Posts Tagged ‘Joshua Hammond’

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REVIEW: The Strokes – Comedown Machine

April 4th, 2013 Josh Hammond

Band: The Strokes
Album: Comedown Machine
Label: RCA
Genre: Garage Rock

If the whole of your research were to stem strictly from the interwebs, one would have to surmise that The Strokes’ new album Comedown Machine was, without question, the worst album ever created in the history of modern music. This, however, is nothing more than a collective hyperbole. The album is not only serviceable, it is better than a majority of the albums released and swept under the rug in this unforgivable industry.

Sadly though, that’s not how the industry works. Often, as an artist, critics place your latest …

Posted in Features, News, reviews Tags: , , , , , 5 Comments »
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REVIEW: Allison Weiss – Say What You Mean

March 27th, 2013 Josh Hammond

Artist: Allison Weiss
Album: Say What You Mean
Label: No Sleep

In terms of love, there are two distinctly different industry approaches. There is of course the Hollywood viewpoint, which is packed full of hopefulness, armpit-deep in smitten and founded on long walks on the beach. This is the same industry that had made both the Twilight series and Ashton Kutcher millions of dollars. But let’s be real for a second, shall we? Do you really think you live in a world of sparking vampires and charming kids from Iowa?

Didn’t think so.

…

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SXSW 2013: A Survival Guide

March 4th, 2013 Josh Hammond

In preparation of South By Southwest (SXSW), the music industry’s most epic and grueling music festival, I felt inclined to make a list of advice and suggestions that I wish that someone had told me in 2009, as I headed into the event. So to all of you SXSW rookies out there, read the following:

1. Drink water, not whiskey.

Since SXSW is unlike any other festival in the fact that it is a marathon, not a sprint, pacing yourself is key. With schedules spanning six days and shows popping up from breakfast to bar close, bracing your body is …

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REVIEW: Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob

January 25th, 2013 Josh Hammond

Artist: Tegan and Sara
Album: Heartthrob
Genre: Indie/Pop

Is there anything more refreshing than watching a band or musician come to terms with who they are? Following their career as they age and mature can honestly be as inspiring as watching your kids grow.

That said, Tegan and Sara have finally become full-fledged adults. On Heartthrob, they stand up boldly, refusing to let their music career become a cliché. Following the spike in noise which started with their 2009 release Sainthood, the band slams an exclamation mark on the a career, swelling from a girl-and-her-guitar-coffee-shop sound to a …

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REVIEW: Biffy Clyro – Black Chandelier EP

January 21st, 2013 Josh Hammond

Artist: Biffy Clyro
Album: Black Chandelier EP
Genre: Post Hardcore, Alternative
Label: 14th Floor Records

Stereotypes are the worst, aren’t they? Without reason they leave you branded with a certain stigma or personality that may not necessarily be indicative of you, yet any effort to change or shake these conventionalized ideas often results in their spreading like fire snuffed with gasoline. They build and swell into something bigger than initially intended, often consuming the original product and much of what surrounds it.

This outbreak of pretentious judgment is true of the music industry as well. For example, being labeled as …

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REVIEW: Beach Fossils – Clash the Truth

January 11th, 2013 Josh Hammond

Artist: Beach Fossils
Album: Clash the Truth
Genre: Indie, Lo-Fi, Surf-rock
Label: Captured Tracks

Musically speaking, Dustin Payseur is anything but lazy. The proof is right there on the mix of Clash the Truth, the sophomore release from pet project Beach Fossils.  The album shoulders enough strong musical structures to demand notice while suggesting just the right amount of independence to keep the Pitchfork generation from crying “sellout.”

With hipster credibility and 1980s structure, the album’s lo-fi and DIY signatures that suture the singles together make it easy to toss out phrases like “vintage” and “throwback.” The album’s …

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UTG Interview: ZZ Ward

December 22nd, 2012 Josh Hammond

With her bold voice and charming personality there is absolutely no reason why ZZ Ward should not take over the world. With a bluesy sound spliced softly with hip-hop and protest singer influences, Ward seems to come at you from all angles. Sure, her sound can effortlessly be written-off as resembling Adele and Amy Winehouse, but honestly, simplifying her talent by shoving it in such a tiny box would be a tragedy. It would also be rather lazy.

The first thing I noticed about Ward Friday night at the Midland Theater was the manner in which her vocals filled …

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ALBUM REVIEW: Green Day – ¡Tré!

December 11th, 2012 Josh Hammond

Artist: Green Day
Album: ¡Tre!
Genre: Punk(ish)

Realistically speaking, following my first listen to ¡Tré!, the third installment of the latest Green Day trilogy, I should have rejoiced with a sizable party of family and friends. Having embraced and approved of all 12 of the tracks on the album, I honestly should be god damned overjoyed. I probably should have celebrated the return of the Green Day of old with a Macy’s Day Parade (see what I did there?). Yet, in the long run, I have stumbled away from this album with more questions for Green Day than answers …

Posted in Features, News, reviews Tags: , , , , , , , 7 Comments »
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REVIEW: Kid Rock – Rebel Soul

December 1st, 2012 Josh Hammond

Artist: Kid Rock
Album: Rebel Soul
Genre: Something

Since I have always prided myself on writing reviews with an unapologetic and honest tone it is only fair that I also admit that there was a time that I not only owned but enjoyed Kid Rock. Those were confusing times comprised of angst and wardrobes from Hot Topic. My hair looked a lot like something from a Nine Inch Nails video. Obviously, a lot has changed since 1998. For example, Kid Rock’s sound has shifted from an aggressive rap-rock hybrid to something posing as a southern gentleman. Somewhere along the …

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REVIEW: Green Day – Dos!

November 12th, 2012 Josh Hammond

Artist: Green Day
Album: Dos!
Genre: Punk(?)

In a perfect world there would be no pillars to fall from. Expectations would be modest and reasonable, directed to the task at hand. Take for example Green Day, who has spent the last 18 years living in the shadow of their best-selling album Dookie. The trio honestly shouldn’t be held to unrealistic expectations of recreating this iconic album. I mean, life happens right? Over the course of two decades people undoubtedly grow up, and their influences and inspirations shift. So logically, Billie Joe and company should in no way be …

Posted in Features, News, reviews Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 39 Comments »
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REVIEW: The Manchurian Incident – Hungry Hungry Hippocampus

November 7th, 2012 Josh Hammond

Artist: The Manchurian Incident
Album: Hungry Hungry Hippocampus
Genre: Post-Hardcore

Sometimes it’s hard to remember that a review isn’t about personal preference. It isn’t CD shopping at Target, where one can gravitate towards the genre selection of choice. Without fail, there are always going to be bands that fall in the lap of the music reviewer that he wouldn’t generally listen to.

The percentages are fairly good that I would have never listened to The Manchurian Incident without being prompted to do so. In fact, I usually would avoid writing a review from a genre like this. When you listen …

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The Wonder Years Release Deluxe ‘Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing’

November 6th, 2012 Josh Hammond

After the jump, you can stream the deluxe version of Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing by The Wonder Years. Fans will enjoy the bonus tracks, previously unavailable.

…

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