What better way to start my career at Scene Point Blank and as a published writer than by reviewing one of the most important releases of 2012? Probably any other way, really, but I feel compelled to share my take on Kendrick Lamar’s second studio album Good Kid: M.A.A.D. City because of the impact it has made in the short time since its release. Dr. Dre is featured on the track “Compton” and his presence as producer is felt throughout the entire album. Other notable features include Drake (on “Poetic Justice”), other members of Top Dawg, and Lady Gaga; however, Gaga’s version of “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” was dropped from the release in favor of a version done by Lamar alone due to “artistic differences.” Lady Gaga later released the version that included her vocals which can be found in the links below.GKMC is a reflection of Lamar’s own coming of age and growing up in the violent streets of Compton, California. Themes of childish girl-chasing and blunt smoking with “the homies” clash with the harsh realities of gang violence, death, overdose, religious salvation, and loss of innocence throughout the album. Despite heavy themes, the beats are decidedly subtle … Read more
World Narcosis is a relatively new band as this is their debut EP. The band's style relies on a slightly … Read more
Vandalism. You know the feeling you get right before it happens? The moment you grip it in your hand; arm … Read more
There is definitely an incredibly creeped out vibe coming out of my speakers right now, and I mean that in … Read more
It takes approximately 30 seconds to decide whether or not Cheap Girls’ latest album, Giant Orange, is to your liking. … Read more
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I was really into a few folk-bands for a while. But while I enjoy the lo-fi and personable tones, I find a lot of the vocals to be hit/miss. Which, to be honest, is in tune with my feelings on folk too. It’s a genre where voice matters a lot. Some work for me; some don’t. I like Defiance, Ohio a lot. But something about AJJ has never clicked, even if everyone else seems to love ‘em. Who knows what it is, exactly: like any music, taste is subjective. And on that note, I’m going to add Early Riser to a band whose general style I appreciate, but I can’t get into a full-length.This 10-song record covers a lot of ground, often exploring fitting in versus ignoring the haters. It’s … Read more
Al Jourgensen has managed to create a genre early on in his career and according to most has never quite surpassed the classics of the genre he helped to create. In a sense it would be a hard task for anyone to do such a thing. Imagine a 50 something year old man trying to recreate "Thieves" would that be … Read more
The Germ project has been in some form or another for quite some time yet the first record (Wish) from this Tim Yatras production only saw the light of day this year. It’s surprising then, that an EP should follow Wish quite so quickly, yet here we are with the melancholic yet strangely uplifting sounds of Loss on our hands. … Read more
Sneaking an album out to the public regardless of the mass of information that seems to leak (including albums and other music related info) in this day and age seems completely fitting with regards to the first album in over ten years from Godspeed You! Black Emperor and their well communicated anti-corporatist and sometimes luddite-esque demeanor; but instead of such … Read more
Anaal Nathrakh have always been on the very edge of extremity, teetering on the brink of absolute annihilation and destruction. Their sound is imbued with total hatred for mankind, the world and all life and the two-piece push themselves ever further towards the threshold of utter desolation with Vanitas. How two people can make such harsh and deadly sounds between … Read more
Over a decade in the rap game, Vinnie Paz has been a pillar of the independent scene as the front man of Jedi Mind Tricks and Army of the Pharaohs, as well as one half of the duo, along with Ill Bill, known as Heavy Metal Kings. God of the Serengeti is his second solo outing and the highly anticipated … Read more
Much of the press that Pittsburgh-based hardcore act Code Orange Kids garnered with the release of its debut 7” Cycles late in 2011 was centered on the young age of the members. Almost a year later, the band has gone through three pressings of Cycles, signed to Deathwish, Inc., released a split with another rising band - Full Of Hell … Read more
Is this the same band that released Ask Mark Twain? Well, kind of. Dale & the Careeners is the first Grabass Charlestons full-length since 2005, and their first with singer Will Thomas wielding the axe instead of the kit. Really, after giving this record several listens it seems that talking about the band’s earlier releases will mostly put people on … Read more
Not knowing how much in the majority that I am, the passing of Gared O’Donnell’s previous band (Planes Mistaken For Stars for those that were unaware) was a sad occasion in my household as the burly riffing and impassioned performances by that band both live and on record were a huge hit in my household; so when Hawks & Doves … Read more
South Florida's Abiotic join the death metal race as a young band. The band, over a short time, have managed to take their brand of tech-death with shades of metalcore a rather long way in catching the ears of Metal Blade. As a band that is barely two years old one could question their prowess, but that may be a … Read more
The Ergs have suddenly become everyone’s favorite pop-punk and with good reason. They contribute two songs of fun catchy songs about girls that will no doubtingly be stuck in your head for weeks on end. Grabass Charlestons come to me as a bit of a surprise. I was expecting either some cowpunk or Hot Water Music inspired rock, but instead … Read more
It’s hard to know just how much back story/preamble to include when discussing the music of San Franciscan rocker Ty Segall. His career, to date, has been incredibly varied and his ridiculously prolific output includes countless albums, EPs, cassettes, split 45s, etc. To wit, this year alone has seen the release of three full-length albums: one with White Fence (Hair), … Read more
Thank god it's not another concept album.That's perhaps untrue, though: maybe this is just a concept album broken over three separate records: ¡Uno! is the first in a trilogy (wittily to be followed by ¡Dos! and, of course, ¡Tre!). That said, the forty one minutes of this, Green Day's ninth record, don't seem to contain the same kind of forced … Read more
It’s probably impossible not to smile at Masked Intruder’s self-titled debut. Hidden behind a veil of anonymity, the foursome have converged through a myriad of cell bars and prison yards to construct some of the catchiest, colour-coded pop-punk tunes ever written. Between being as violent and delusional as it is hilarious and heartwarming, Masked Intruder successfully pairs the impeccable harmonies … Read more
Formerly known as Whirl this band has been within the emerging hype machine of the shoegaze / Dream pop underground. After a demo and EP that were both well regarded they managed to both change their name, get noticed more, and get signed by psych rock label Tee-Pee Records. Their past EP Distressor contained showed a band with the ability … Read more
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