Latest List (2/19) Animal Collective, Moodymann, The Starting Line, and more!

Aluk Tolodo-Voix
Genre: Experimental Rock, Kraut Rock, Post Rock
FFO: Menace Ruine, Gnaw Their Tongues

The latest LP from French Occult rock trio Alux Tolodo is a very unique and meditative release. The various member’s past involvement in the Black Metal scene becomes quite apparent throughout the six tracks of vast atmospheric soundscapes centered in busy instrumentation. If you are looking get lost in a captivating experimental masterpiece full of unexpected twists and turns give this record a listen.

Bandcamp: https://www.facebook.com/aluktodoloofficial/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aluktodoloofficial/
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: n/a

Animal Collective-Painting With
Genre: Psychedelic Pop
FFO:The Beach Boys, Panda Bear, Delorean

Avey Tare, Panda Bear, and Geologist return once more with their tenth LP under the Animal Collective moniker. Painting With takes the abrasive instrumentation found on both Strawberry Jam and Centipede HZ, but applies a more accessible vocal approach similar to the likes of the critically acclaimed Merriweather Post Pavillion. While this release may serve as the group’s most linear album to date, it consists of twelve dense, fun, and catchy tunes that will refuse to leave your head and you won’t want them to.

Bandcamp: n/a
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anmlcollective/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anmlcollective/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/anmlcollective
 

Combomatix-
Chinese Songs for Bad Boys
Genre: Punk Rock
FFO: Japandroids

French Two piece punk n’ roll act Combomatix show the world what they are capable of with their sophomore LP Chinese Songs for Bad Boys. It’s fast, dirty, and an overall fun ride. Keep an ear to the ground for these guys.

Bandcamp: https://combomatix.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Combomatix-119016974834926/
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: n/a
 

Golden Daze-Self Titled
Genre: Indie Rock, Dream Pop, Shoegazing, Psychedelic Rock
FFO: Diiv, Mac DeMarco, Turnover 

Golden Daze is a young, LA-based psychedelic rock duo that deserves a listen from you immediately. The band’s debut self-titled LP pulls from both shoegazing and dream pop influences to create rich, smooth soundscapes channeled through ambiance and pure euphoria. If you're having a bad day, tracks like "Never Comin' Back" and "Lean In" are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Bandcamp: https://goldendaze.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldendazela/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golden_daze_/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/golden_daze_
 

Living Hour-Self Titled
Genre: Dream Pop, Shoegazing, Psychedelic Rock
FFO: Wildhoney, Cocteau Twins, Slowdive

Winnepeg quintet Living Hour’s debut LP is a celestial collection of eight dreamy tunes encapsulating all of the greatest aspects of modern dream pop and shoegazing. With its dense texture, lush atmosphere, and overall relaxing nature, this self-titled record is a summery delight that could potentially grace your year end list.


Bandcamp: https://thehours.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Livinghourband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinghour/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehourswpg
 

Moodymann-DJ Kicks
Genre: Hip Hop, Electronic, House
FFO: Theo Parish, Carl Craig

House music legend Kenny Dixon Jr. aka “Moodymann” has released his first officially licensed Mix CD and it proves to be nothing short of spectacular. The gargantuan 30 track album spans across the genres of soul, r&b, disco, techno, latin, downtempo, synth pop and many more. Sampled artists artists such as Flying Lotus, Jose Gonzales, Dopehead, Yaw, Little Dragon, and the list goes on. Check out this hot new release and allow Moodymann to show how to truly work the turntable.

Bandcamp: n/a
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moodymann313/
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: https://twitter.com/moodymann313
 

Purling Hiss-Something
Genre: Rock, Lo-Fi \
FFO: Dinosaur Jr.

If you are looking for some hard-hitting lo-fi rock n’ roll tunes similar to the likes of Dinosaur Jr, Philadelphia’s Purling Hiss has the ideal EP for you. The Something 7” shows Mike Polizze channeling the legendary J. Mascis in the best possible way with four reverb-soaked pop tracks that will have you tapping your toes and humming along from start to finish.


