The Sword
Gods of the Earth
Kemado (2008)
The Sword is probably the first band to ever see their career catapulted thanks to a video game. Sure, lots of bands have had their songs featured as part of the soundtrack to a game, but none were an integral part of the game as "Freya" was to Guitar Hero II. This isn't to discredit The Sword as they are … Read more
The Sword
Greetings From...
Razor & Tie (2017)
The Sword produce a very special kind of metal. It’s the kind of metal that hits hard as fuck, but with tremendous songwriting that brings with it the sludge from the underbelly of a Texas oil field. The Sword seem to toe that sweet spot between mindnumbing, scraping, smack with an open palm, head shot guitar and sweet 70s rock … Read more
The T4 Project
Story-Based Concept Album
Mental (2008)
Before this monstrosity hit my mailbox the only concept album that I own was Hüsker Dü's Zen Arcade. Even that double album by those St. Paul hardcore pioneers isn't even that good for a concept album as it ends up being all a dream. I thought that trick only worked on 80's prime time sitcoms. I really don't like concept … Read more
The Takers
Taker Easy
Suburban Home (2009)
The Takers are the latest entry in the country revival coming out of the punk scene over the last few years. What sets The Takers apart from most of these bands is their absolute ability to sound like a normal old school country band. That is to say, there isn't some folk punk nonsense or a punk chorus or even … Read more
The Tallest Man on Earth
The Wild Hunt
Dead Oceans (2010)
Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth, wants to sound like Bob Dylan. Who doesn't? Well, I can name a few bands, but I won't go there. Besides, any comparisons to the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer are a waste of time. The Tallest Man on Earth is his own musician with his own goals, even if it … Read more
The Tallest Man on Earth
There's No Leaving Now
Dead Oceans (2012)
Sweden’s Kristian Matsson (more popularly known as the Tallest Man On Earth) first found himself atop a mountain of praise in 2010 following the release of The Wild Hunt, wheedling his way into the hearts of many with soothing melodies and uplifting energy. Relying almost entirely on just his guitar and commanding voice, Matsson’s brand of folk garnered more than … Read more
The Tangent
Le Sacre du Travail
Inside Out (2013)
If there's anyone who can make the mundane interesting, it'd have to be progressive rockers The Tangent. As evidence, I cite their newest album, Le Sacre du Travail (The Rite of Work), which is a five-movement, hour-long piece of music encapsulating the variety of emotions in the typical Westerner's work day.And it certainly succeeds at that project--bland concepts and trivial … Read more
The Tanks
Keep Breaking Down
Scenester Credentials (2009)
With only two studio albums thus far, I'm not really comfortable referring to The Future of the Left has an influential band, but only a few seconds into The Tanks Keep Breaking Down and I'm thinking clearly of the Welsh band. The guitars aren't quite as interesting, and singer Kevin Koppes doesn't accentuate as much, but the speak-sing, monologue-style vocals … Read more
The Telescopes
Experimental Health
Weisskalt (2023)
There has been a lot of excitement about The Telescopes’ latest record, Of Tomorrow, and rightly so. Yet earlier in the year, the historic act from England put out another record through the small, independent Aussie record label Weisskalt. Experimental Health is the ying to Of Tomorrow’s yang, tilting much more towards the experimental side of the band, but without … Read more
The Telescopes
Of Tomorrow
Tapete Records (2023)
Tintinnabulation resounds through the astral planes pulsating waves of pleasure that wash over the mind's crevices. Electrical jolts of sensory disturbances alter perception guiding you through dark passageways toward doors with rays of light pouring through cracks and crevices for those brave enough to explore. Lawrie the high lord of shoe pondering kinship amongst psychedelic warlords has reinvented and suspired … Read more
The Thermals
Personal Life
Kill Rock Stars (2010)
It’s very rare that an album can be described as “charming.” However, it’s an appropriate way to describe indie-punk outfit The Thermals’ fifth full length album Personal Life. That’s until you get past the music and listen to the story.From the start, it’s apparent that The Thermals are taking a softer approach than previous works. Themes of love, loss, and … Read more
The Thrills
Let's Bottle Bohemia
Virgin (2004)
Foreign territories naturally exude mystery and romance. Dubliners the Thrills found California so intriguing that they wrote their whole debut, So Much for the City, about it. Their blatant references in song titles, from "Big Sur," "Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)," to "Hollywood Kids," and their Beach Boys-influenced pop made them the best California band that wasn't from California … Read more
The Tim Version
Decline of the Southern Gentleman
No Idea (2008)
At The Fest last fall I saw a lot of bands, most of which I had a previous idea of what they were about beforehand. One band I didn’t know, but lucked out to see because they were slotted before Bloodbath & Beyond and Tiltwheel, was Tampa's The Tim Version. Decline of the Southern Gentleman in the group's newest release … Read more
The Tim Version
Ordinary Life
No Idea Records (2014)
The Tim Version’s set at Fest 12 was slower. The songs were drawn out—still loud, and angry—but they were a notch slower, going for expansive and big instead of that 1-2 punch. Was that to be the style on their next album, or was it just the hangover influencing their set list?Ordinary Life is their second LP on No Idea … Read more
The Tomb Tones
Ghost Of Toast
Independent (2023)
Atlanta, Georgia three piece horrorbilly rocksters The Tomb Tones released their debut album "Pumpkin Guts" in 2020 and are now following up with this brand new spooky foodie fable Ghost of Toast! This album tells the gruesome tale of Bill Higgins, a mill worker for the Miracle Bread Company back in the 60s. It was reported that Bill fell into … Read more
The Tossers
Agony
Victory (2007)
A handful of records on multiple labels, a World Series game, a Jimmy Kimmel appearance, a solo record...not bad for a band of Southside Chicagoans I first heard opening for Citizen Fish in 2000. With Agony, The Tossers' second release on Victory Records, they continue to steadily grow in popularity and release almost an album per year. Often overlooked by … Read more
The Tossers
Smash the Windows
Victory (2017)
The term “Irish punk” sprung up in the late ‘90s around the time Flogging Molly jumped into the spotlight and in the waning days of ska-punk. A new hyphen was needed for those into punk aggression and hybrid genres.I’ve always had a soft spot for violins, mandolins and other instrumentation common in the style. While time and more and more … Read more
The Tossers
The Emerald City
Victory (2013)
The Tossers top out my list of Celtic punk bands. Dropkick Murphys turned into cartoons long ago and I’ve just never been that big a fan of Dave King’s (Flogging Molly) voice. The Tossers, who call Chicago home, bring a mix of emphatic punk energy a la Flogging Molly, but blend it with a traditionalist sense found in, who else,The … Read more
