8.23.2019

Mecht Mensch - Acceptance: Lost to tides of time.

Thom York - Anima: Far too quiet.

Violent Tumor - Abortion: Very rough sounding recording.

The Undertones - The Undertones: Classic.

Titus Andronicus - An Obelisk: Stripped down and glorious.

Antagonize - Slip Death: Muddy vocals strike again.

Thank You Scientist - Terraformer: Some great concepts, but could have used some focus.

State - No Illusions: Like a punch to the mouth.

Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger: Much more subdued than I remembered.

PUP - Morbid Stuff: Needs to tour with Jeff Rosenstock.

One Step Closer - From Me To You: Have Heart vibes.

National Skyline - National Skyline: Pretty good, Radiohead-inspired rock.

Mark Mulcahy - The Gus: His best work yet.

Magazine - Real Life: Just when I think I have mined all the post-punk classics, I find this gem.

Lost Sounds - Lost Sounds: A little Screamers vibe that has me interested in more.

Koro - 700 Club: Early '80s hardcore that scratches a certain itch.

Jaylib - Champion Sound: Does not always hit, but there is enough.

Frail - Make Your Own Noise: Great metallic emo from the '90s.

Forgetters - Forgetters: A few good tracks, but not enough to save it.

Flashlight - Poetry Class '96: Underrated midwestern emo.

Drums - Brutalism: Unmistakably Johnathan Pierce.

Downhaul - About Leaving: Settling into a routine.

Downhaul - Where We Started: Swinging for the fences.

Downhaul - About Leaving: Less quirky Front Bottoms.

Downhaul - Little Whim: Finding their footing.

Death Grips - Gmail and the Restraining Orders: Glad to have whatever they decide to put out.

Cyanamid - Stop The World: Bookend tracks oppose the chaos within.

Castor - Tracking Sounds Alone: Some many emo bands, so little time.

C.I.A. - God, Guts, Guns: Did not disappoint after finding it on a list of best 7"s of '80s hardcore.

Brave Little Abacus - Just Got Back From The Discomfort/We're Alright: Songs are definitely there, but it does not come together as an album.

Black Midi - Schlagenheim: Not sure how it will hold up, but current top 3 for AOTY.

Black Keys - "Let's Rock": The quotes are apt.

Baroness - Gold & Grey: Weird production on the vocals made for a washed out experience.

6.14.2019

Vampire Weekend - Father Of The Bride: Beneficiaries of their past success.

Tyler, The Creator - IGOR: Not the biggest fan, but this was pretty compelling.

Playboi Carti - Die Lit: I can do a few songs, but at an hour in length it is a slog.

The National - I Am Easy To Find: Comes across as very safe.

Magnitude - To Whatever Fateful End: Great hardcore record that does not feel stale.

Knope - Picture Perfect: Really enjoying these smaller releases.

Joshua Redman Quartet - Come What May: Too clean on the production side.

I Love Your Lifestyle - The Movie: Some good tracks, but the album falls flat.

Holly Herndon - Proto: Interesting concepts abound.

Get Up Kids - Problems: Looking forward to a few more spins.

5.28.2019

Editors - In Dream: Wish I had not fallen off these guys, because this is great.

Creative Adult - Fear of Life: Slower, sadder.

Creative Adult - Ring Around the Room: Much better in bite-size form.

Creative Adult - Psychic Mess: A little longer than I would have liked.

Creative Adult - Bulls in the Yard: A continuation of their previous EP.

Creative Adult - Dead Air: A little Fucked Up vibe.

Broken Social Scene - Let's Try The After, Vol. 2: Not as strong as Vol. 1 which was not as strong as Hug of Thunder.

A Certain Ratio - ACR:SET: Nice to have a one-disc overview of this essential post-punk band.

5.25.2019

Tallest Man On Earth - I Love You. It's A Fever Dream: A little less Dylan-esque, a bit more compelling.

Starflyer 59 - Young In My Head: Perfect album after a long week.

Mummies - Never Been Caught: I would have believed you if you said it was a long lost proto-punk band.

Mountain Goats - In League with Dragons: I wish it had a little more fire.

Martha - Love Keeps Kicking: And they keep writing hooks!

Magic Circle - Departed Souls: Feels too Greta Van Fleet this time around.

Jenny Lewis - On The Line: Looking forward to a Greatest Hits from her.

La Dispute - Panorama: I want to like it, but still undecided.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Fishing For Fishies: Unexpected, as always.

Craig Finn - I Need A New War: Or at least a new band?

Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (Original New York Test Pressing): How different the world may have been.

Coasta - Sunzal: Interesting Brand New-related nugget.

Andrew Bird - My Finest Work Yet: Pretty close.

Beyonce - Homecoming: I was hoping this would be a good introduction. I am clearly not the target audience.

Autoclave - Autoclave: Feels so far ahead of its time, even for Dischord.

4.04.2019

Xiu Xiu - Girl with Basket of Fruit: The album I did not know I wanted, but now need in my life.

The Wrens - Meadowlands: Sorry I missed this classic when it came out. Scratched a lot of itches.

Watsky - Complaint: My least favorite, but still better than most others.

Various - Holy Split (Origami Angel/Commander Salamander): Love what both bands are doing in their own space and, now, together.

Spirit of the Beehive - Hypnic Jerks: The Unicorns would be proud.

Spanish Love Songs - Schmaltz: Just enough different from the current Menzingers/Hotelier sound to keep it interesting.

Sidney Gish - No Dogs Allowed: Skippable.

Retirement Party - Somewhat Literate: Somewhat good.

Radar State - Strays: Feels too comfortable for its own good, but sounds like they are having fun.

Amanda Palmer - There Will Be No Intermission: Always worth a listen.

Anderson .Paak - Oxnard: Not my favorite album of his, but still solid.

Anderson .Paak - Venice: You could already here what he would become.

Mono - Nowhere Now Here: Right place, right time. Really liked this.

Knope - No Life: Looking forward to more.

Kississippi - Sunset Blush: Not bad, but nothing groundbreaking.

Khayembii Communique - Khayembii Communique: Another forgotten screamo band.

Just Friends - Nothing But Love: Great little record.

Hatebreed - Concrete Confessional: It is Hatebreed and I did not miss much by not knowing this came out.

Ezra Furman - Transangelic Exodus: Would love to see a tour with of Montreal.