After a three-year emersion in all things indie rock, I kicked off 2009 by jumping back into music of my youth. While I don’t see myself becoming one of those middle aged adults that clings exclusively to music released before their thirtieth birthday, I’ve had the realization that I’ll never care for BON IVER or [...]

One of MINUS THE BEAR’s greatest strengths has always been their ability to refine their sound and innovate with each new release. While Acoustics consists of six previously released songs (and one disposable new song called “Guns and Ammo”), the acoustic interpretations shed a fresh new light on familiar songs. MINUS THE BEAR have largely [...]

British band THE JOY FORMIDABLE released their debut album, A Balloon Called Moaning, last month as a free download on the website of the British music magazine, NME. I’ve unfortunately lollygagged in posting this and the free album download has been taken down. It is an interesting move for sure, release the album for free to stoke conversation and then pull it back. Unfortunately it isn’t on iTunes or eMusic so I’m not quite sure how people are supposed to get the album now that the conversation has been started. Bit Torrent? Anywho, this is a playful video for the song “Cradle”. Also make sure to check out their MySpace to hear the song “Whirring”. P.S. The irony of this video being posted after a YEAH YEAH YEAHS video is not lost on me as I’ve described the album as an album based on the YYY’s song “Maps.”

Although they’re routinely lumped in with bands serving up second hand helpings of emo dreck, UNDEROATH are an ever-evolving band constantly pushing the limits of who they are. Even though Define The Great Line is undoubtedly their pièce de résistance, Lost In The Sound Of Separation is a meaningful addition to their catalog. Separation delves [...]

Working in an office, countless custom Pandora stations and an EMUSIC.COM account made 2008 a year of non-stop music. 2008 also marks the first year that my music purchases went all digital. As a result of I ended up spending more money on music then I probably had in the past two years. 10. FOALS [...]

What a strange year, 365 days of music and I couldn’t even come up with a list of my ten favorite albums of the year. Yes, there were plenty of records I enjoyed, but the albums on a best of list should stand the test of time and not include albums that enjoyed a two [...]

Connecticut’s AMBITIONS are one of hardcore’s most active and inviting bands. With a bulk of the group spending time in the well-known act WITH HONOR, these guys are seasoned vets looking to make a new run at things. Positive, thoroughly developed lyrics crash into mostly breakneck rhythms and sinewy bass lines. Lead singer Jay Aust’s [...]

October 31, 2006 was Tuesday of Terror at Victory Records. The label unleashed five new albums on a single day, and while AIDEN, FOUR LETTER LIE, SCARS OF TOMORROW and ENDWELL all layered some kind of pseudo-dark lyrics over par-the-course Victory instrumentals there was band that remained quietly under the radar. While the lyrical content [...]