Album Review: Verena von Horsten’s Alien Angel Super Death

In her new album Alien Angel Super Death, solo artist and multi-instrumentalist Verena von Horsten tackles the difficult topic of her brother’s suicide.  The ten synth-rock tracks are dark but still strangely catchy — especially for such a depressing topic.  “Fire” and “The Believer” will definitely be stuck in your head. Working out of New York… Continue reading Album Review: Verena von Horsten’s Alien Angel Super Death

Album Review: Talia’s Thugs They Look Like Angels

Thugs They Look Like Angels by French rock trio Talia has some serious 90s nostalgia.  The 2015 album is heavily influenced by grunge bands such as Nirvana and Hole.  Peppy riffs belie dark subject matter, like in the song “American Bride”: Talia opened for Soul Asylum in Los Angeles this summer, and they’ll be opening for… Continue reading Album Review: Talia’s Thugs They Look Like Angels

Review Drive-By: Undercliff and Fallen Asunder

Damn it’s been awhile since I wrote a music review! A couple weeks ago, Middletown doom band Undercliff sent Alternative Control their new album Put Them In to have a listen.  These guys have come a long way since their 2013 demos in terms of recording quality and vocal performance.  Put Them In demands a… Continue reading Review Drive-By: Undercliff and Fallen Asunder

Guy Grogan’s Dynamite Bouquet: It’s Pretty Meta, Brah

With his ninth album Dynamite Bouquet, Guy Grogan serves up a slice of groovy pop rock that harkens back to the good ol’ 90s.   His PR company lists Nirvana as a comparison, but I heard a lot more Weezer in the riffs and vocal harmonies.  The Santa Fe singer/songwriter recorded all parts of the album himself and… Continue reading Guy Grogan’s Dynamite Bouquet: It’s Pretty Meta, Brah

Album Review: Robert Nix’s Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a Blue Moon is Toronto alternative artist Robert Nix’s fifth full-length album.  He describes it as “appealing to the ‘intelligent alternative music fan,’” but in the end I was not intelligent enough for it.  The psychedelic feel changes proved too abrupt and I just couldn’t get into the groove.  That probably wouldn’t bother… Continue reading Album Review: Robert Nix’s Once in a Blue Moon

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