Bandcamp: https://purlinghiss.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PurlingHiss/
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: https://twitter.com/purlinghiss

Rev Rev Rev- 
Des Fleurs Maguiques Bourdonnaient
Genre: Shoegazing, Noise Rock, Psychadelic Rock
FFO: My Bloody Valentine, A Place to Bury Strangers, Jefferson Airplane 

Italian shoegazers Rev Rev Rev have returned once more for a wonderful sophomore LP. Des Fleurs Maguiques Bourdonnaient harnesses both Loveless-esque swirling, harsh, droney sonic walls and Jefferson Airplane psychedelia. Laura Iacuzio’s ethereal vocalwork serves as an instrument in itself pounded deep underneath layers of reverb and distortion but decipherable enough to create beauty in the madness. 

Bandcamp: https://revrevrev.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revrevrev.band/
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: https://twitter.com/revrevrev_band 

Sioux Falls- Rot Forever
Genre: Indie Rock, Emo, Folk Punk
FFO: Modest Mouse, Weezer, Joyce Manor, Tiger's Jaw 

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Sioux Falls is a new three-piece indie rock outfit that sounds like Modest Mouse, Weezer, and Joyce Manor had an incredibly awkward three way. Rot Forever functions as the trio’s massive debut spanning across seventy minutes of raw, abrasive, emotional ballads that will please any fan of the previously mentioned three bands.

Bandcamp: https://siouxfalls.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siouxfallswick/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siouxfallsandstuff/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/siouxfallsband
 


So Pitted-neo
Genre: Punk Rock, Noise Rock
FFO: Black Flag, Nirvana

Named after the popular YouTube video featuring a young teen boasting of his surfing escapes utilizing bizarre slang to a news reporter on live television, So Pitted is a noise punk trio from Seattle that’s beyond ready to melt some face. The group’s debut on Sub Pop is a noisy assault in the ear drum channeling Bleach era Nirvana and early Black Flag. Give neo a listen if you think your ears are up for it.

Bandcamp: https://sopitted.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/So-Pitted-106752029386658/
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sopittedplayer
 

The Starting Line-Anyways EP
Genre: Pop Punk, Alternative Rock
FFO: Taking Back Sunday, The Early November

Don’t pretend you live in a world where Say it Like You Mean it wasn’t your middle school anthem. There was something about Kenny Vasoli’s nasily voice and catchy hooks that told us what we thought about when we gone and so alone. Well before we knew it, The Starting Line was gone but nine years later we have a three song EP that surprisingly illustrates that the Drive Thru veterans managed to stand the test of time. Anyways is a brief yet fun, light-hearted pleasure of a listen as well as sneak peak to a potential long-awaited fourth album. 

Bandcamp: https://thestartingline.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestartingline/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestartinglinerock/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/thestartingline

Latest List (2/15) Magrudergrind, Pinegrove

Magrudergrind-II
Genre: Grindcore, Powerviolence, Hardcore Punk
FFO: Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Dropdead, Napalm Death

It’s been seven years since Magrudergrind’s self titled LP and II picks up exactly where it left off. There are no warnings or introductions to the chaotic adrenaline rush that is about to blast through your veins. The latest record from the DC godfathers of grind is a collection of no-nonsense power violence tracks that will sonically plunge you into the darkest depths of the earth and will do anything in its power to prevent you from coming up for air until its abrupt completion. 

Bandcamp: https://magrudergrind.bandcamp.com/album/ii
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagrudergrindOfficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magrudergrind/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/magrudergrind 

Pinegrove-Cardinal 
Genre: Emo, Indie, Alternative Country
FFO: Wilco, Bright Eyes

Montclair, NJ’s Pinegrove is bringing a new genre to the kids with their Run For Cover debut Cardinal. In the past, I have described the septet’s sound to be similar to the likes of what Bob Dylan’s music would sound like if he was born in the 90′s. Cardinal boasts eight songs of solid Alternative Country tracks with enough of an emo/indie rock flavor to keep the fans of Wilco, Lucero, or Dawes equally as content as fans of Bright Eyes or Death Cab For Cutie. It’s refreshing, emotionally, soulful, feel-good tracks with a twang that do anything but overstay it’s welcome. 

