The final review I wrote for Spectrum Culture: Chromeo’s superb new album Head Over Heels.
It’s as good as White Women, but without the lofty ambition. Just a buncha great songs.
Category: album review
Hundred Word Reviews: Deafheaven | ‘Ordinary Corrupt Human Love’
In which the most divisive band in metal makes a record that will be divisive among its defenders. Their least metal offering, OCHL largely augments their blackgaze aesthetic with classic rock and piano balladering. Kerry McCoy wisely opts for sunset-purple watercoloring and arena-ready solos to augment George Clarke’s most impressionistic set of lyrics to date (“I have wondered about the language of flowers/ And you, elaborate mosaic, greeting me”). As a result, it’s (unsurprisingly) expertly paced and Deafheaven’s most emotional release. Is it happy? Rock? Black metal? None of that matters when an album is this fucking beautiful.
Album Review: Orange Goblin | ‘The Wolf Bites Back’
I wrote about the new Orange Goblin album for Spectrum Culture.
If you like stoner rock, you’ll enjoy this. It’s not their best record, but it’s a lotta fun regardless.
Hundred Word Reviews: Split Cranium | ‘I’m The Devil and I’m OK’
In which members of burly acts like Sumac, Old Man Gloom, and Converge come together to make burly hardcore. Imagine if Mammoth Grinder’s music was playful and the arrangements were influenced by mescaline, and you’re close. Elements of surf, d-beat, post-punk, and ambient permeate galloping (and catchy) compositions and make them more fun (and more interesting) than standard death-punk, while Aaron Turner attempts to cut through the din with his belch-bark. It’s a silly album title (with a sillier cover), yes. It’s also a lotta fucking fun.
Album Review: Palm Reader | ‘Braille’
I wrote about the UK hardcore band’s disappointing new record, which is an abrupt change from their previous work.
“Swarm,” the opening song on the album, is one helluva killer single, though.
Album Review : Black Wizard | ‘Livin’ Oblivion’
Wrote about the fun-as-hell new record from Black Wizard.
If you like your stoner rock and you like thrash, you’ll wanna check this out.
Album Review: Myles Kennedy | ‘Year of the Tiger’
Wrote some words on Myles Kennedy’s debut solo album over at Spectrum Culture.
It’s a solid singer-songwriter record if you can ignore the MTV Unplugged feel of it.
Album Review: Insect Ark | ‘Marrow Hymns’
I wrote about the new Insect Ark record, which is very good.
If you like dark drone music, check it out.
Album Review: Teenage Wrist | ‘Chrome Neon Jesus’
I wrote about the debut LP from Teenage Wrist over at Best Fit. It’s easily my favorite album of 2018 so far. If you like Siamese Dream, check this out.
A behind-the-scenes note on this piece. I set up two rules for myself: 1.) No mentioning other bands in describing what TW does, and 2.) No song titles.
Album Review: Good Tiger | ‘We Will All Be Gone’
Over at SC, I wrote about the great new record from Good Tiger, the non-metal band on Metal Blade Records.
Think Protest the Hero if they were a straightforward rock band and you’re in the area.