Neil Young and The Promise of the Real
The Visitor
Reprise (2017)
Neil Young releases records at an alarming rate for a septuagenarian. It doesn’t matter, the guy gets a gold pass on whatever he releases. His recent health scare not slowing him down, yet showcasing the mortality we have seen in the recent past with Young’s friends and peers moving on at an alarming rate. Neil Young has walked a frantic … Read more
Neko Case
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Anti (2006)
According to Playboy.com, Neko Case is the "Sexiest Babe of Indie Rock." Fortunately for the listening public, such a lofty title hasn't gone to Miss Case's head. "I'm not out to become Faith Hill," she says. "I never want to play an arena, and I never want to be on the MTV Video Music Awards, much less make a video … Read more
Nekrasov
The Ever-Present
Crucial Blast (2011)
Nekrasov as an artist has made a name for himself over the past few years. Working in a rather limited, hard to define genre (Black Noise) and managing to inadvertently become one of the flagship artists in the current crop of artists in this genre. Black Noise itself is best defined by the over arching characteristics of it. That being … Read more
Nekromantix
Life is a Grave and I Dig It!
Hellcat (2007)
Sometimes a joke can go too far. You know what I mean - like that puny kid at school who you gave a horrible name to so that by the end of year everyone was calling him it and then by the end of the next year he was found hanging in the toilets to stop the abuse. The Nekromantix … Read more
Neon Blonde
Chandeliers in the Savannah
Dim Mak (2005)
When it comes down to it, negative reviews serve one purpose: to invoke laughter from the reader. After reading reviews, bands aren't going to say, "Hey bandmates! Zed from Scene Point Blank said our new album blows chode. Let's have a band meeting under the waterfall in ten and discuss how we're going to please Zed's ears." Actually, with the … Read more
Neon Christ
1984
Southern Lord (2021)
Power Power of Power of Neon Power of Christ Power of Neon Christ Compels You! I cast you out! Your mother darns socks in Hell! Your mother is here. Would you like to leave a message? I’ll see that she gets it! I adorn my Crucifix on my horsehair and lath wall and point the saviors head north but inevitably … Read more
Neon Neon
Stainless Style
Lex (2008)
I might be misjudging my audience here, but you remember the 1980's? By "remember" I don't mean "act them out in a horrible retro manner while not letting on that you were born in 1990." I mean remember. Predator. Commodore 64. Endless Mattel toy lines. The entire decade fucking ruled and if you dare to disagree I cannot be held … Read more
Neon Shudder
Ghost Process
Independent (2015)
Covering much of the same ground as a group like Perturbator, Philadelphia’s neon shudder makes dark electronic music inspired by the world of cyberpunk – a genre of sci-fi that’s often described as “future noir” and includes works like Blade Runner and Shadowrun. Though I didn’t say as much in my review of it, Áine O'Dwyer’s Music for Church Cleaners … Read more
Nero di Marte
Self Titled
Prosthetic (2013)
I'm eternally grateful to a close friend of mine for telling me to check out a little Italian quartet called Nero di Marte. If he hadn't persuaded me that not listening to this album was akin to metal blasphemy, I would never have given them a second thought. So when I purchased this album completely on faith in my friend, … Read more
Neshamah
Communicating in Heartbeats
Witchdoctor (2005)
If you ask me, there's no musical genre more ripe to be picked from the tree of potential and placed into the basket of commercial acceptance than South African Christian Hardcore (SACH). Yes, a bold and untapped market is just waiting for us to shell out our Krugerrands and spread the joys of Jesus. What's that you say? You're not … Read more
Nestter Donuts
Flamenco Trash
Voodoo Rhythm (2022)
It is believed that the first insulin-pumping bloated, exploding vein party pop a balloon tragedy was when The Dutch brought over their oil cakes in the 1700s to North American soil. Thus creating a nation of obese, scooter riding, Walmart-loving, toothless flag-waving donut lovers. Sickly sugary death coma slithering in the puddles of pop-rock misfortune. If it is good enough … Read more
Neurosis
Fires Within Fires
Neurot Recordings (2016)
The experimental and extreme music scenes today would be completely different, probably for the worse, if it was not for the influence that Neurosis have had on numerous bands through the late '90s and early '00s. Starting off as a hardcore punk band in the late '80s, Neurosis went through a perpetual evolution, acquiring additional elements, revealing a plethora of … Read more
Neurosis
Given to the Rising
Neurot Recordings (2007)
This is a Neurosis record through and through. Given to the Rising ultimately destroys any notion that this long running, innovative band are getting soft. Recorded in a very brief six days with long time recording collaborator Steve Albini, this album is an experiment of sorts for the band. Neurosis continues to take steps forward in the evolution of their … Read more
Neurosis
The Eye of Every Storm
Neurot Recordings (2004)
Over the years, and it has been years for them, Neurosis have slowly developed from the melodic death metal juggernaut that graced us with the masterpiece Through Silver in Blood into a post-rock metal hybrid. Despite twenty years of being a band under their belt, Neurosis continues to remain a relevant force in today's music world. The Eye of Every … Read more
Never Enough
Dead Set on Destruction
Organized Crime (2005)
I first heard about this band in the summer of 2003. I was buying a 7" from a band on tour when their merch guy told me about his band, Never Enough. He said they were a cross between Negative Approach and American Nightmare. He gave me a demo CD-R. Never Enough was just the sort of thing I wanted … Read more
Never Looking Back
Fragile Hearts
Detonate (2007)
Here we go again. Once again we have yet another young hardcore band, this time hailing from Tacoma, WA, playing overly sincere emotional overcharged hardcore. If you have heard Modern Life is War, Comeback Kid, or maybe Shai Hulud you get the gist of what Never Looking Back is trying to accomplish. If you can sense my boredom right now, … Read more
Nevermen
Nevermen
Ipecac (2016)
The list of people that Mike Patton has collaborated with over the years is as long as it is diverse. Not so diverse however, that any of the co-conspirators were a surprise, be they Dan the Automator, Melt Banana, Rahzel or untold others.So when the Nevermen album was announced, featuring Patton, Anticon founder Adam ‘Deosone’ Drucker and Tunde Adebimpe from … Read more
New Bruises
Chock Full of Misery
Kiss of Death (2012)
Chock Full of Misery as a title sets a bleak tone for a group best labeled as pop-punk. Yet, New Bruises don’t let the downer subject matter override their energetic and singalong anthems. In song titles past and present, the group has namedropped both Kurt Vonnegut and Johnny Cash—and both are apt examples for New Bruises common tone of frustration, … Read more