Bandcamp: https://pinegrove.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://pinegrove.bandcamp.com/ 
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinegroveband

Latest List (2/5/16) Diiv, Massive Attack, Say Anything, and more

Aksumite-Rubber Room
Genre: Black Metal, Hardcore Punk
FFO: A Pregnant Light, Sandworm

A Pregnant Light’s Damian Master has teamed up once again with drummer Tim Lenger under the Aksumite monkier for a rock hard LP that starts the month off right. Rubber Room channels the unique approach to the Black Metal genre Master has gained a reputation for but transfers the creativity to the shared realm of hardcore punk and rock n’ roll. The two piece fires out hard-hitting rock n’ roll anthems with the progressive “A Void, Love” serving as the album’s fulcrum creating a well-structured and unique release that illustrates the mastery behind the writing of Damian Master. 

Bandcamp: https://colloquialsoundrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/rubber-room
Facebook: n/a
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: n/a 

Diiv-Is the Is Are 
Genre: Indie Rock, Post Punk, Dream Pop, Kraut Rock 
FFO: Beach Fossils, The Cure

With each passing moment, 31-year-old New York Indie rocker Zachary Cole Smith comfortably slips more and more comfortably into the “tortured artist” archetype. His struggles with substance abuse are no secret, he has achieved quasi-celebrity status due to his public relationship with pop singer Sky Ferreira, and the pressure of his follow up to Oshin were seemingly self-inflicted due to promises of gargantuan proportions. Is the Is Are proves to be a fitting title for the abstract seventeen tracks of both dream pop and shoegaze influenced post punk comparable to the likes of The Cure. It goes without saying that seventeen tracks is intimidating and an overall risky move for an indie rock album in 2016, but Smith somehow manages to keep the filler to a minumum. Even the 17-second abrupt instrumental “(Fuck)” serves its purpose ushering the listener into the final act of the record. Ferrieira takes on vocal duties on “Blue Boredom” suprisingly channeling strong Sonic Youth vibes that work strongly in the context of the album, and serves as more than just a forced couple cross promotional tactic (I’m looking directly at you, Max Bemis). Is the Is Are isn’t the mangnom opus Smith promises, but it is a dazzling release filled with ethereal vocals and dreamy guitarwork backing the memoirs of a tortured soul.

Bandcamp: https://diivct.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diivnyc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealienzzz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DIIV
 

Ghostlimb-Difficult Loves 
Genre: Post Hardcore
FFO: Graf Orlock, Trap Them

Ghostlimb is a Californinan Post Hardcore trio fronted by Justin Smith of Dangers and Graf Orlockfame. Known for their ability to balance both abrasiveness and melody, Ghostlimb’s sound has a far more aggressive punch than most of their genre peers lyrically rooted in history and politics while still maintaining a melodic foundation comparable to acts such as Hot Water Music. Looking for some pissed off punk rock? Listen to Ghostlimb.

Bandcamp: http://vitriolrecords.bandcamp.com/album/difficult-loves
Facebook: n/a
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: n/a
 

Massive Attack-Ritual Spirit EP 
Genre: Trip Hop, Hip Hop
FFO: Portishead, Bjork

While Portishead may take credit for the popularity of “Trip Hop”, Massive Attack had a more piviotal role in pioneering the genre with their 1991 debut Blue Lines. Following up 2010′s Heligoland, Ritual Spirit serves as eighteen minutes of straightforward, dark production featuring verses from Roots Manuva, Azekel, Young Fathers, and a strong comeback from Tricky. This release will leave fans wanting more but serves as a beyond adequate musical snack to tithe fans over until the duo’s next LP.

