Dub Trio
Another Sound is Dying
Ipecac (2008)
In the year 2008, one might question the relevancy of reggae and dub on today's music. When you take a closer look at things, you'd be very surprised at the answer. Sure, artists like Bob Marley and The Clash aren't around anymore. But others still carry the torch that they brought forth to the mainstream. Tim Armstrong released a reggae-based … Read more
Dum Dum Girls
End Of Daze
Sub Pop (2012)
Ah the Dum Dum Girls… the Dum Dum Girls are in serious danger of transcending the shtick that the band is partially and maybe unfairly saddled with as the End Of Daze certainly shows pushing back at the boundaries of songwriter Dee Dee’s previous songs for the band without losing any of the charm or panache with which those other … Read more
Dustin Kensrue
Carry The Fire
Staple Records/Vagrant Records (2015)
The basic tenets of theology and philosophy concern discerning right from wrong, good from evil. There will never be any clear answer to this, but as humans we're going to keep guessing and muddling through. At least partly as a result of its ambiguous nature, morality will always be a topic that's ripe for exploration and dissection. This isn't the … Read more
Dustin Kensrue
Please Come Home
Equal Vision (2007)
All right doggies, saddle up. It's time to slip off those slip-on vans and lace up a pair of shit kickers; the terrain gets a lil' rough up ahead. That's right, y'all better trade in those half inch gauged earrings for a ten gallon hat because we're about to take a bucking ride through the romantic Midwest with Dustin "Dusty" … Read more
Duvel
Attempts at Speech
Fysisk Format (2018)
Welcome to Duvel’s childlike fantasy, their ruminations inspired by Norwegian life. The bleak echoing of whatever neurosis such a wonderfully Scandinavian culture produces, other than seasonal depression and too much equality, speaks through them in musical duality. This album is so childlike, oftentimes aloof, stumbling upon pure goodness as if by accident. They are Parsifal, before he got his name, … Read more
DWNKILL
Time Will Tell
Street Noise Production (2023)
DWNKILL are a band born of the monotony of the Covid pandemic which gave the band plenty of time to write, rehearse and perfect their sound. Hailing from Houston, Texas, DWNKILL are the brain child of identical twin brothers, Jesse (vocals) and Josh (drums) Rodriguez. Recruiting childhood friends Connor Clements (guitar) and Dylan McEwan (bass) their line up was complete … Read more
E. Town Concrete
Made for War
Ironbound (2004)
Let me start off by saying that E. Town Concrete is the only band I know of that can mix hip hop and hardcore and not come out looking like idiots. Their last release, Renaissance was a solid release, equal parts rap with equal parts hardcore. Made for War, on the other hand, leans more towards the hardcore genre and … Read more
Eagle Twin
The Feather Tipped The Serpent's Scale
Southern Lord (2012)
Sophomore albums are always an intriguing milestone for musicians and bands because they kind of serve notice as to how they react to people’s reception of their work (and that reaction ranges from full on ignoring critics and listeners alike and following their own directions to modifying and mass alterations to style and sound depending on what grabbed people’s ears … Read more
Eagle Twin
The Unkindness of Crows
Southern Lord (2009)
Gentry Densley is somewhat of a living legend in the metal world. Unfortunately I am not as familiar with his work in Iceburn as I should be, but I've known him as an indispensable part of the Southern Lord supergroup Ascend. Ascend took experimental metal to new heights, but his latest project Eagle Twin, while moving in a similar direction … Read more
Eagles of Death Metal
Death by Sexy
Downtown (2006)
The Eagles of Death Metal are back in action and are kicking all notions of a sophomore slump to the curb. Death by Sexy is thirteen tracks of sassed up garage rock that makes for the ideal Summer soundtrack. So pick up a copy of this album and plan a get-together, because if there is fun to be had, this … Read more
Eagles of Death Metal
Heart On
Downtown (2008)
Josh Homme wants it to be clear: Eagles of Death Metal is not a side project. Though he rakes in most of his dough and critical acclaim with Queens of the Stone Age, drumming for Eagles of Death Metal brings him just as much satisfaction as his big band does. Probably because he gets to play with his childhood friend, … Read more
Eagles of Death Metal
Peace Love Death Metal
Ant Acid Audio (2004)
For those of us that follow the happenings of the music world closely, it seems there is always a release that involves a Queens of the Stone Age member around the corner. This time Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, alias Carlo Von Sexron, is lending his talents to Eagles of Death Metal, the creation of close friend … Read more
Earlimart
Treble & Tremble
Palm Pictures (2004)
What does coping with the death of Elliott Smith sound like? It sounds poignant and pretty; in essence, it sounds like Smith's spirit is living vicariously through Aaron Espinoza. Music is a catharsis for many artists and the finest music is produced when songwriting is used to expel intense emotions. On Earlimart's fourth full-length album, Espinoza deals with tragedy and … Read more
Early Riser
Vocations
A-F (2021)
I was really into a few folk-bands for a while. But while I enjoy the lo-fi and personable tones, I find a lot of the vocals to be hit/miss. Which, to be honest, is in tune with my feelings on folk too. It’s a genre where voice matters a lot. Some work for me; some don’t. I like Defiance, Ohio … Read more
Earth
Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light I
Southern Lord (2011)
What more can be said about Dylan Carlson and his outfit, Earth (and long time drummer Adrienne Davies), that probably has not been said many times over ad nauseum? Personally, Earth has become a touchstone and jumping off point for a ton of incredible music (Carlson and company certainly broadened my musical horizons and palette) while at the same time … Read more
Earth
Hex: Or Printing in the Infernal Method
Southern Lord (2005)
Opening with a sound not unlike some kind of spaghetti western death knell, Hex: Or Printing in the Infernal Method, the comeback album of noise mongers Earth, shocks the old time listeners of the band. Anyone who has heard Earth 2 or Sunn Amps and Smashed Guitars will tell you that. But, the mastermind behind Earth, Dylan Carlson, is known … Read more
Earth
Hibernaculum
Southern Lord (2007)
It is not often that a band is willing to revisit prior recorded works in a new musical style. With Hibernaculum, the lauded Earth do just that. However, they do more than just rehash old material. Dylan Carlson and company instead breathe new life into the songs and gives listeners, fans, and interested parties a striking bridge between the "louder," … Read more
Earth
Primitive & Deadly
Southern Lord (2014)
In a career lasting some two and a half decades at this point, Earth has gained near-legendary status and plenty of critical acclaim for making expansive drone masterpieces. Over the years though, the band has mellowed out a bit: by the time The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull came along in 2008, the group had incorporated melodic elements … Read more
