Album Review: Brown (8×3), by The Sawtelles

By Jeff McCarthy The Sawtelles are one of Connecticut’s most prolific bands, with 13 self-released albums as well as a few on D.I.Y labels.  The husband/wife act performs on a variety of instruments — banjos, ukuleles, guitar, and drums — and are just not exclusively limited to any one instrument. The Plantsville-based band just put out yet… Continue reading Album Review: Brown (8×3), by The Sawtelles

Interview: Norwalk’s RabbitHouse Records

New to the scene with ambitious plans for the future, Norwalk, Connecticut’s RabbitHouse Records seeks to “create one cohesive collective of artists” within their local community.  Last week, Alternative Control sat down at Seaside Tavern in Stamford with staffers Chris Yerinides, John Ospina, and Megan Napoletano to talk about about what the young label is up… Continue reading Interview: Norwalk’s RabbitHouse Records

Angela Burns Isn’t Here to Make You Feel Better

Influenced by grunge and pop-punk, 21-year-old Texas native Angela Burns has put together an eight-track “mixtape,” So You Can Feel Better, that sounds like the beginning of something promising.  “I’m calling it a mixtape,” Burns said on Facebook, “because production-wise, it was such a learning experience. This is my first effort, and I’m proud of it!” Incorporating… Continue reading Angela Burns Isn’t Here to Make You Feel Better

EP Review: Bad Reed (Self-Titled)

Bad Reed -- photo by Erin Girard.

Canadian rockers Bad Reed released their three-song EP in June of last year and it’s beginning to make its way down to the States.  “Slackjaw Romance” is the standout track.  The delicate intro gives way to an irreverent ballad about unhappy love.  Its refrain, “All I want is a pack of cigarettes / And a… Continue reading EP Review: Bad Reed (Self-Titled)

Album Review: Ransom Scenery’s ear to ear

Truly. Unique. These are the best words that come to mind when I listen to the compilation of sounds emerging from the talent that is Ransom Scenery. Born of Springfield, Illinois the band’s wide array of musical integration becomes the movement of avant garde music. Their new album ear to ear was released February 25th,… Continue reading Album Review: Ransom Scenery’s ear to ear

EP Review: Grumsling’s A Church, On a Boat, In the Sea

One of the tags on Grumsling’s bandcamp is “new classic” — and in this case, it’s accurate.  The Oakland indie rock quartet have a Weezer-meets-Grateful-Dead vibe that I’ve never heard before, and I’m intrigued.  A Church, On a Boat, In the Sea, released in March 2015, tells the story of a trickster named (unsurprisingly) The Grumsling.  He… Continue reading EP Review: Grumsling’s A Church, On a Boat, In the Sea

Album Review: The Vigilance Committee’s Exit a Hero

With their new album Exit a Hero, The Vigilance Committee delivers upbeat progressive rock that will have listeners tapping their toes.  Imagine if the Beatles went forward in time to collaborate with Mars Volta: that’s the unique sound that this Long Island quartet brings to the table. “Set the Pacific on Fire” demonstrates the band’s… Continue reading Album Review: The Vigilance Committee’s Exit a Hero