Pink Razors
Waiting to Wash Up
Robotic Empire (2006)
Do you remember when pop-punk wasn't sung by guys with swooping black'n bleached haircuts wearing button-up shirts and girl pants? Do you remember when pop-punk didn't have over-produced, mirror-polished, fake-as-hell vocals? Remember when pop-punk had some attitude? Yes, I also remember Screeching Weasel, and more recently, Dillinger Four. Now here's another band that gets it right. Pink Razors are a … Read more
Pinkish Black
Razed To The Ground
Century Media (2013)
Last year's self titled record from Pinkish Black was a distinctly (un)pleasant surprise from a duo that have been making music together for a substantial length of time. Pinkish Black took the critical world by storm with their debut and the record was, quite rightly, considered a breath of fresh air within the darker confines of the musical spectrum. Pinkish … Read more
Pinkish Black
Self Titled
Handmade Birds (2012)
Texan duo Pinkish Black employ synthesised loops of terrifying, droning pulses and a deliciously dangerous swagger filters through this debut. Daron Beck’s clouded voice dips in and out of throbbing electronic beats whilst currents of perilous doom cut through the loaded atmosphere, Beck’s voice often hidden in the murky depths of the all consuming sounds layered by cohort Jon Teague … Read more
Pinned In Place
Ghostwritten By
Razorcake (2016)
One (of many) differences between indie rock and punk is generally the sense of humor as it relates to self-awareness. Considering that other reviews namedrop Built to Spill frequently in the RIYL section for Pinned in Place, it’s a nice touch to start the record with the song “Built to Chill.” It’s both self-referential and a sweet name that describes … Read more
Pinned In Place
Rubbernecking at the Gates of Hell
Reflective Tapes (2018)
I’ve been debating how to describe this one for a while. Pinned in Place aren’t exactly happy campers, but compared to most of what I’ve been reviewing lately their music feels downright optimistic with the sunny guitar lines and harmonies that define their sound. That said, the record is named Rubbernecking at the Gates of Hell for a reason.The opening … Read more
Pirate
Left Of Mind
Bird's Robes (2011)
How on Earth do you achieve a goal as lofty and vaguely-defined as “to break out of the norm and push boundaries?” Well, Sydney-based progressive four-piece Pirate aimed to find out with their 2011 debut EP, Left of Mind, which was created with that exact goal in mind. Whether or not they actually succeeded is a different case entirely.I'll admit, … Read more
Pissed Jeans
Honeys
Sub Pop (2013)
I enjoyed King of Jeans. It wasn’t great and it didn’t break much ground, but it was a solid play that I still throw on from time to time. What I find peculiar with its follow-up, Honeys, is that I don’t find myself thinking back to the last record often. Instead I mostly think about how I should be listening … Read more
Pitch & Bark
Two EPs: Nowhere Near Ohio & Father Hoxy
Bernlore Records (2020)
Elegant desert-shoe-gaze-rock from Santa Fe, New Mexico FFO Pigrow, Storming The Beaches With Logos In Hand and Father John Misty. The landscapes and artistry of Santa Fe, New Mexico comes through well on this older “post rock” cassette. The region’s Kokopelli imagery is a reminder to celebrate fertile land and the gift of life. Pitch & Bark seem to lock … Read more
Pity Party
Concrete
Independent (2020)
Hello 1990s. Pity Party, from Oakland, play fuzzed out drudgy punk. While most press I read about calls the band pop-punk and even emo, I’d put them a less crisp category. DIY indie-punk, maybe? But with some harsher sounds that parlay a little more anger and anguish. Grunge doesn’t feel quite right, but close. I hate to drop the Riot … Read more
Pixies
Head Carrier
Pixies Music (2016)
When the Pixies released 2014's Indie Cindy, it was their first release in the band's history to not include Bassist/Vocalist Kim Deal. It was evident, very evident that without her, it was going to be an uphill climb. Deal's immediate replacement came in the form of Kim Shattuck, formerly of The Muffs. While a very capable musician and vocalist, it … Read more
Pixies
Indie Cindy
Pixies Music (2014)
Indie Cindy is the first new Pixies full-length since 1991 (Trompe le Monde). After the band reunited a few years back for the tour circuit the rumors of new material started to flow, the band continued to tour, and nothing came out. Eventually, shortly after the departure of original bassist Kim Deal (The Breeders), the band put out three EPs … Read more
PJ Harvey
Let England Shake
Vagrant/Island (2011)
I got into a discussion with someone recently over the validity of this latest release from Polly Jean Harvey. They seemed almost offended that PJ would use the overall theme of war in writing her new release as if it were some sort of parlor trick to try and make “important music”. I argued that Roger Waters has built an … Read more
PJ Harvey
White Chalk
Island (2007)
Beginning with her 1992 debut album Dry, much has been made of Polly Jean Harvey seemingly reinventing herself with every release that followed. For anyone else, this would be a gimmick, a hook - thus making the work less than sincere. But the calculation ends with the realization that the music is more honest than most anything created by other … Read more
Pkew Pkew Pkew
Optimal Lifestyles
Dine Alone (2019)
There’s a lot I want to say about this album, but I’m torn because I try to keep things more positive. I’ve given it a lot of thought and a lot of listens, and I just don’t like it. At its best, it’s a pop-punk version of The Hold Steady – and that’s not in that oversimplified “recommended if you … Read more
Plague Widow
Self Titled
BuriedInHell (2012)
Sacramento three-piece Plague Widow came to form late last year, and have through some kind of sorcery already unleashed an uncompromising and punishing EP. Fifteen minutes of pure intense grind with a tiny hint of death, Plague Widow EP is disgustingly ferocious and absolutely relentless. With an intro track that is longer than 95% of the songs on the EP, … Read more
Plain
Different Not Strange
Independent (2008)
One could say Lugano, Switzerland’s Plain is a risk-taking collection of artists simply for the sheer bravery (or stupidity) of giving themselves that moniker. For those that wouldn’t care for their brand of music, professional critics and aural consumers alike, the door is wide open for the same kind of juvenile puns that your typical Garbage naysayer would dish out. … Read more
Plan of Attack
The Working Dead
Organized Crime (2004)
Upon their inception a few years ago, Plan of Attack was already a cut above a lot of the hardcore bands in the Midwest. Now, a demo, a 7", and a live 7" split with Terror & The Promise later, they continue to remain a cut above most of the hardcore bands around. Perhaps it's the background diversity of the … Read more
Planes Mistaken for Stars
Mercy
Abacus (2006)
Mark this down. This is the comeback record of the year for me. Planes Mistaken for Stars dropped the ball with Up in Them Guts right when they seemed poised to take the indie scene by storm. It was so lackluster for me that I did not have especially high hopes for this new record. With Matt Bellinger jumping ship … Read more
