Posts Tagged ‘music review’

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REVIEW: The Dollyrots – The Dollyrots

August 29th, 2012 Grace Duffy

Artist: The Dollyrots
Album: The Dollyrots
Genre: Pop-punk/pop-rock
Label: Arrested Youth Records

Four albums in, it’s business as usual for pop rock duo The Dollyrots on this eponymous release. The band’s sound is clinically breezy and spirited as always; the album laden with feelgood, suitably infectious anthems and odes to carefree living. It’s a populist and thoroughly enjoyable record, with the only potential criticism the flimsiness of it all. It doesn’t seek to endure or engage or antagonise but is more about enjoyment and cheer, rejecting any darkness or gravitas in favour of something more upbeat and in-your-face. The Dollyrots…

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REVIEW: Just Like Vinyl – Black Mass

August 26th, 2012 Grace Duffy

Artist: Just Like Vinyl
Album: Black Mass
Genre: Rock, progressive, experimental
Label: Superball Music

I made a mental note as I was listening to this that perchance this is what Avenged Sevenfold sounded like to people who didn’t like them. You know: a certain throwback element and lots of greasy solos combined with gravelly vocals. Yes, I recognise that this is a needless comparison. But that’s what Black Mass makes me think of, and I can’t quite figure out whether I like this record or not. It has a great many wonderful things going for it – the sheer brazen …

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REVIEW: Sixpence None The Richer – Lost In Transition

August 14th, 2012 Grace Duffy

Artist: Sixpence None the Richer
Album: Lost in Transition
Genre: Pop
Label: Credential Recordings

Sixpence None the Richer have been on the go for so long that it seems they’ve perfected the art of the tastefully inoffensive. Far from pushing the boat out with Lost in Transition, they’ve scuppered a rather exciting and evocative opening half by letting it slip into wayward and unsatisfying repetition. That there were lengthy delays and problems surrounding the album’s release is clear in its music – not because they seem sloppy or piecemeal, but rather in that they’re undernourished. The opening tracks have …

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TwoDoorCinemaClub

REVIEW: Two Door Cinema Club – Beacon

August 9th, 2012 Grace Duffy

Artist: Two Door Cinema Club
Album: Beacon
Genre: Indie, alternative
Label: Kitsuné/Glassnote Records

Two Door Cinema Club have exploded in my neck of the woods (they are my countrymen) over the past couple of years, although they’ve never figured very prominently on my mp3. Moreover, the incessant use of their music on hipster telephone ads cemented their position as little more than an affable indie band in my head. Yet, there’s an incredible amount to love about this band – and don’t mistake my habitual indifference for distaste. TDCC offer a fresher take on a very particular sound, one that …

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snoop-dogg 2012

STREAM/DOWNLOAD: Snoop Dogg – Rollin In My Malibu

March 19th, 2012 James Shotwell

Helping keep hopes for a good Monday alive, Snoop unleashes a never-before-heard jam for your late night cruise.

“Rollin In My Malibu” is yet another track for those already halfway through their first smoke or drink of the evening. The beat is smooth, but the flower is smoother. Click past the jump to stream, download, and enjoy.

Snoop never stops working and always keeps fans first. Expect more songs, updates, and whatnot from the Doggfather in the coming weeks.

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Hit The Lights 2012

REVIEW: Hit The Lights – Invicta

January 21st, 2012 James Shotwell

Artist: Hit The Lights
Album: Invicta
Genre: Pop Rock/Alternative
Label: Razor & Tie

2012 has already proven to be an exciting year for music. From the reunion of two of the scene’s most influential bands, to the disbanding of many others, it is safe to say anything is possible this year. Those needing further evidence need look no further than Invicta, the third and most inspired effort from Ohio’s Hit The Lights.

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From Atlantis

REVIEW: From Atlantis – Echoes And Answers EP

December 16th, 2011 James Shotwell

Artist: From Atlantis
Album: Echoes and Answers EP
Genre: Hardcore/electronic/metal
Label: InVogue Records

Providence six-piece From Atlantis show immense promise on their debut EP Echoes and Answers. A dynamic and exhilarating work, it’s ambitious and majestic and hints at real, unique visionary potential. The band demonstrate a pleasing tendency to add a little bit of depth and splendour to the guitar/drum/growling mainstay of heavy music, though unfortunately their efforts aren’t always properly rewarded. Their enthusiasm for brash experimentation sometimes leads to a stumble but if one overlooks the occasional structural defect, the band’s clear passion stands out.

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REVIEW: William Control – Nouvus Ordo Selcorum

November 28th, 2011 James Shotwell

Artist: William Control
Album: Nouvus Ordo Selcorum
Genre: Wil Francis
Label: self-released

Now over a decade into his career, Wil Francis has traversed a vast musical landscape. From his early punk days of scene glory with Aiden on Nightmare Anatomy, to his sonic journey of self discover that flooded Conviction, and the later releases which showcased that he had not only found his voice, but knew what needed to be said, Wil has repeatedly proven he is going to do whatever he wants. There is perhaps no clearer example of this than his work on William Control, the …

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dockslo

REVIEW: Down With Webster – Time To Win Volume 2

November 25th, 2011 James Shotwell

Artist: Down with Webster
Album: Time to Win Volume 2
Genre: Rap/rock
Label: Universal Music

The second full-length album from Canadian band Down With Webster is a whole world of fun. It’s a cool and exciting marriage of rap and rock, full of life and energy and guaranteed to leave you reeling in the aisles. It’s fast-paced and exhilarating throughout, but deftly mixes a diverse range of sounds, lyrical themes, and instruments so as to ensure there’s something thought-provoking for every mindless jam.

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REVIEW: Rihanna – Talk That Talk

November 16th, 2011 James Shotwell

Artist: Rihanna
Album: Talk That Talk
Genre: Pop
Label: Def Jam

Not that I’d ever hop on the ‘oh won’t someone please think of the children’ bandwagon, but Rihanna’s influence on the younger peeps actually concerns me. Even more so now I’ve had to listen to a whole album at once.

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REVIEW: City Lights – In It To Win It

November 13th, 2011 James Shotwell

Artist: City Lights
Album: In It to Win It
Genre: Pop-punk
Label: InVogue Records

The following is the Allmusic definition of pop-punk: “a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars.” I would much rather refer to it as the bastardization of punk music. So much of pop punk is radio-friendly effluence that strips every veneer of respectability from its association with punk. It’s supposed to be irreverent and anarchic, a bit rogue, a bit in-your-face and have a lot to say. It’s not supposed to sound like something Nickelodeon …

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counterparts

REVIEW: Counterparts – The Current Will Carry Us

November 3rd, 2011 James Shotwell

Artist: Counterparts
Album: The Current Will Carry Us
Genre: Melodic Hardcore
Label: Victory Records

About six months ago, I moved back to DC from Boston, I love both those cities with all my heart, I grew up in DC, and I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of living here, but I still miss Boston everyday; I miss the delightfully trashy house parties in Allston, I miss getting coffee from Dunks everyday, I don’t miss the weather at all, or trying to find parking, but above all that, I miss the music scene. We have a few notable bands in …

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