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The Slow Death

Born Ugly, Got Worse
Kiss of Death (2011)

When The Soviettes’ Annie Sparrows voice starts Born Ugly, Got Worse devoid of instrumentation, it’s a crisp and honest delivery that complements leader Jesse Thorson’s heart-wrenching style. But once the full band kicks in for the second verse, it’s clear that The Slow Death have driving punk rock at their heart and soul, with as many singalongs and middle-fingers as … Read more

Michael Yonkers with The Blind Shake

Period
S.S. (2011)

Michael Yonkers has a fascinating story: getting dropped by the majors, personal injury, and being rediscovered a generation later. That story has already been told in almost every review I’ve read, though. Instead, let’s talk about the rock. Period marks his third record with Minneapolis trio The Blind Shake, and the two forces offer a full collaboration when they get … Read more

Charts And Maps

Dead Horse
Lost Children (2011)

There is no easy way to define Charts and Maps' sound. My gut reaction is to throw the whole thing under 'math rock,' but that term alone ignores all of the other aspects of their sound. Their proper debut album, Dead Horse, features a diverse array of influences from jazz, progressive music, and even jam bands. Needless to say, it's … Read more

Efrim Menuck

Plays "High Gospel"
Constellation (2011)

Thank goodness I have musical OCD. I likely would not have even known this album existed if not for my compulsion to check and re-check the post-rock section of my local record store with worrisome frequency. Needless to say, after finding out that Godspeed You! Black Emperor and A Silver Mt. Zion guitarist Efrim Manuel Menuck had put out a … Read more

Iroha

End Of An Era
Denovali (2011)

Now this is exactly what I am talking about right here, bands sneaking releases out from under people’s noses in this day an age is a feat worthy of the sneakiest thieves and skilled hackers is a true feat; and while that is just what Iroha did with End Of An Era, the real important accomplishment for the three piece … Read more

Gateway District

Perfect's Gonna Fail
It's Alive (2011)

The Gateway District’s debut, Some Days You Get the Thunder hooked me immediately yet, to this day, I can’t single out a standout track or identify just what about it grabs me. I just like the record. The whole thing, not an iTunes cut here and there, as is wont these days. It’s with similar feelings I find myself listening … Read more

Condominium

Warm Home
Independent (2011)

The title of Twin Cities trio Condominium’s latest is quite misleading. Warm Home is not the record you put on for an evening in front of the fire place with hot chocolate and a novella. This is anything but comforting. Instead, imagine the following scenario: The clock strikes 2AM just as the pot cookie you ate between your first and … Read more

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Self Titled
Sour Mash (2011)

In the past two years there has been some speculation about the Gallagher brothers. Even during their career as Oasis the speculation was there. Many questioned with all of their issues who was the real talent driving the band. Well this is the year that the question gets answered. With the release of This record as well as the Beady … Read more

Panopticon

Social Disservices
Flenser (2011)

Did you ever just get constantly impressed with the evolution that an artist or group of artists make through the progression of their work and craft? Panopticon certainly is making that type of impression on me at this particular juncture as the one man political black metal project drops one of the more politically acerbic records that I have heard … Read more

Doomtree

No Kings
Doomtree (2011)

It’s not hard to find something to say about Doomtree. The 7-headed monster has enough disparate characters that I could fill the proverbial pages here without even addressing No Kings, their second official full-length. The band recently made some internet waves with the mash-up Wugazi project—which is where I’ll start since the opening track, “No Way,” begins with a guitar … Read more

Rome

Die Æsthetik der Herrschaftsfreiheit
Trisol (2011)

Die Æsthetik der Herrschaftsfreiheit. A three disc journey into the hearts and minds of the oppressed. An album that has become more relevant to the happenings of this past year than band founder Jerome Reuter could possibly ever imagine. At it's core, it's a record of struggle and of overcoming the boundaries set by those in positions of power. Could … Read more

Steven Wilson

Grace For Drowning
Kscope (2011)

It's pretty easy to get inside Steven Wilson's head. It's abundantly clear from his works with Porcupine Tree that the man has a fetish for 1970s era progressive rock à la Pink Floyd, Yes and King Crimson. Sure, Porcupine Tree has also picked up influences from modern extreme metal, but nobody can deny that the roots of Steven Wilson's pet … Read more

Jimmy Cliff

Sacred Fire EP
Collective Sounds (2011)

Jimmy Cliff sounds pretty spry for a 63 year-old. The reggae legend is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (whatever that means) and holds England’s esteemed Order of Merit in addition to releasing several notable albums. Cliff hasn’t released a record since 2004’s Black Magic, but this teaser EP for a forthcoming 2012 LP raises the bar. The CD … Read more

Giant Squid

Cenotes
Translation Loss (2011)

Well, that was a short album. At only thirty-five minutes long, doom/sludge metal group Giant Squid have almost halved the runtime of their previous album, The Ichthyologist, for the release of their third studio album, Cenotes.But what does brevity matter, when the music is top quality? This album is every bit as weighty as the giant squi--er, creatures on the … Read more

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