Elvis Costello
Momofuku
Lost Highway (2008)
It can be kind of intimidating to just jump into the oeuvre of an artist like Elvis Costello. It's like playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, but the wonderful old donkey has magic powers that let him move from one decade to the next - he's hard to get a handle on. Honestly, record reviews don't always help that … Read more
Elvis Costello
North
Deutsche Grammophon (2003)
By now, if you haven't heard or at least heard of Elvis Costello, something is terribly, terribly wrong with you. Emerging as a part of the punk movement in the late 70s, Costello's combination of biting wit, sociopolitical consciousness, and his amazing songwriting has led to him being heralded by many as the best pop songwriter since the Beatles. The … Read more
Elway
Delusions
Red Scare (2011)
Pop structures with gruff vocals? Check.Group singalongs at the chorus?Check.A lyrical focus on being lost in the world while simultaneously abusing alcohol semi-therapeutically?Check.There’s definitely a format at play for Elway, the Colorado band who just issued their debut on Red Scare Industries. Say what you will about the whole “beard punk” sub-subgenre, but I’m a sucker for it and Elway … Read more
Elway
For the Sake of the Bit
Red Scare Industries (2018)
Elway kick off their latest with “Inches,” a middle finger at those of us listening to and writing about their music. So, well, I’m not the type to throw fuel on the fire so I’ll leave it at that. They’re entitled to their opinions. Tim Browne even shared some great points in an SPB guest column. The notable point in … Read more
Elway
Hence My Optimism
Red Scare Industries (2012)
Following a name change from the audibly slick 10-4 Eleanor and absurd legal debacles with John Elway of the Denver Broncos comes the follow-up EP from the Colorado 4-piece’s Red Scare debut. Hence My Optimism shows little progression from Elway’s previous efforts but proves there’s little merit in fixing what isn’t broken. Packing enough energy and rambunctious attitude to rival … Read more
Elway
Leavetaking
Red Scare Industries (2013)
Listening to Elway’s debut Delusions there was a lot of promise. It’s a solid record, nice songwriting, big hooks and memorable choruses. It’s modern Midwestern punk but with a greater ear toward emotion and even a bit of drama, more Lawrence Arms in tone than, say, Banner Pilot. Where Delusions hit a wall was in just how similar it could … Read more
Embers
Shadows
Independent (2011)
Embers is a grouping of people from Oakland California and while most of what their area is known for is being dangerous hip hop tends to be the best known export of the city. Meanwhile in the shadows Embers have built something that may be more reminiscent of their hometown. A four piece that, at least on recordings, includes more … Read more
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Self Titled (Re-Issue)
Razor & Tie (2012)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, in addition to being amongst the first and most recognizable supergroups ever, have somewhat of a divided reputation. Either they're the ultimate expression of talented rock musicianship, each member being an established virtuoso musician in his own right, or they're the posterchildren for everything that there is to hate about progressive rock, creating music that can … Read more
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Tarkus (Re-Issue)
Razor & Tie (2012)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, in addition to being amongst the first and most recognizable supergroups ever, have somewhat of a divided reputation. Either they're the ultimate expression of talented rock musicianship, each member being an established virtuoso musician in his own right, or they're the posterchildren for everything that there is to hate about progressive rock, creating music that can … Read more
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton
Knives Don't Have Your Back
Last Gang (2006)
Emily Haines is a diva. Okay, maybe not in the traditional sense of the word, but if the modern definition - "an extremely independent and talented female singer" - allows individuals like Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé to be considered divas, then Haines is more than deserving. Haines may be most well known for her work fronting Metric, but she has … Read more
Emily's Army
Don't Be A Dick
Adeline (2011)
It would be hard for Emily’s Army to disassociate from their bloodlines: Don’t Be a Dick is produced by Billie Joe Armstrong, shares a similarity in layout, art, and font to Green Day and the record itself is on Adeline. Yes, this is the debut from the California band featuring Joey Armstrong on drums (son of the Green Day frontman). … Read more
Emma Louise
Vs Head Vs Heart
French Kiss (2013)
Emma Louise described the cover art for her debut album Vs Head Vs Heart as expressing "the beauty that can come out of vulnerability". The cover art fittingly reflects the songs on Vs Head Vs Heart, vulnerability is seeping through every song in a flurry of initially guarded lyrics, before being torn down note by note to reveal the real … Read more
Emma Ruth Rundle
On Dark Horses
Sargent House (2018)
Where 2016's Marked for Death battled with Emma Ruth Rundle’s mortality and medical history, and allowed the artist to work through feelings of hopelessness and pain, On Dark Horses tries to take control of the shadows found in life. Instead of succumbing to the darkness, Rundle is now finding a path out of despair and using her music to piece … Read more
Emmy The Great
Second Love
Bella Union (2016)
Finding an anchor in your life is one of those inevitabilities that is constantly chattering away in the back of your head; you're trying to figure out where you should be and where you should stay. If your 20s are there to discover what you're doing with your life and which space on this planet is most homely to you, … Read more
Empire! Empire! (I was a Lonely Estate)
When the Sea Became a Giant
Independent (2007)
The key word that comes to mind when listening to When the Sea Became a Giant is light. Everything is light. The vocal delivery is a deep reminder of the roots of emo, where a different kind of melancholy built its empire (no pun intended, I lied, yes it was). The guitars let off an air of innocent intensity. The … Read more
Emptiness
Not For Music
Season of Mist (2017)
Belgium’s Emptiness have spent much of their career eschewing traditional approaches and with Not for Music they continue to imbue their singular take on black metal with wholly impure vibrations and ever more intriguing design elements. One such decision is the inclusion of Jeordie White (Marilyn Manson’s Twiggy Ramirez) on production duties and it’s this somewhat unusual choice that gives … Read more
Empty
Open Aeon
Aphotic Audio (2006)
The alternative electronic world is a strange one. In a realm of, literally, limitless possibilities, beats and effects and bound only by human imagination, there is a clique of acts that all sound the same. These acts make electronic music in the same way that punk bands make punk music. There are, of course, a few exceptions to that rule … Read more
Empty Promise
Start from the Ground
Independent (2009)
Austria, the home of some of my ancestors and one of my favorite finds of the year, Empty Promise. This four-piece melodic punk band definitely took me by surprise and are sure to do the same to more listeners. Already having an impressive demo EP on their resume, Empty Promise continue to come out strong with their debut album, Start … Read more