Bandcamp: n/a
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/massiveattack
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massiveattackofficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassiveAttackUK

 

Say Anything-I Don’t Think It Is 
Genre: Emo, Pop Punk
FFO: Motion City Soundtrack, mewithoutYou, Front Bottoms 

It seems over the years that the more mental and emotional stability Say Anything frontman Max Bemis maintains, the more unsastisfied fans become. We all thirst for a return to the glory days of “..Is A Real Boy” when Mr. Bemis reached rock bottom wallowing in depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and a diagonsed case of bipolar disorder. Since gaining an emotional footing and becoming a born-again family man, the only things Say Anything (or dare I say “The Max Bemis Show”) have managed to contribute to the music world have been empty promises and wasted hype. Suddenly on February 4th, 2016, Bemis decided to tweet: “You know what? We’re gonna stream our whole new record tonight and drop it on Friday. Enjoy.” The complete apathy displayed in both the album art and the previously mentioned tweet paints a vivid portrait of what I Don’t Think It Is truly encapsulates. The latest Say Anything album is a raw, fun, authentic, and all but accessible return to form showing Bemis at his most abrasive to date. If this record wasn’t what the fans wanted, I don’t know what is.

Bandcamp: n/a
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayanything/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayanything/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SayAnythingMuz

 

Seven Sisters of Sleep-  
Ezekial’s Hags 
Genre: Sludge Metal, Doom Metal
FFO: Early Graves, The Secret
 

You can always rely on Seven Sisters of Sleep to create a truly devasting sludge-influenced hardcore record and with Ezekial’s Hags they do just that. The evil-sounding riffs, the pummeling double-kick drumwork, thunderous bass lines, and the agonizingly brutal vocal performance serve as equally pivotal components to a full work of art encompassing the darkest aspects of humankind. Bang your head hard to this new, crushing, doom-ridden epic.

Bandcamp: https://sevensistersofsleep.bandcamp.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sevensistersofsleep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevensistersofsleep/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sevensssisters

Latest List (1/29/16) Basement, Conan, Milk Teeth, and more!

Basement-Promise Everything
Genre: Alternative Rock 
FFO: Jimmy Eat World, Superheaven, Title Fight


Hailing from Ipswich, England, Run For Cover’s star child Basement have returned from their brief slumber with their third LP Promise Everything. The band’s sound treads far more melodic territory this time around with simplified riffs and catchy choruses that may bring early 2000’s alternative rock bands to mind such as Jimmy Eat World or Incubus. While the instrumentation may seem more on writing autopilot this time around, it serves as the ideal backdrop for Andrew Fisher’s fantastic vocal performance appearing to rely more upon expanding the creativity behind his pipes rather than his signature emotional outbursts. Promise Everything is by no means ground-breaking, but it is a solid ten tracks of fun “alt-rock” anthems that will have you reminiscing the days of rushing home from a long day of middle school to have Carson Daly deliver the 411 on the latest in music and pop culture.

Bandcamp: https://runforcoverrecords.bandcamp.com/album/promise-everything
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Basementuk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basementuk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/basementuk 



Black Tusk-Pillars of Ash 
Genre: Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Punk Rock 
FFO: Kylesa, Baroness, Mastadon 

In 2014, Black Tusk’s bassist Jonathan Athon passed away due to injuries inflicted in a horrible motorcycle accident. The future of the band was not necessarily clear, and the two remaining members certainly needed time to mourn the loss of not only their band mate but their dear friend. Pillars of Ashchronicles the final recordings with Athon and these tracks prove to be just as fun, fast, and crushing as you would expect. The fifth LP from the Georgian gentlemen of sludge is a fast-paced punk rock/stoner metal adrenaline rush that refuses to give the listener any resting time. 

