh (2014)
Tomorrow We Sail is the perfect title for a band that seemed to have taken me on a journey. From the moment I turned on song one, “The Well & the Tide” I felt like I had been swept on an adventurous trek through mountain and sea. I closed my eyes and imagined myself in places I’d have seen on … Read more
Total Control
Typical System
Iron Lung (2014)
Sometimes you get stuck on a review. Sure, I meant to delve outside my comfort zone a bit in grabbing this record, but I’ve been a little stuck on the details. The plus side, of course, is that means I’ve given it dozens of spins.Typical System is the second release from Melbourne’s Total Control. The band features some recognizable names … Read more
Triptykon
Melana Chasmata
Century Media (2014)
In his long, storied, and in this mind, legendary career, Thomas Gabriel Fischer (Tom G. Warrior) has been a man of dark talent and darker vision. Where I think he has always been separated from his peers however, is always being able to show the listener the beauty in that darkness. From Hellhammer to Celtic Frost to Apollonyon Sun to … Read more
Tweak Bird
Any Ol' Way
Lets Pretend (2014)
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
Tweens
Tweens
French Kiss (2014)
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
Twilight
III: Beneath Trident's Tomb
Century Media (2014)
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
