AoTW 6/7:

Been a long time since my last one. I can't call this method Artist of The Week if it's going to take me 3 months to complete!

'Strangers to Ourselves', the 6th album by Modest Mouse. This is supposedly when the band starts to fall off. Listening to this record, I can't help but think that this is a very bitter viewpoint by those too blinded by nostalgia to appreciate growth and change in a band that has never shied away from growth and change. Perhaps this ... read more

bar italia return with 'Some Like It Hot', an album that keeps true to their messy style, but delivers a much cleaner experience.

bar italia have previously shown a real pop sensibility underneath their messy rock, but 'Some Like It Hot' is much more pop-centric than previous offerings. Unfortunately this comes at expensive of some of their more trance inducing like work. There are fewer winding guitar solos, less drowning noise.

It is a record that feels light, but ... read more

Music is ultimately a completely subjective topic. I am however a firm believer of upper and lower bounds in between which this subjectivity lies. There is objectively bad music, that is enjoyed only by those who convince themselves that it is good, be it because of some loyalty to the artist or desire to be in a specific group. And there is objectively good music, music that cannot be dismissed by any listener, any listener who actually takes the time to listen fully, hated only by those who ... read more

In a world of monotony, something truly unique, like nothing else, stands out like a bright light in the dark. Geordie Greep's first (hopefully of many) solo LP, 'The New Sound', does just that.

While holding onto just enough of the dark math-rock that brought black midi so many loyal fans, Geordie Greep gives us an album that delivers on all fronts. Don't be mistaken, this is no black midi album.

When I initially heard the first single from the album, 'Holy, ... read more

AotW 2: 5/7:

By 'We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank', Modest Mouse have almost entirely shaken their art-rock roots. The fuzzy, meandering emo-grit is gone. Instead, we have a folk-rooted pop-rock album, ironically buoyant is feeling. More focus is put on traditional rock instrumentation, acoustic rhythm guitars, drums, and electric leads, perhaps in part due to Johnny Marr (The Smiths) joining the band. It is still sharp, rough, and unpredictable, in the way that Modest Mouse do ... read more

Acknowledging that Dev Lemons is at core a comedian, it is very easy to put that aside when listening to this new project, 'SURFACE TENSION'.

'SURFACE TENSION' is an album I have been long anticipating, as Dev Lemons' singles and EPs have always grabbed my attention. Even as far as her work on QUEEF JERKY, if not always good, the output was at the least, always interesting.

The same goes for Dev Lemons' solo work. While not always good, her fusion of hyper-pop, ... read more

AotW 2: 4/7:

'Good News For People Who Love Bad News' presents Modest Mouse with pop sensibility. Gone are their long, meandering atmospheric tracks. Instead, we have an album with sharp tracks, some that land well, and some that leave you wanting more.

The most stark difference from their first 3 records has to be maturity. The band sounds more confident than ever, and Brock's distinctive insecure voicing is gone. The vocals on this record are full of confidence. Similarly, ... read more

AotW 2: 3/7:

'The Moon & Antarctica', Modest Mouse's first major label record, after signing to Epic Records, shows immense growth from the band, delivering a significantly more polished sound, without betraying the energy and creativity of their earlier records.

There is a significant sonic shift, with layered textures and significantly more production. It's a well polished record, and it is very easy to get lost in. Lyrically, there is a shift from self-loathing and ... read more

'Now Would Be A Good Time', the debut album from Melbourne based trio, 'Folk Bitch Trio' is a promising introduction, but lacks originality.

There is no denying that the music on this album is pretty. But aside from a few standout tracks, the album lacks any substance. There is little on this record that doesn't feel like it could have been a b-side to any Julien Baker or Julia Jacklin record.

The album is strongest in its most instrumental moments. The trio know ... read more

'The Lonesome Crowded West', the second, and breakout album by Modest Mouse brings a rougher, more angsty sound than their moderately rough and angsty debut. There is a bone-deep restlessness, bleeding through each wailed lyric, each unpolished riff.