Bandcamp: https://blacktusk.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackTusk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcbt/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blacktusk 

Conan-Revengeance
Genre: Sludge Metal, Doom Metal
FFO: Bongripper, Cough

2016 has been an incredible year to fans of sludge metal and it’s still only January! Liverpool, England’s doom trio Conan has arrived to seal the deal with their latest and most hard-hitting LP to date. Revengeance is a monstrous beast that shakes the earth with each thunderous step, sending powerful sonic shock waves guaranteed to violently rip the listener’s face directly off of his or her’s body (metaphorically speaking). The compact, fuzzy riffs and ear-piercing battle cries of Jon Davis blend well with the muddy bass, and earth-shaking drumwork on this mammoth of an LP. Be prepared for a record so heavy that it has its own gravitational pull.

Bandcamp: https://conan-conan.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conandoom/
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hailconan
 

Chthe'ilist-
Le Dernier Crépuscule 
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Convulse, Demilich

With their recent signing to Profound Lore Records, Quebec’s own Chthe'ilist is a band you should be watching very closely if you consider yourself a fan of death metal. Le Dernier Crépuscule serves as the band’s debut LP and what is accomplished in this mammoth of an album is leaps and bounds beyond what most modern acts of the genre manage to accomplish throughout the entirety of their careers. The production is carnivorous, the instrumentation is as deeply rooted in superb musicianship as it is in generating a dark atmosphere, and the vocal performance sounds like a demon called upon from the deepest depths of hell. Chthe’ilist may wear their influences on their sleeves, but their mastery of the death metal art makes them a standout band in 2016. If you are looking for an album as musically impressive as it is horrifying, Le Dernier Crepsuscule just may survive on your year end list.\

Bandcamp: https://profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com/album/le-dernier-cr-puscule
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chtheilist
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: n/a
 

Florist-The Birds Outside Sang
Genre: Indie, Folk
FFO: Told Slant, Kimya Dawson, Bright Eyes

Despite her young age, Emily Sprague’s writing comes across as anything but youthful and jovial. Sprague was struck in a hit-and-run cycling accident a few years back that left her incapable of any movement in her left arm with a very long and slow recovery process ahead of her. These experiences however did overwhelm the young artist with pessimism and grief. The Birds Outside Sangis an ode to the beauty in the mundane things in life that often go unnoticed unless our mortality is compromised. If you are looking for a beautiful “morning album” similar to that of Kimya Dawson or early Bright Eyes, The Birds Outside Sang will help you to appreciate the little things we often overlook.

Bandcamp: https://florist.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floristband/
Instagram: n/a
Twitter: https://twitter.com/emyspraguemusic

Milk Teeth-Vile Child
Genre: Punk Rock, Emo, Indie Rock
FFO: Fucked Up, The Pixies

2016 a good year to be Milk Teeth. With the recent announcement of their upcoming tour supporting Citizen and Turnover coupled with the release of their debut LP, the Bristol-born punk rock four piece appear to have a bright future of promise. Vile Child is a strong debut boasting a refusal to be pigeonholed to any particular genre or style by a young band brimming with youthful energy. Punk, Emo, Post Hardcore, Grunge, and many other influences make their presence known like a revolving door, but are executed smoothly and work well in the context of the album. Milk Teeth’s debut shows a band that hasn’t quite fully found their own musical identity but chooses to rock hard with what they’ve got, and the bold effort truly makes it worthwhile. Be sure to catch these guys open for Citizen and Turnover if you are a fan of either The Pixies or Fucked Up.

Bandcamp: https://milkteethpunx.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milkteethpunx
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkteethpunx
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MILKTEETHPUNX

UXO-Self-Titled
Genre: Noise Rock, Stoner Metal
FFO: Unsane, Today is the Day,
Queens of the Stone Age  

UXO is the new brainchild of both Unsane’s Chris Spencer and Today is the Day’s Steve Austin and it is LOUD. This noise rock/stoner metal supergroup annihilates everything in its path with its rock hard riffage and split vocal duties between each band’s respected frontman that prove to be any noise rock fan’s wet dream. If you are a fan of either Unsane or Today is the Day, UXO is exactly how would expect the two bands to sound combined into one single unit. 

Bandcamp: n/a
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UXOOFFICIAL/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uxoofficial/
Twitter: n/a