Flagpolers
Arse Ways EP
Self Released (2014)
Sometimes the RIYL doesn’t lie. When Vancouver punks Flagpolers list Tiltwheel as an influence, it comes across clearly on the four song EP Arse Ways. The songs are built in that Davey Tiltwheel guitar style and then the lyrics are pelted atop in a gruff and staggering delivery. It’s rough hewn, coarse, and alternately beautiful—a fitting tribute to the aforementioned … Read more
Gholas
Загадка
Self Released (2010)
Post Metal is a pretty loaded genre tag. Most people (myself included) find it misleading. The idea relies on the idea that more effects on your guitars and a sense of dynamics and ambience equal being less than metal. Gholas are a band that seem to fit in this general idea of a genre. They play with a sense of … Read more
In The Whale
Nate & Eric
Self Released (2014)
In The Whale's Nate & Eric promises a look at the seedier side of Colorado. Combining two EPs written by the duo, Nate & Eric is a brazen, unfiltered balls-to-the-wall rock record. On "Robert Johnson", a song about the eponymous jazz musician who purportedly made a deal with the devil, clattering feedback and wailing guitars are matched with cries of … Read more
Jet Black
Escape Measures
Self Released (2011)
There has been a resurgence over the past few years of Shoegaze style rock. While many of the more known bands of this style tend to mix it with other genres at this point (Alcest mixing black metal or Ringo Deathstar with some electronic music). Needless to say most bands take what is useful to them from the genre and … Read more
Lasting Impression
301.9
Self Released (2012)
Hardcore really isn’t my thing. Still, every once and a while I like to break out of my comfort zone with something different. Lasting Impression, hailing from LaCrosse, WI, refer to themselves as “high energy hardcore.” There are a number of scenes or bands that could be name-dropped, but sticking with the basics as they do seems a solid approach. … Read more
Moñecho
Past Waters/Fever Lives
Self Released (2015)
In a past life – OK, like eight years ago - I found myself working at a furniture factory in small town Pennsylvania. While I've found worse methods of employment from time to time, this job was, to put it mildly, not an ideal use of my time and talents, revolving around strenuous manual labor and a generally mind-numbing work … Read more
Planning For Burial
Late Twenties Blues
Self Released (2011)
Alright laugh all you want at my horrid addictions, but until you plunge into Late Twenties Blues yourself, you will not have the faintest idea why this tape is on its fourteenth spin already today in my tape deck (not kidding, I am going to have to get another copy as a backup for this in case I completely wear … Read more
The City and Skyway
Everything Looks Worse In Black And White
Self Released (2009)
Being an objective reviewer, I will try and ignore the grossly overboard hyperbole contained in their press sheet. But this is fairly serviceable post-emo rock release from the mid-west. The guitars have flashes of hooks here and there throughout this record. The lyrics seem to have a very focused target on doctors, drugs, and the lack of healing in this … Read more
The Izzys
Keep Your Powder Dry
Self Released (2010)
Digital release available for free off their website. But don't consider this a throw-away. This Brooklyn trio offers up free-wheelin' rock and roll songs that will feel good with a cold Busch in your hand and a breeze blowing your hair back. "Under The Sun" kicks things off with a shuffling backbeat and things only perk up from there. 'Lost … Read more
