Tim Cohen croons odd pop on Magic Trick and Bad Blood EP

There are few things in this world I hate more than bland solo projects that just sound like a weaker version of the full band (I’m looking at you, Joe Perry Project). Just do something DIFFERENT, you know? So you can imagine my relief when I pressed play on the new material from Fresh &… Continue reading Tim Cohen croons odd pop on Magic Trick and Bad Blood EP

Puro Instinct gets sweet, dreamy, Gaussian on Headbangers in Ecstasy

There’s a filter in Photoshop called Gaussian Blur, and it’s basically a one-stop-shop for enshrouding a photo in a dream-like mist. Although it’s mostly used on pictures of galloping horses and glamor poses, the filter looks like it could have been what made the cover of Headbangers in Ecstasy so dreamy. And given the smooth,… Continue reading Puro Instinct gets sweet, dreamy, Gaussian on Headbangers in Ecstasy

Forget chillwave, Toro Y Moi takes us on a unique journey on Underneath the Pine

We all remember Toro Y Moi, don’t we? No need to reintroduce the moniker of South Carolinian Chazwick Bundick? Who last year was one of the handful of artists branded with the now-infamous “chillwave” classification? Who received critical praise for his debut album Causers of This? Ok, great. Bundick’s second album, Underneath the Pine, released… Continue reading Forget chillwave, Toro Y Moi takes us on a unique journey on Underneath the Pine

Radiohead has their cake and eats it too on The King of Limbs

I can’t even fathom the number of Radiohead reviews that start with: “How do I begin to pen a review on a new album from one of the greatest bands of all time?”. Come on, hyperbole! Yet, here I am, laptop in hand, with a keyboard begging to be mashed…and my thoughts escape me. Yep,… Continue reading Radiohead has their cake and eats it too on The King of Limbs

[The Past Presents] R.E.M. – “Monster”

The Past Presents revisits revered albums from the past 20-25 years to ask the question, “Is this album still a classic, or has it lost its edge over the years?”. Was it a great record for that particular time and place, or is it something we’ll be passing on to our kids? It also looks… Continue reading [The Past Presents] R.E.M. – “Monster”

[Hype Hype Hooray] How Arcade Fire Beat the System to Steal the Industry’s Crown Jewel

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. Music lovers took to the streets of Twitter on… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] How Arcade Fire Beat the System to Steal the Industry’s Crown Jewel

Twilight Singers pour on the pathos with Dynamite Steps

One of the reasons I’m obsessed with The X-Files is Mark Snow’s atmospheric scores. Snow’s ominous presence is at times eerie, haunting, beautiful, tense, and gripping, but just as often, his scores lull the viewer and make a dry 15-minute stretch feel like eternity. Whenever I listen to the Twilight Singers, one of many heralded… Continue reading Twilight Singers pour on the pathos with Dynamite Steps

La Sera merge fuzz pop with ’50s pop on low-key La Sera

Katy Goodman likes to experiment. Musically, I mean (pervert). The bassist and vocalist has gained most notoriety from all-girl fuzz trio Vivian Girls, but she also played in short-lived duo All Saints Day with Cat Power’s Gregg Foreman. Now Goodman is onto something new, and it’s just as dream/fuzz/pop as ever. It’s just what she… Continue reading La Sera merge fuzz pop with ’50s pop on low-key La Sera