Patrick Higgins
Bachanalia
Telegraph Harp (2015)
Known in his lifetime (1685-1750) primarily as an organist, German-born Johann Sebastian Bach has, in the course of the last three centuries, achieved a status as one of the finest composers to have ever lived. The mathematical precision of Bach’s work is one of its most recognized characteristics, but also an element that provoked a love it or hate it … Read more
Patton Oswalt
Werewolves and Lollipops
Sub Pop (2007)
For the most part, humor is always subjective. Not in this case, however. If Patton Oswalt doesn't make you laugh, then you, my sad little friend are wrong. Dead wrong. So wrong in fact, that I can't even look at you. Go on. Get out of my sight. Go to Target and buy the new Bill Engvall album, you jagoff. … Read more
Paysage d'Hiver
Im Wald
Kunsthall Produktionen (2020)
Im Wald begins on the slow, crunching footsteps of "Im Winterwald," while howling winds build a canopy of sound, offering a vision of how the succeeding time will unfold. That crackling, blanket of snow motif is one that will be familiar to anyone who has spent many a solitary evening with Paysage d'Hiver's - and it sets the tangible scene … Read more
PC Worship
Basement Hysteria
Northern Spy (2015)
There appears to be a quite mysterious aura surrounding the existence of PC Worship. The band itself has left a trail of albums and EPs, within just a small margin of time, navigating through the seas of alternative music. It is a really difficult task to give a description of PC Worship's music. On one hand it contains a lot … Read more
Pearl Jam
Dark Matter
Monkey Wrench, Republic (2024)
When Pearl Jam dropped Gigaton in 2020 - a mere two weeks after the world shut down, there was a lot of fear and uncertainty about what track we were on as a society, and even as a species. We clung to whatever north star could guide us through those dark times. So it really says something that still, four … Read more
Pearl Jam
Gigaton
Republic (2020)
In a culture of such immediate gratification, immediate information, and immediate reaction, seven years is a long time to wait for an album. Seven years in a country that’s seemingly seen more regression than growth can make the wait for relief seem twice as long. The upside is that the relief can also seem twice as invigorating once it arrives. … Read more
Pearl Jam
Lightning Bolt
Republic (2013)
Nobody and I mean NOBODY involved with or familiar with the Seattle scene back in 1991 would have guessed that Pearl Jam would be, with the exception of Puget Sound stalwarts Mudhoney, the last band standing. They were the upstarts, the Johnny-Come-Latelys that took a long time to gain the respect from their peers. After almost all of their peers … Read more
Pears
Go To Prison
Gunner Records (2014)
Naming an album is something of a branding concept. Yes, it’s also artistic, but occasionally those two worlds collide, even if we don’t want to admit it.Go To Prison is fitting for Pears debut. It’s angry and often reflects the tone of a loner lashing (slashing?) out at the system. Then the group choruses come, bringing solidarity to the forefront … Read more
Pears
Green Star
Fat Wreck Chords (2016)
It’s been a while since I thought about the Fat Wreck effect, where a band signs to the San Francisco label and then releases a notably “Fat styled” album. Propagandhi’s How to Clean Everything is the biggest example to come to mind, but it was a thing people talked about in the ‘90s. You know, besides talking about baggy pants, … Read more
Pechblende
Collapse
Indianola (2007)
I very nearly saw this band, in a barn, no less. From the time I saw the flier I was stoked on the show; black and white crass styled font, touring international hardcore bands, and almost certainly couscous or lentils. The show was unfortunately cancelled. I think I had to work anyway. I'm glad I picked up this CD, though. … Read more
Pedro the Lion
Achilles Heel
Jade Tree (2004)
Of all the bands I've liked at one point, I don't think I've received quite as much flack for any as much as I have Pedro the Lion. I've never quite 'gotten' the abhorrence some have felt for the band, as vocalist and lyricist David Bazan seems to teeter just far enough between both gratingly annoying and remarkably above par … Read more
Pee Wee Gaskins
Get Well Soon
Universal Music Indonesia (2022)
To many Indonesian kids who dig into the melodic punk local scene, Pee Wee Gaskins is one name that has gained national popularity through the years. My first introduction to the band was on a social media platform called Myspace. Yes, Myspace had been the band's wheel of fortune for its career phase. Initiated as a solo project by its … Read more
Peeping Tom
Peeping Tom
Ipecac (2006)
It's been a long wait for the debut album of Mike Patton's Peeping Tom project. About six years to be exact, but let's cut him a little slack, it's not like he hasn't been busy. Between Fantômas, Lovage, Tomahawk, various John Zorn or solo projects and now acting, I don't know how the fuck he even finds time to do … Read more
Pelican
Australasia
Hydra Head (2003)
Pelican flirted with my heart earlier this year when they released their self-titled debut. And now with the release of their first full length, Australasia, they have completely taken me. It's been quite some time since a band has been able to garner my attention away from all other happenings in the musical world. They have pieced together a heavy … Read more
Pelican
City of Echoes
Hydra Head (2007)
Yeah, the guys in Pelican are busy dudes. City of Echoes is the band's third full-length and seventh record released since 2001. I admire their work ethic. For those of the initiated, Pelican is an instrumental outfit that tends to get lumped into the "Post"¦" categories (see post-metal, post-rock) along with bands like Isis and their ilk. To be honest, … Read more
Pelican
Ephemeral
Southern Lord (2009)
I'll be honest. I hadn't really listened to Pelican all that much since City of Echoes was released in 2007. In fact, I think I gave that album two or three plays total; since then their discography has seen limited plays. I really have no logical explanation for my lack of listening. I think the "post-metal" craze got overblown and … Read more
Pelican
Forever Becoming
Southern Lord (2013)
It has been about four years since the release of What We All Come to Need, what was in my opinion the only weak moment in Pelican’s career. The Ataraxia/Taraxis EP, released in 2012, gave a first idea of the shape of things to come and now Forever Becoming has finally landed.Pelican was never a band that would stay in … Read more
Pelican
Live in Chicago 06/11/03 DVD
Hydra Head (2005)
2005 sees the now Los Angeles-based label Hydrahead Records embark on yet another new endeavor, this time into the realms of limited edition performance DVDs by artists on their roster. The first is a 21 month-old concert by Pelican, performing several months before the release of their debut album. The show is comprised of four songs, three taken from their … Read more
