Akudama returns from hiatus; preps release of new self-titled EP

We’ve had many favorites come through Knox Road over the years, taking enormous pride (even if it’s not ours to take) in seeing great results. So when Akudama, a highly-championed KR band, went on hiatus last year, it stuck a fork in our hearts. The band had other projects (most notably Penguin Prison […]

[Hype Hype Hooray] How Much Influence Does Indie Music Really Have?

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.

This week I got my TIME magazine, […]

Beware and Be Grateful and be happy because Maps & Atlases’ new album is extraordinary

The latest record from Maps & Atlases, Beware and Be Grateful, opens with just the tiniest sample of sound that seems like it could be taken from an episode of Twin Peaks, then fades directly into a song that has the bones of at least three other songs wrapped up in it. This amalgam of sorts is entitled “Old & Gray” and covers the opening throes of love in daydream doodles all the way through the hope of having someone stand by you until you reach the decrepit gray of old age.

Maybe it’s just because I’m in my early twenties trying to figure out life, love and the universe, but it seems to me these questions are woven into this album, and not answered but probed, examined and bemoaned with a care that is inspiring. The quilting of different sounds and marriage of styles contained in this record is outrageous and wonderful. Without fear and without discrimination Maps & Atlases take the best parts of every genre and every sound and mix it into one big beautiful mess. An angular jam of circuitous pop energy and lyrics of ancient innocence and juvenile sin.

Dave Davison’s voice glimmers through the opening song like a guiding light, though it is surrounded on all sides by walls of sound. Beats, pianos, acoustic guitar strums, electronic sounds of all glorious shapes and sizes and a variety of harmonies appear at different points, only to fade into themselves and out again. Oh, and I’m still only talking about the first track.

Maps & Atlases “Old and Gray” by Barsuk Records

Continue reading Beware and Be Grateful and be happy because Maps & Atlases’ new album is extraordinary

Notable Album Release: The Spring Standards – yellow//gold

The Spring Standards have always been a band deserving of more attention. With guy-girl folksy troupes gaining popularity (The Civil Wars, The Head and The Heart, etc.), The Spring Standards are worthy of some recognition. What’s nice is that The Spring Standards aren’t afraid of their poppier side, which we see on “Here […]

[Abby’s Road] My humble apology

So. SO…

I am kind of at a loss for words this week. You see, I am taking this Integration Course required by good ol’ Deutschland for all auslanders. I am kind of up to my ears in Nominative and Dative cases, sentence structure and all of the amazing stuff that makes […]

[MP3] Arc in Round: “Hallowed”

What’s with this thematic time of the year thing being totally off with artists’ releases? A couple days ago we got some new tracks from Wintermitts, and now we’re getting a helluva dark song from Arc in Round called “Hallowed.” This would have been a perfect release on, say, October 31. But noooo, […]

Wintermitts’ OcĂ©ans is in my head and heart

You tricky Wintermitts! Leaving us cold all winter to finally appease us near summer time. Better late than never, though. Wintermitts’ most recent album, OcĂ©ans, technically dropped in late February, but they recently were able to send the songs our way for review.

The bilingual Vancouver sextet thrives on orchestral pop and intense melodies, […]

[MP3] Inspired and the Sleep: “Take Pills (Instructed Bliss)”

Max is bax. Check out his latest single, “Take Pills (Instructed Bliss)” the third off of the forthcoming album, Teenager. It was created, according to Greenhalgh, through “a series of live recorded percussion loops, a drum machine setting from my toy Casio keyboard, flute, uke, and bass.” The single is brought to us […]

Magic City changes name to Sister Crystals

The title says all you need to know. Everything else will be the same!

From Walk-In Records:

As you may or may not know by now, there’s a new show out there called Magic City. I’d love to tell you that the show details the adventures of an amazing band from Chicago but I’d […]

[Hype Hype Hooray] If We Ignore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame It Will Go Away

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.

It happens every year. As the Rock […]