Label: Acerbic Noise Development Released: 2004 Hematovore is what you’d get if really heavy, technical bands scored movies. Untitled is a constantly changing landscape, yet the songs flow together into a single piece of work. The band combines layers of the technical thrash of Prong and difficult to nail down avant-garde experimentalism with the melodic theatrics of Queen and Maiden… Read more »
Label: Full Breach Kicks Released: September 4, 2007 In their prime, Sweet was only about a half step from being the Bay City Rollers, but that half step made all the difference in the world and Sweet remains one of the best of the early glam bands. However, their close proximity to badness is a potential pitfall they pass on… Read more »
Label: Rhino Released: October 2, 2007 The trouble with this four CD box set is that it splits the difference between serious and cursory metal fans, probably only half-pleasing each camp. The serious metal fan is less likely to be interested, but may find a few gems over the course of the four discs. Certainly Tygers of Pan Tang or… Read more »
Houston, TX duo Papermoons is leaving for a short tour tomorrow in support of their debut 7-inch. Released in July on Team Science, the record was pressed on gorgeous blue and orange-splattered vinyl and is limited to 500 copies. The 7-inch also comes with a CD version of the four songs and includes a fifth bonus track. Check out the… Read more »
Radio Moscow is on tour (joined by Witchcraft in November): Radio Moscow tour dates :Oct 13 @ House of Bricks – Des Moines, IowaOct 16 @ Bali Satay – Ames, IowaOct 17 @ The Hurricane – Kansas City MOOct 18 @ Under the Mooch Records (instore) Tulsa, OklahomaOct 18 @ The Continental – Tulsa, OklahomaOct 19 @ Double Wide –… Read more »
It’s gospel day here at Rock and Roll and Meandering Nonsense. If you’re wondering why I’m writing about gospel on a site about rock music, the answer is simple: Gospel rocks! Done well, gospel is as moving as any rock song and it has the same ability to get inside us and carry us away. Also, it affirms my belief… Read more »
Label: Smithsonian Folkways Released: October 9, 2007 I recently read something that said the greatest threat to Christianity isn’t secularization or moral relativism, but lackluster sermons. People want to be moved. They want a conversion experience. Yet, so often ministers fail to deliver that. Gospel music is in a similar boat. So many gospel recordings sound more like R&B for… Read more »
Label: Black Hen Music Released: September 24, 2007 When gospel music is on, there’s almost nothing that can touch it, but when it’s off, it’s an awfully tough listen. When I first read about the Sojourners’ Hold On, I was intrigued. Here was a trio singing traditional gospel in a traditional style rather than the R&B for Jesus that typically… Read more »
Label: Cornerstone RAS Released: February 13, 2007 I once saw an interview with a pro surfer. When asked who was the best surfer in the world, she replied, “The one having the most fun.” Bert Susanka might be the musical embodiment of that surfing ideal. Onward Christian Slater takes the harmonies of the Beach Boys, the down-to-earth grittiness of the… Read more »
If you’re thinking about stealing from Rock and Roll and Meandering Nonsense, please note the new copyright notice at the bottom of the page. If you’re too lazy or busy to scroll down, it reads, “Nothing I’ve written here has any kind of copyright that I could enforce even if I wanted to. If you want to steal from me,… Read more »