Month: March 2011

The Downer Party

The Downer Party’s name makes sense, I guess. The songs aren’t exactly the happiest stories in the world (downer), but their sounds burst with life (party!). Insightful, right? I know! Thanks. The foursome is based out of San Francisco and is readying a new EP, Cities, set to drop April 1. The album captures the… Continue reading The Downer Party

Nijae Draine

Nijae Draine, singer/songwriter of the indie pop band Crash Collect, recently recorded and released a solo acoustic EP, Spring Cleaning, with six songs all less than 2:30 each. What results is a quick view into a fragile, honest collection of emotions. (It’s also nice that Nina Simone, a similarly soulful artist, comes right after Draine… Continue reading Nijae Draine

[Hype Hype Hooray] Bon Jovi: The (Dumb) Voice of a (Whiny) Generation

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. You know when you start talking to your dad… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] Bon Jovi: The (Dumb) Voice of a (Whiny) Generation

[MP3] Collider: “Mono”

Collider, the San Fransisco crew I’ve talked up a few times here, is releasing a digital single series in 2011 and decided to start in March (probably because it’s my birthday month) with Mono. If the first release is indicative of the entire series, all singles will be free to download from Collider’s Bandcamp. They’ll… Continue reading [MP3] Collider: “Mono”

New eskimeaux

Welcome back, me! Sorry I’ve been gone a while on *gulp* “real-life” work. I hate doing this (repeating earlier posts), but I feel I have no other option in this situation, as I’ve learned little else from eskimeaux. Except that Gabby and I have kept up a friendly email correspondence, even if I learn nothing!… Continue reading New eskimeaux

[Stars on C-30] Plustapes and Treetop Sorbet

Tape labels are abundant these days, as are new cassette releases, and Stars on C-30 includes reviews of some of these releases, the occasional band or label profile, and a look at the culture surrounding cassettes. In any musical genre there are quiet leaders, bands who help define a sound but never become the “it”… Continue reading [Stars on C-30] Plustapes and Treetop Sorbet

J. Mascis dips pen into folky ink for Several Shades of Why

One of America’s most magnificent warblers has tripped me up a little. Best known for gems like “Tarpit” and “Severed Lips,” excessive feedback and distortion, Mascis has released what can only be described as a folk record in Several Shades of Why (Sub Pop). With nary a drum in earshot (tambourine is the only percussion),… Continue reading J. Mascis dips pen into folky ink for Several Shades of Why

Wye Oak kicks it up a notch, but keeps things very Wye Oak on Civilian

I thought Wye Oak was a folk band? I mean, they’ve been described as “indie folk-rock,” I suppose, but what’s this I hear on their latest full-length, Civilian? Heavy guitars? Crashing drums? Moments of intense emotion? Sounds a little bit like rock and or roll to me. Ohhhh but that’s not to say the band… Continue reading Wye Oak kicks it up a notch, but keeps things very Wye Oak on Civilian

Kurt Vile strikes perfect balance on Smoke Ring for My Halo

What’s that saying? “Life is full of regrets, so eat your chocolates now?” (Close enough.) Well, my latest regret is not buying tons of stock in Kurt Vile. For three years, I’ve known about – and heard constant praise of – Philadelphia’s psych-folk rising star, yet I’ve skipped a half dozen of his shows and… Continue reading Kurt Vile strikes perfect balance on Smoke Ring for My Halo