EP Review: Trigram (Self-Titled)

LA-based industrial artist Trigram released his debut EP in November 2017, commenting on topics from that range from social media addiction to relationship violence.  In the video for lead single “Assimilate,” people are controlled by their devices in a post-apocalyptic world.  But is that really so far off from the “pre-apocalyptic” world we live in… Continue reading EP Review: Trigram (Self-Titled)

Album Review: Oddnote’s Self-Titled

Nashville rock n rollers Oddnote just released a self-titled album this month, barely half a year after the band’s inception.  Founded by Arman Asadsangabi, Oddnote hearkens back to the vibe of Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Nirvana, with a little Crobot thrown in for good measure.  The album has fourteen tracks in total, but they’re all pretty short… Continue reading Album Review: Oddnote’s Self-Titled

Album Review: Power, by Staring Into Nothing

California trio Staring Into Nothing released their album Power via Antares Records in November 2017, featuring twelve tracks of politically minded, piano-focused prog rock.  The single “Big Brother” shows their penchant for commentary, but the lyrics are a little too “on the nose” for my taste: Opening track “Puritans” was more nuanced and included some nods… Continue reading Album Review: Power, by Staring Into Nothing

Single Review: “Contradict” by E-Fire

Portland, Oregon solo artist E-Fire recently released his debut single, “Contradict.”  The angry electronica offering channels Nine Inch Nails and Korn, painting a noisy soundscape of desperation, angst, and of course contradiction.  Have a listen: Describing his tunes as “music to bang to” on the project’s  Facebook page, this single’s lyrics and atmosphere are certainly… Continue reading Single Review: “Contradict” by E-Fire

EP Review: Michael P. Cullen and The Soul Searchers, Live at Lazybones

Australian singer-songwriter Michael P. Cullen would be right at home at The Fez.  In his July EP, Live at Lazybones, he is backed by The Soul Searchers — and the combination sounds great!  The five brooding alt-rock tunes are the perfect soundtrack to a glass of chardonnay on Friday evening, when you sit back with… Continue reading EP Review: Michael P. Cullen and The Soul Searchers, Live at Lazybones

Dirt Church: The Reformation of Canadian Rockers Groupoem

Groupoem guitarist and songwriter Terry Robinson says in their documentary, “In a way, I don’t think any of us could do anything without each other.”  Do his bandmates agree?  Well, the band originally formed in Toronto in the Eighties, but broke up in 1989.  Bassist Darren Katamay set out to find the rest of the… Continue reading Dirt Church: The Reformation of Canadian Rockers Groupoem

Album Review: Freddie Nelson’s Shake The Cage

The new album from Pittsburgh rocker Freddie Nelson conjures up melancholy of 90s alternative ballads, with a dash of 70s and 80s hard rock guitar leads and vocal stylings.  Shake The Cage was released on July 7th, 2017.  “The record is called Shake The Cage,” says Nelson, “because I feel that a lot of music… Continue reading Album Review: Freddie Nelson’s Shake The Cage