The Hope Conspiracy
Death Knows Your Name
Deathwish Inc. (2006)
For those that did not hear The Hope Conspiracy's recent teaser 7" Hang Your Cross (which was later released as a CD and in digital format), now is your chance. Let me just say, WOW! I figured that the new full-length, Death Knows Your Name, would be good (this opinion was solely based off of the quality of said 7"), … Read more
The Hope Conspiracy
True Nihilist
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Always an air of mystery or uncertainty surrounding The Hope Conspiracy due to their status and rare live appearances, the group provides us with a bit of a tease in the three-song EP, True Nihilist in order to remind people that they are still out there lurking on the edge of existence stewing in whatever fuels the angry sounds for … Read more
The Hourly Radio
History Will Never Hold Me
Kirtland (2006)
I've noticed that pop music has gone through a lot of changes in the last few years. One thing I've noticed is the misconceptions of what people call "original" as something that sounds exactly like what's popular at the moment. The opening sentence in the press kit for this album is as follows "C'mon, admit it! It's been years since … Read more
The Howleez
No Shame
Independent (2015)
Considering that the genre is and probably always will be associated with youth, it's worth noting that there are some more experienced players working in today's punk scene – and not just in “legacy acts” that play songs first recorded years if not decades ago. Count Gainesville, Florida quartet The Howleez among them. Singer Debra Fetzer, guitarist Hazel Levy, bassist … Read more
The Huguenots
Discography
Hydra Head (2007)
The Huguenots were a band that existed at some point during the late 1990's, or at least that is what I can conclude based on the limited information available on the band's history and their wardrobe in the select pictures available of the band - no offense. Members of the band have spent time in several popular acts, including Converge, … Read more
The Human Quena Orchestra
The Politics of the Irredeemable
Crucial Blast (2009)
Surprising as it was to me that The Human Quena Orchestra is a project featuring members of Creation is Crucifixion that flew completely under my radar, I am jumping at the chance to check out what some of those guys are up to with their music. Anyone that ever gave Creation is Crucifixion a listen may recognize the electronic nature … Read more
The Hussy
Cement Tomb Mind Control
Slow Fizz (2011)
The Hussy have been banging away in clubs, bars, and basements since 2008. In that time, they’ve pumped out 3 vinyl singles and a split cassette. Still, with their Slow Fizz debut, the question remains about how their hyped-up, dirty garage rock will come across on a longer format. Cement Tomb Mind Control should alleviate any worries that the short-attention … Read more
The Hussy
Galore
Southpaw (2015)
Why have children when I can just listen to my music and watch the bands change and grow instead? First they learned to stumble, then to walk, and finally to slow dance. Er, I dunno. This metaphor fell apart before it even hit the page.What didn’t fall apart are Wisconsin duo The Hussy, a guitar and drum two-piece that falls … Read more
The Hussy
Looming
Dirtnap (2019)
It’s been fun watching The Hussy grow. All those scuzzy, dirty licks and rough-and-tumble beats of their early work is still present, but on Looming the now-trio lets the once understated melodies take the lead. It’s driving rock with some notable grooves, but it’s also singalong with shades of ‘60s garage, psychedelia, and even hints of pop.Looming contains 16 songs … Read more
The Hussy
Pagan Hiss
Southpaw (2013)
If Pain Teens and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion fucked and had a baby and that baby grew up to start a two-piece garage band with Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon's kid and they went into the studio to record with Phil Spector after his release from prison, The Hussy's Pagan Hiss would be the end result. Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, … Read more
The Hussy
Weed Seizure
Tic Tac Totally (2012)
Just a year ago I was writing about Cement Tomb Mind Control. Here we are in 2012, and the Madison, WI two-piece is already dropping their second full-length,Weed Seizure, on Tic Tac Totally Records. Considering the backbone of The Hussy is to play l-o-u-d garage rock, there isn’t a dramatic shift here in style. The changes are more in nuance.With … Read more
The Immortal Samsara Travellers
Hanging Gardens In Glacial Apocha
Utech (2023)
Drone music is a deceptively difficult genre to get right. Sure, anyone can play very slow and heavy, letting the feedback carry them into obscurity. But in truth, it is all about what happens in the space in between, and the feeling that the artists can transmit. The Immortal Samsara Travellers are more than capable of delivering exactly that with … Read more
The Jealous Sound
Kill Them With Kindness
Better Looking (2003)
The Jealous Sound has written one of the most infectiously catchy records I've heard in years. Poppy hooks and lyrical substance are quite a rare combination these days. The Jealous Sound plays a style of music that, while staying true to the early/mid 90's emo-rock sound, also offers a fresh take on a style of music perfected by bands like … Read more
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Damage and Joy
ADA Records (2017)
Ever since The Jesus and Mary Chain came on the scene in the Mid-80’s with their tapestry of sound Psychocandy, and onto their 90’s fame recording with Hope Sandoval, the band has always reminded me of a couple of stoned uncles. You know, the ones your mom doesn’t think to highly of, but they are the coolest thing around because … Read more
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Glasgow Eyes
Fuzz Club Records (2024)
What I enjoy most about the Jesus and Mary Chain is arguably also their biggest flaw. The band’s slacker energy meets wall of feedback with a surprisingly melodic twist has always worked for me, but it kind of blurs together after a while. It’s kind of rainy day music – hence the classic “Happy When It Rains” off 1987’s Darklands. … Read more
The Johnson Report
The Johnson Report
Independent (2010)
During all of high school, Jen dated Zach. Jen was, hands down, the most beautiful girl in our year. Beyond that, she was extremely smart and cultured: she had been across Europe a couple of times and could tell you the capitals of all the provinces and states if she was asked. There wasn't a guy that I knew who … Read more
The Jonbenét
Ugly/Heartless
Pluto (2006)
The Jonbenét Ramsey murder case has weaved its way in and out of our news chomping lives since the latter part of 1998. This was the time when the world was flummoxed and enraptured by the eight-year-old beauty queen's slaying. Lately the case has returned from the abyss again to haunt us with dolled up pictures of a little girl's … Read more
The Joy Circuit
EP1
Independent (2005)
The Joy Circuit formed out of a unique situation; they were the backing band Ken Andrews hired on for his most recent space/indie/rock outfit Year of the Rabbit. Despite releasing what I considered to be two quality releases, the band fell into shambles. But rather than go their separate ways, drummer Tim Down, bassist Solomon Snyder, and guitarist Jeff Garber … Read more
