Posted in Music Reviews on December 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kit Burns
Comber/Comber
Given that the latest crop of Smashing Pumpkins was less than smashing, leave it to the kids who were influenced by them to remind them of the oomph they once had. While I don’t think Comber have the mainstream crossover appeal of prime Pumpkins yet (they might not even be aiming for [...]
Posted in Music Reviews on December 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kyrby Raine
The Knockarounds/The Hurt Stays
Given that I’m a huge fan of post-punk icon Siouxsie Sioux, the Knockarounds quickly won me over with “Siouxsie Is My Goth Queen,” a hilariously irreverent homage to the lady herself. The Knockarounds don’t try to ape the classic Siouxsie sound; the band’s infectious punk-pop never strays outside of its [...]
Posted in Music Reviews on December 17, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kyrby Raine
Diano Garcia/Turn It On
There’s certainly no shortage of Afro-Beat artists these days; however, the number of them who are actually writing good songs – the ones that your slightly unhip parents can snap their fingers to – is sadly quite slim. Many of them place an emphasis on style over substance, getting [...]
Posted in Music Reviews on December 15, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kit Burns
The Seeded Planet/Smoking Mirror
The Seeded Planet are among the few new alternative bands that rock with a sense of purpose. Fronted by Iraq War veteran Sans, the Seeded Planet arrive with the heavy artillery immediately on “Nameless,” which has enough crackling, head-banging electric riffs to challenge Metallica in an arm-wrestling match. However, [...]
Posted in Music Reviews on December 15, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kit Burns
Chris Littler/There’s Still Room to Walk
Chris Littler is a folk soul with a punk heart. With his soft, breathy voice, Littler could’ve been making music closer to the spirit of John Mayer. Thankfully, he isn’t. Instead of a chick-charming record smooth enough to win the hearts of sorority girls nationwide, Littler pushes the [...]
Posted in Music Reviews on December 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kit Burns
Sacha Sacket/Lovers & Leaders
Sacha Sacket has a voice that is almost too pretty for radio. Given that much of commercial FM radio is overrun by screaming emos and inarticulate rappers, you have to wonder where Sacket’s place is on terrestrial airspace. Perhaps Sacket’s similarity to U2’s Bono and Coldplay’s Chris Martin will awaken the powers-that-be, showing them [...]
Posted in Music Reviews, tagged alternative rock, indie rock on December 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kit Burns
Bernie Bernie Headflap/Less Like Penguins
Bernie Bernie Headflap: Try saying that a couple times. With a name that’ll surely leave you tongue-tied, Bernie Bernie Headflap (there must be a funny story behind that name) will also rock your socks off with angular guitars a la Modest Mouse and unusual tempo changes and belted [...]
Posted in Music Reviews, tagged alternative rock, Britpop on December 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Mondo Castro
Starsailor/On the Outside
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Their third release sees Starsailor treading the same path where previous albums Love Is Here and Silence Is Easy were conceived. The band’s sound and singer/guitarist James Walsh’s overwrought singing is deeply influenced by the indie-guitar Brit-pop scene of the 90’s even as their [...]
Posted in Music Reviews, tagged alternative rock, psychedelia on December 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kit Burns
Beaten by Yuri/Gerta
With a name like Beaten by Yuri, you realize that there are still interesting ways in which to call your band. Beaten by Yuri? What does it all mean? Who knows? And the same question can be posed to Gerta, Beaten by Yuri’s new record.
Beaten by Yuri is the kind [...]
Posted in Music Reviews, tagged modern rock on December 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Reviewed by Kit Burns
DOTMIG/Sexy-N-Lean
There’s nothing better in chilly, rain-soaked weather than, well, an album that will remind you of the sun-drenched days of summer. Sexy-N-Lean, from the artist known as DOTMIG, functions as the most invigorating alternative to these gloomy times. While the modern-rock airwaves are packed from top to bottom with the black-clad and [...]
