Night Court
Humans!
Debt Offensive, Snappy Little Numbers (2023)
What’s the difference between overabundance and starvation? Between drowning and dehydration? Between far too much and not enough? What’s the difference, then, between everyone else and Night Court? A lo-fi punk trio out of Vancouver, Night Court released their third album, Humans!, June 9th on Snappy Little Numbers and Debt Offensive Records. While their sound may have slightly changed since … Read more
Night Court
Nervous Birds! Too
Debt Offensive, Snappy Little Numbers Quality Audio Recordings (2022)
Night Court may have a silly name, but the band feels sincere and (mostly) serious. Rooted in garage-punk, the sounds are familiar in form but each track on this 12-song record gives a different energy. Generally speaking, it’s melodic and positive punk with a lo-fi DIY vibe. There are elements of the old Plan-It-X sound but with a little more … Read more
Night Jobs
Never Happener EP
Independent (2022)
I was introduced to Night Jobs with The Shape of Bummers To Come tape. I liked it overall, but I did feel there was room from growth. I mean, there always is…but I digress. The band is back in 2022 with the new 7”, Never Happener, featuring four new songs. And I do hear that “growth.” Sure, Night Jobs play … Read more
Night Jobs
Shop Dog EP
Independent (2024)
Can a band sound too personal? Too local? These are my burning questions as I break down the latest EP from Night Jobs of Minneapolis. The lyrics of these five songs are highly personal, from adopting pets to local transit routes to calling out people, by name, who have caused strife. They say to write what you know, and Night … Read more
Night Jobs
The Shape of Bummers To Come
Independent (2020)
The world needs more 5-song EPs. Why? Because this is a record, not a single with a b-side. The Shape of Bummers To Come has a united vibe from start to finish and it gives a real feeling of seeing a band instead of feeling like an appetizer.Sticking with that theme a little bit, and perhaps because I miss live … Read more
Nightfreak
Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)
Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more
Nightgaun
Absurdity Of Meaning
Primitive Future (2011)
There are a number of adjectives that would accurately describe Tempe, AZ’s Nightgaun—noisy, filthy, retching, etc.—but perhaps none more fitting than “raw.” Continuing the chiropteran-themed imagery first displayed on their impressive self-titled 7” debut, the cover art for Absurdity of Meaning— a crude depiction of a bat being stabbed through the sternum with a switchblade—provides a strong indication of the … Read more
Nightmarathons
Hidden Vigorish
A-F (2022)
Nightmarathons released Missing Parts back in 2019, but I hadn’t heard anything about the group in some time. On October 26, they surprise released Hidden Vigorish, their second LP. It follows the trajectory of their first album, but this time around I see a little more integration of dual vocals and some post-hardcore elements underneath the surface. And I probably … Read more
Nightmarathons
Missing Parts
A-F (2019)
Nightmarathons are a tough band to pin down. Sure, they fit somewhere under that ever-widening punk umbrella, but it pulls from different areas without fitting neatly into any single substyle. To make a blanket statement, I’d say its heavily influenced by ‘00s punk across the board, with different singers who take the songs in different directions. There’s some first wave … Read more
Nightmare of You
Infomaniac
Brookvale/The Bevonshire Label (2009)
With the release of their self-titled debut in 2005 Nightmare of You made it a point to distance themselves from their post-The Movielife buzz and define their sound as something unique. The band's fusion of cool indie rock, Joy Division-inspired new wave, and Morrissey-like musings created quite a clamor with fans expecting output akin to their roots but everyone else … Read more
Nightrage
A New Disease is Born
Lifeforce (2007)
Allow me to preface my review with the following disclaimer: I am an avid follower of Tomas Lindberg's projects; so, due to his being the band's original screaming vocalist, I have some exposure to Nightrage in their previous albums, 2005's Descent into Chaos and 2003's Sweet Vengeance. They play a variation on the melodic Swedish death metal style popularized by … Read more
Nine Covens
...On The Dawning Of Light
Candlelight (2013)
Nine Covens second release …On The Dawning of Light is a raging follow up to their debut that’s full of extremity and shades of melody alike. The furiously enigmatic group – no names, or indeed, faces – prefer to step back from the spotlight in order to let their music do the talking. Although, if you have a keen ear … Read more
Nine Inch Nails
The Slip
The Null Corporation (2008)
My first ever disclaimer: I like Nine Inch Nails. I thought the little 'Art is Resistance' campaign made for Year Zero (the best album of 2007!) was the most entertaining thing ever. I assault people who mention to me, just in case I hadn't heard about it, that Nine Inch Nails actually covered a Johnny Cash song (although, they must … Read more
Nine Inch Nails
With Teeth
Interscope (2005)
Pretty Hate Machine, The Downward Spiral, The Fragile - you name any of these titles to a Nine Inch Nails fan and they could probably give you a whole host of reasons why it's their favorite album. Then, of course, they'd inundate you with any number of words to describe front man/founder Trent Reznor: Genius, brilliant, twisted, brilliantly twisted genius … Read more
Ninja Gun
Roman Nose
Sabot Productions (2011)
Ninja Gun draws from a lot of sources, playing in the Suburban Home-style market of alt country derived from obtuse punk influences. They tend to eschew chord progressions in favor of soft music and easy articulation built from the steady, honest delivery of their frontman Johnathan Coody. Roman Nose is their latest EP, this one coming from Sabot Productions. Ninja … Read more
Nirvana
Unplugged in New York
Geffen (2007)
At the risk of sounding like a filthy hippie droning on about the sixties and how you had to be there to understand it, the same could pretty much be said for the early nineties. The eighties were discovered to be an insanely vacuous era that by the turn of the decade had started to smell like anything but teen … Read more
Nirvana
With the Lights Out
Geffen (2004)
Shortly after Kurt Cobain's death in 1994, a local college radio station DJ took it upon himself to air an entire show of Nirvana material, much of which was rare b-sides, covers, and demos that had never graced my ears before. Luckily, I was armed with a tape deck and several blank cassettes, and when it was all said and … Read more
Nizlopi
Half These Songs are About You
NOVA (2005)
There's only one place this review can start, and that's with the song "JCB". A delicate, soft pop song with innocent lyrics, drawing on all the heroes and protective influences of childhood. Placid guitars, a relaxed voice and with an air of sitting under the one grey cloud on a sunny day, knowing you can get up, walk ten yards … Read more
