Label: Five One Released: September 11, 2007 Awake and Alert’s music centers around Maya Peart’s voice. She has great range and movement and is as dynamic and smooth as a jazz vocalist, but at the same time, her voice is down to earth as if she’s singing right to you. Unlike many gifted singers, she also trusts her voice enough… Read more »
Label: self-released Released: 2007 Papertrigger’s Riot Lovers EP is an odd pop record that does more than just dabble in cabaret music. It is dense and often organ-dominated with jazzy rhythms and a dark, seedy undercurrent. While they play it loose and perhaps even a bit sloppy, the album shows their innate sense of being a band instead of a… Read more »
Label: Viva Hate Records Released: September 21, 2007 When dealing with any of the post-this-or-that sub-genres, you’re almost always going to have music that is a challenge to even the most patient ear and largely inaccessible to most everyone else. There are, of course, exceptions and Long Distance Calling is one of them. Their strong layered approach can be spellbinding… Read more »
Label: Metal Heaven Released: October 26, 2007 Time changes some things, but not all. This is certainly true of Steve Grimmett. The music hasn’t taken any great strides, but time has tempered his once distinctive voice. Other than an occasional hint of modern metal (and I do mean hint), Personal Crisis doesn’t explore any new territory. It is a fine… Read more »
A charitable auction, benefiting The Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation, launches on eBay today at 3pm PST. The auction lot includes the Beatles’ Help! flag, bearing the classic artwork of The Beatles’ 1965 movie, a luxurious trip for two to London, England and a deluxe, limited edition Help! DVD boxed set. Beatles fans around the world can place bids now until… Read more »
Label: Red Leader Records Released: October (?), 2007 One of the best recent trends in punk rock is the burgeoning punk/folk (or punk/roots or punk/country) movement. While this may seem to have its roots in bands like Uncle Tupelo and the Violent Femmes, that’s only partially true. Bands like This Bike is a Pipe Bomb and the amazing though little… Read more »
Just based on the strength of their 7″, I thought Pocus Whiteface would make a fine interview. Since they’re across the ocean, we did this one via email, but each member got his two cents in. RnRnMN: Many of the bands that you list as influences fall into the post-punk genre and I can definitely hear that in your sound…. Read more »
Label: Vacuous Pop Recordings Released: October 29, 2007 This two song limited edition white vinyl 7″ features two songs that straddle post-punk and indie pop. “You Are Wrong” contrasts quick rhythms and grating guitar with the low-key melancholy of indie pop vocals. At times, it has shades of Joy Division, but doesn’t fully tap into the cold emotion that characterized… Read more »
Irritant are an up and coming metal band from the UK. For their age (late teens/early 20s), they’re amazing players. They’ve already come to the attention of some big names (Bruce Dickinson for one) and things are looking up for them. Bassist/vocalist Niall answered a few questions for me about the band’s past, present and future. RnRnMN: You’re all in… Read more »
Download Ryan’s new album for FREE here. It’s different…in a good way. Seriously, it’s not going to be everyone’s thing, but based on what I’ve heard, he could take a lot of people by surprise. A review will be coming soon.