The Black Heart Procession
The Spell
Touch & Go (2006)
The Black Heart Procession has been producing challenging, dark indie rock for almost ten years now. Formed by members of the band Three Mile Pilot - who will also be releasing a new album sometime this year or next after an extended absence since 1998 - The Black Heart Procession have consistently released some of the moodiest sounding albums on … Read more
The Black Hollies
Casting Shadows
Ernest Jenning (2008)
The Black Hollies feature three-fifths of Jersey City's Rye Coalition, but don't expect Casting Shadows, the trippy-covered Ernest Jenning release to match Rye Coalition's dirty rock. The Black Hollies play a blend of psychedelic and 60's garage-pop, complete with flowery imagery, sweet harmonies, and fuzzy guitar interludes. The album shifts between fuzzed out psychedelic and group harmony pop, with the … Read more
The Black Keys
El Camino
Nonesuch (2011)
By now, the Black Keys have released enough material to seemingly exist since the early nineties. This is not the case, however, only having released their gritty debut, The Big Come Up, in May 2002. Since then, amidst a steady growth in production efforts and more polished recordings, The Black Keys manage to stay true to their simplistic form.Where the … Read more
The Black Widow's Project
Heavy Heart
Shitstem (2012)
Initially, I thought I had this band all figured out. From the obvious stoner metal influence and playful title of the lead track, “Ha ha ha uh”, I felt like I knew exactly what to expect. These guys were not interested in odd time signatures or complicated song arrangements. They were merely interested in having some fun with rock n’ … Read more
The Blackjaw
Burn The Artisan
White Russian Records (2019)
Some soft strumming on the guitar draws your attention. Post-hardcorish emo vocals ask you if you ever wondered what it is like to kill someone. Welcome to the wonderful world of The Blackjaw.The Blackjaw is Spanish quartet who recently released their fourth album unto an unsuspecting world. Well, it is either that or I have been living under a rock … Read more
The Blackout Argument
Remedies
Lifeforce (2009)
Germany's The Blackout Argument are one of the many new hardcore acts being spawned in the scene today. In their short career as a band, they have already released three EP's and a full-length and they have been building their reputation as one of the hardest working bands out there today. They recently faced the challenge of finding a new … Read more
The Blank Fight
House Band Feud (Re-Issue)
Silver Sprocket (2012)
Aaron Cometbus, Rymodee of This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb, bikes, guitars…that seems a fitting intro for the reissue of The Blank Fight’s one and only album, House Band Feud. The cd was released in 2002 on Plan-it-X and, to steal a line from Silver Sprocket’s press sheet, many a songs have made it to mixtapes in the decade since. … Read more
The Blind Shake
Breakfast of Failures
Goner (2014)
The Blind Shake have been consistently banging out juicy, syncopatic jams for the better part of a decade now. Breakfast of Failures is their fifth full-length and, with it, continues the evolution. They’ve always been a concise group, focused on big stomping hooks within the confines of a pop structure, and they’ve slowly made their sound less homogenized in the … Read more
The Blind Shake
Celebrate Your Worth
Goner (2016)
I’ve covered The Blind Shake for most of their career so far. Over that time it’s been a steady growth often focused on syncopated and rhythmic rock: forceful, punchy, and precise. The kind of rock that you can set your watch to, while still angry and striking a deeper chord. They’ve taken some turns along the way: their collaborations with … Read more
The Blind Shake
Fly Right EP
Slovenly (2015)
The Blind Shake have honed their sound over the years, always identifiable yet always moving it forward and with a keen difference between records. It’s pretty impressive considering they write 2-3 minute stomp-garage tracks with a big emphasis on beat and hook—a style where repetition and sameness run rampant.Where Fly Right stands out is its variation from that tradition. The … Read more
The Blind Shake
Key to a False Door
Castle Face Records (2013)
It’s no secret to long-time site readers that I’m a fan of The Blind Shake. The Minneapolis trio has released a run of albums now, both on their own and with psychedelic luminary Michael Yonkers. All the while, their distinct sound continues to evolve. Starting as, to coin a term, a power-crunch band, it’s moved more heavily into distortion and … Read more
The Blind Shake
Seriousness
Learning Curve (2011)
It’s Seriousness indeed for The Blind Shake. The Minneapolis three-piece plays concise, to the point garage rock. From their matching trek suits to drummer Dave Roper’s emphatic beats, the band has an air of professional dedication when they take the stage that’s distinct in a genre that seems to pride itself on sloppiness. The band has been alternating records between … Read more
The Blinding Light
The Ascension Attempt
Deathwish Inc. (2004)
Heavy. Right off the bat, that is the word I would use to describe this band, and this record. Fucking heavy. Heavier than a chain-mail sack full of battle axes. The first time I heard The Blinding Light was well over a year ago, and though it didn't exactly inspire me to run out and pick up the band's latest … Read more
The Blood Brothers
Young Machetes
V2 (2006)
The Blood Brothers are one of those bands that can get you into shit with people. Not that anyone should have to appease anyone else with his or her musical interests and fancies. But, lets be honest, there is a very pronounced dividing line between people who enjoy The Blood Brothers and people who detest them. One reason for such … Read more
The Body
I’ve Seen All I Need To See
Thrill Jockey (2021)
Where to start with The Body? The duo has been creating harsh, noise-filled music for well over two decades and have a release schedule that is, frankly, terrifying to look at. The sheer number of albums, splits, EPs and stand-alone collaborations that The Body has produced is insane and the quality has remained consistently high considering. Chip King and Lee … Read more
The Body
Master, We Perish
At A Loss (2013)
The Body are, for want of a better phrase, absolutely fucking bonkers. From the trippy All the Waters of the Earth Shall Turn to Blood to the disturbing video for the track “The Ebb and Flow of Tides in a Sea of Ash” (don’t click that link if you’re of a nervous disposition) that’s featured on this new EP, The … Read more
The Body
No One Deserves Happiness
Thrill Jockey (2016)
Since 2010 and the release of their album All The Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood, sludge outfit The Body have really taken off. Originally found back in 1999, the band from Oregon did not seem to be very active, releasing a good debut album in 2004, but it would take six years until their next full-length. However, since … Read more
The Body & Krieg
The Body & Krieg
At A Loss (2015)
How much hatred can be produced within 48 hours? That is how long it took apocalyptic sludge outfit The Body and the main man of black metal sonic force Krieg, Neil Jameson, to record their collaboration. The Body are not new to the field of collaborative albums, which includes works with Braveyoung, Vampillia and Thou. However, there is something much … Read more
