The Hives will forever have a special place in my heart as a band that defined my early adolescence, and Veni Vidi Vicious is a perfect example of why they had such a hold over me. This project is fast-paced, fun, and full of iconic tracks. These guys get roped in with the slew of early oughts garage rock bands often, but I truly believe that The Hives are a band that set themselves apart from the pack by being a sort of proto-pop-punk band that oozes with attitude.
While I think the themes on this album are important to vocalize and put on wax, the manner in which STOMACH BOOK executes it on GOODNIGHT HYPNOPOMP comes off as grating and, at times, just flat-out annoying. I understand why people like this, but it's not for me.
"Flash in the Pan" and "Dream Sequence" are the only two songs worth returning to in my opinion (they're SO peak). Everything else is forgettable at best and just not good, at least by Jane's standards, at worst. Even the goat can stumble, it seems.
Listen to "in the dark" by venturing if you liked this, though.
On this project, brakence confirms his prowess as a producer and as a lyricist to a lesser extent. While the writing can be corny and "woe is me" at times, the production and flows are so infectious that you can kinda ignore it.
How To: Friend, Love, Freefall is a really charming alt rock project that is home to some of the few standout tracks of a largely bland and overly-commercialized genre. Everything has such a tight mix and this slightly psychedelic tinge to it that makes it sound fresh on every listen. Not to mention some of the absolute earworms (complimentary) on this track like "It's Called: Freefall," "Painkillers," "Fever Pitch," and "When It Lands." While there ... read more
I never really took this band seriously growing up, but Quebec has changed that for me. While some of Ween's avant garde tendencies do put me off a bit at times, like on "So Many People In The Neighborhood" and "The F**ked Jam," most of the time it leaves me excited for what's next. Songs like "Transdermal Celebration," "I Don't Want It," and "The Argus" are truly fantastic songs that in and of themselves would make me want to ... read more
Eggbeater Jesus is an incredibly hopeless, jaded, and desolate release from Huntsville, Alabama's Camping In Alaska. This album shares tales of drug abuse, homelessness, and mental instability through the stripped back electric guitars and gritty vocals that are found in the band's other releases. Songs like "Irreparable/Irreversable," "Turncoat," and "Comeback Kid" truly feel raw, desperate, and as if everything is falling apart. The title track, ... read more
On Just One Of Those Things, Nat "King" Cole croons his way through some pretty standard 50s heartbreak fare, but does so in a way that feels fresh and sets him apart from other big band crooners of the era. Songs like A Cottage For Sale and The Party's Over are truly fantastic songs that capture this feeling. Furthermore, I simply cannot get enough of Cole's voice; it's so silky smooth and so very iconic. However, some songs do feel formulaic and repetitive. Would ... read more
Harmlessness is an ambitious transition to a more progressive style from the then emo band TWIABP, and it absolutely sticks the landing. This entire album feels like being a kid again and obviously longs for that childlike wonder in its lyrics. If anything, please listen to "I Can Be Afraid Of Anything." Easily one of my favorite albums of all time.
clust.r's debut album ever chance has fantastic glitchcore production throughout, but the chronically online lyrics and shaky vocals can be rather grating at times. On songs like "steam," "us pretenders," and "ever to part," the nervous-sounding vocals actually add to the track's intended damaged sound, but other times, like on "morning trust," it just leaves you waiting for the song to be over. I would rate this lower if the highs on this album ... read more
Was a great little local hardcore band, but the vocalist just HAD to be problematic. Still, I think this project is really quite good aside from some cringey lyrics in the latter half of the album.
The Hotelier's sophomore album Home, Like Noplace Is There holds a dear place in my heart and is one of the few albums I consider to be perfect. I have been lucky enough to listen to this album performed in full live, and hearing a thousand people shout "Fuck!" simultaneously at the climax of An Introduction to the Album gave me chills like nothing I've ever felt before. This album grapples with loss and mental health incredibly maturely considering the age of the band ... read more
Great early hip hop album with fantastic sampling, infectious vocal hooks, and witty lyrics.
8485's Personal Protocol is a fun light DnB listen with some minor lulls in energy at points in the album. There are absolutely some highlights in "Scribbles" and "COOL_DNB_SONG" where 8485's entrancing vocals and skilled production really shines. Definitely worth a listen, but not for everyone.
The Hum Goes On Forever is a pretty good album from a legendary pop-punk outfit that is far more mature than their previous projects, dealing with topics such as parenthood, mundane life, and watching your loved ones grow apart. While at times the writing can feel a little lazy and cliche, there are some truly fantastic songs here like "Low Tide," "You're The Reason I Don't Want The World to End," and "Laura & the Beehive" that remind you why people ... read more
In Ghostholding, venturing (also known as Jane Remover) digs into the shoegaze-y sound introduced in Census Designated, but ends up falling short of living up to the mystique of that project. Songs tend to be a little dull and half baked, but there are definitely some gems that keep me coming back on occasion like "Recoil" and "Sick / relapse."
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