Moving Mountains
Foreword
Independent (2009)
Moving Mountains' Foreword may only be a four-song EP but they bring everything to the table and showcase their full abilities on this brief piece of music. Foreword is roughly thirty-six minutes, which seems to be the perfect length for an album like this, not terribly short but it doesn't drone on too long to the point where it's dull. … Read more
Moving Mountains
Pneuma
Deep Elm (2008)
Let me get this out in the open right off the bat; I wanted to hear this because the band's name is similar to a great album by The Casket Lottery, and there is no shame in saying that at all. However, considering the recent track record of their record label (Deep Elm), there is a slight tinge of worry … Read more
Moving Units
Dangerous Dreams
Palm Pictures (2004)
Moving Units played at last year's Sunset Junction Street Fair, which had an impressive line-up of indie pop and rock bands, including Guided by Voices, Rilo Kiley, and Earlimart. I groaned when I first heard Moving Units' debut Dangerous Dreams, because I anticipated an indie pop or rock band instead of a dance punk band; dance punk, or whatever you … Read more
Mozes and the Firstborn
Dadcore
Burger Records (2019)
Part parody and part homage to guitar music, Dutch four-piece Mozes and the Firstborn have set a new tone with their American-tinged third album Dadcore. The album's name comes from guitar music apparently becoming the preserve of dads, and no longer being popular with teenagers. How true that is is a matter of opinion, but in any case the album … Read more
Mr. Bungle
The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny
Ipecac (2020)
When Mr. Bungle announced their first shows in nearly 20 years last August, fans worldwide rejoiced that their beloved Bungle had finally awoken after laying dormant for almost 20 years.But just like their 3 full-length albums, nothing is ever predictable, and details soon emerged that this would not be the funhouse Mr. Bungle of the self-titled album. Nor would it … Read more
MSTRKRFT
The Looks
Last Gang (2006)
MSTRKRFT (Master Craft, for those of you who - like me - didn't catch on right away) is the brainchild of Death from Above 1979 bassist Jesse F. Keeler and producer Al-P. An electronic two-piece in the same vein as veterans Daft Punk and relative newcomers Hot Chip, the pair first made their name by flexing their mixing muscles on … Read more
Mudhoney
Vanishing Point
Sub Pop (2013)
25 years later, Mudhoney still know how to kick out the jams. Drummer Dan Peters gets the festivities started with a drum-roll, no less and is shortly joined by bassist Guy Maddison and guitarist Steve Turner for "Slipping Away" - a burner of an opener and the perfect song to remind us just how cool these cats are. Let's talk … Read more
Municipal Waste
Electrified Brain
Nuclear Blast (2022)
Professional party metal/thrash crossover ragers Municipal Waste are back with their seventh studio album and what a triumphant return it is too! Their last album Slime And Punishment released back in 2017 (which seems like a really long time ago) was fun but for some reason I was not that into it as I have been with their other stuff. … Read more
Municipal Waste
Hazardous Mutation
Earache (2005)
If you're craving a throwback to the time when thrash metal was at it's height, then look no further than Municipal Waste's Hazardous Mutation. On their Earache Records debut the Richmond, Virginia four-piece deliver the perfect mixture of 80's thrash, crossover, and hardcore/punk. While the result may be nothing more than what some consider 'twenty years too late,' it is … Read more
Municipal Waste
Massive Aggressive
Earache (2009)
Municipal Waste's popularity blew up in 2007 with The Art of Partying, an album with almost every song revolving around drinking, partying, or just having a good time. It was the perfect soundtrack to any frat party but those who are looking for the sequel to that should turn the other way, as their new album, Massive Aggressive sees the … Read more
Municipal Waste
The Art of Partying
Earache (2007)
Municipal Waste likes to party. How do I know this? Well, there's the album title. Couple that with songs like "Beer Pressure," "Born to Party," and "Chemically Altered" and you don't exactly have to be Veronica Mars to connect the dots. It also goes without saying we're not exactly dealing with subtle music open to the interpretation of the listener … Read more
Municipal Waste
The Fatal Feast
Nuclear Blast (2012)
Municipal Waste is a crossover band from Richmond, Virginia who has captivated audiences from all different scenes. Whether you’re into punk, metal, hardcore or any of the diluted sub genres concocted in the past decade, you probably have a vein that’s been pinched by Municipal Waste. “The Fatal Feast” is the 5th Full length release for Municipal Waste but it … Read more
Murder By Death
Big Dark Love
Bloodshot (2015)
Making a career in the arts is hard. The job description lands somewhere between self-expression and entertainment and there isn’t a sure fire way to know whether or not what you’re creating is going to be profitable until well after all the art is done and out in the world for public consumption. Complicating things further is the fact that … Read more
Murder By Death
Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
Bloodshot (2012)
Murder by Death are back with their sixth studio album, and it's their moodiest album yet. It's a stark contrast to their last record, Good Morning, Magpie--returning to, while exploring, more layers of atmospheric tones. With each album(excluding Red of Tooth...), I always found myself needing to give them multiple rounds to fully appreciate what I was listening to--Bitter Drink, … Read more
Murder By Death
In Bocca Al Lupo
East West/Tent Show (2006)
Music is an art, and oftentimes musicians will use their art to tell a story - concept albums have become increasingly popular in recent years. Murder by Death dabbled in this genre with their previous effort, Who Will Survive, And What Will Be Left of Them?. And while they have cast aside the extended storyline from their new full-length, In … Read more
Murder By Death
Red of Tooth and Claw
Vagrant (2008)
With their fourth full-length album, Murder by Death has finally brought all their varying influences together. Each of the band's previous recordings focused on a general indie rock sound, but they also flirted with various musical styles: folk, country, Americana, classical, and post-punk, among others. But with Red of Tooth and Claw all the band's previous flirtations and even some … Read more
Murder By Death
The Other Shore
Bloodshot (2018)
Not many bands can make it eight albums into their career without a single dud. Murder by Death's mainstays, Adam Turla and Sarah Balliet, have spent nearly 2 decades honing their skills as songwriters, and they’ve let their growth lead us out into Space. The Other Shore has Turla returning to more of a long form narrative again. However, it … Read more
Murder By Death
Who Will Survive, And What Will Be Left of Them?
Eyeball (2003)
I'll be honest right off the bat. The first mention I heard of Murder by Death was when they were making their name change from Little Joe Gould. I had yet to hear any music that the band plays, and my initial reaction was that based on namesake it was going to be another one of those emo-metalcore acts that … Read more
