I saw Thrice at The Rave recently. It was a solid show, and the two openers, Teenage Wrist and The Bronx, were good as well. See any of them if you get the chance. (Also, I wrote about TW’s splendid debut LP when it came out earlier this year.)
Album Review: Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers | ‘Bought To Rot’
Really, really enjoyed Laura Jane Grace’s solo debut record. I wrote about it for Best Fit.
Album Review: The Primals | ‘All Love Is True Love’
I scribbled a few words about The Primals’ debut album for Best Fit.
It’s good, not great. If you like Mudhoney and the Toadies, you’ll like this.
Column: The Offspring’s ‘Americana’ Turns 20
My last column for Spectrum Culture was a retrospective on The Offspring’s Americana, a record that was a big part of my middle school years.
Some of it hasn’t aged well, but I still think “The Kids Aren’t Alright” is a great single.
Album Review: Chromeo | ‘Head Over Heels’
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.
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.
Alice In Chains | “The One You Know”
Sludgy riffing, ear-worm chorus, wah-wah solo.
Yup, sounds like AIC.