Recorded with little to no post production, Isaac Brock encouraged leaving accidental riffs and mistakes intact (like that strange dissonance toward the end of 'Truckers Atlas', quite jarring at first), leaving the album ... read more

Artist of the Week 2: 1/7:

'This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About' is an excellent debut album. The beauty of a well made debut is in its lack of restraint, and this album is full of it. The trio let themselves loose, and delivery a tense emo-rock album that manages to hold itself throughout the 1 hour and 14 minutes playtime.

The band draws from a huge array of inspiration, molding genres from post-hardcore to surf rock, the band crafts an idiosyncratic ... read more

On 'DON'T TAP THE GLASS', Tyler, The Creator demonstrates his craft, and the creative summit he has scaled. Tyler has a full grasp of his skill and creativity. In this, a surprise album, his creative vision shifts to making us move, a self proclaimed album to dance to.

And it is groovy enough to draw that out of listeners. With flawless transitions, sharp hooks, and addictive vocals, Tyler doesn't give us anything we haven't heard from him before. He does however ... read more

The debut project by Mike Skinner as The Streets, 'Original Pirate Material' is an album that came to break the rules. In UK music's hangover, caused by the britpop wave, when underground garage music was beginning to bubble, The Streets turned up the heat to a steady boil.

Soaked in beer and brutal honesty, 'Original Pirate Material' showed what British rap music could be, in a time when it was seen as cringe, a mere derivative of the US Hip-hop that dominated the ... read more

Although not as revolutionary as their debut album, 'moisturizer' feels just as important from the Isle of Wight duo, now taking on more of a band sensibility than in their first.

The album starts explosively, with a first half full of energetic punk rockers that will have heads banging for many a year. Unfortunately, the album seriously runs out of steam toward the end. That is not to say there is a large drop in quality (aside from 'pillow talk', which is easily my least ... read more

After the release of their first album, BIG SPECIAL announced themselves as a band to be paid attention to, but, despite being a very thrilling post-punk introduction, 'POST INDUSTRIAL HOME TOWN BLUES' struggled to stand out against the likes of Shame, The Murder Capital, and Yard Act, to name but a few of the titans they are looking to uproot.

On 'NATIONAL AVERAGE.', the duo returns, demanding a place at the table.

Atypical of their contemporaries, who usually boast ... read more

'Lust for Life, Or: How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story', the third album from British post-punk band Courting remains one of the most exciting albums of the year for me.

With a run time of only 25 minutes, the album is short, punchy, and demanding of attention. Front man Sean Murphy-O’Neill described the album as a 'cumulation' of everything Courting has created thus far. While this is a perfect one line description, it fails to ... read more

'Send A Prayer My Way', the collaboration between Julien Baker and TORRES is a record that threatens greatness in individual parts, but by piecing the parts together, seriously misses the mark.

Majority of the songs on the record feel built for something else, say an alternative rock album, and have been stripped down and "countryfied". It feels like a commercial decision, a country album made primarily for the purpose of riding the resurgence wave of country. I understand ... read more

Lorde returns for her fourth album, 'Virgin'. While this is a step up from the previous 'Solar Power', it leaves a lot wanting.

There are many questionable production choices on this record, few of them landing with desired effect. The mixing is peculiar, with some tracks having the instrumentals dominated by Lorde's vocals, and some mixed quite perfectly. Songs like "What Was That" and the other single, "Man Of The Year" sound great, but others ... read more

While their sophomore might not be as lined with hits, ‘Communiqué’ is a very solid album.

Just 9-months after the release of their debut record, Dire Straits returned with much cleaner production, and an album that forces one’s body to move to the beat.

This album is another excellent exercise in guitar, with some of the grooviest riffs in all of classic rock. It is clean, tight and loose simultaneously, and oh so groovy.

The record does risk feeling overstuffed ... read more

Dire Straits come roaring onto the scene with their self-titled debut.

The guitar work is superb, Knopfler’s playing clearly laying the foundation of his future legendary status among guitarists. The way he simply talks with his instrument, the playing comes so naturally to him it feels like an extension of his body.

Their debut is a truly spectacular debut, but unfortunately falls short in memorability and the production (other than the beautiful guitar tones) is, on most tracks, a ... read more