BEEF: BEEF [Album Review]

BEEFBEEFFeel It Records [2023] BEEF’s lineup is led by Takoda Hortenberry, who takes on the roles of both drummer and lead vocalist. His wife, Ally, contributes her skills on keys and vocals, while John Hoffman (Vacation) handles the bass duties. Guitarist Sam Richardson, who also happens to be the founder of Feel It Records, completes … Read more

rocky: rocky [Album Review]

rockyrockyLulu’s Sonic Disc Club [2023] Australia’s rocky is a new recording project featuring Xanthe Waite (Terry, Primo) and Raven Mahon (Grass Widow, Green Child). The album is a fantastic slice of modern post-punk at its roots but is presented in a much more artistic package. The album swings big by actually giving less as its … Read more

Nils Lofgren: Mountains [Album Review]

Nils LofgrenMountainsCattle Track Road Records [2023] Unless you’re one of those people that read the album credits, checking out who produced, who played bass, who guested on which guitar solo, there’s a chance you’ve missed Nils Lofgren’s storied career. While only 19 years old, Lofgren played guitar and piano on Neil Young’s After the Gold … Read more

The Budos Band: Frontier’s Edge [Album Review]

The Budos BandFrontier’s EdgeDiamond West Records [2023] The Budos Band, known for their unique instrumental blend of Afrobeat, funk, soul, and psychedelic rock, has once again delivered a powerful and mesmerizing release with their new mini-album, Frontier’s Edge. The band enters a new era after a two-decade run with the legendary Daptone Records. Frontier’s Edge … Read more

Ceramic Dog: Connection [Album Review]

Ceramic DogConnectionKnockwurst Records [2023] If you’re a fan of alternative Americana rock, there’s no chance you haven’t heard Marc Ribot’s play guitar, and I’d bet even without knowing who was playing you were blown away by how it was perfect for the moment, and yet completely outside of the box of your usual expectations. Ribot’s … Read more

Blur: The Ballad Of Darren [Album Review]

BlurThe Ballad Of DarrenParlophone/Warner Records [2023] It’s almost impossible to imagine the pressures—whether on the outside from fans and the press, or relationally between the band’s 4 musicians, each pursuing their diverse side-projects, or as artists living in the shadow of your previous triumphs—on Brit-pop band, Blur, as they reconvene to record their 9th studio … Read more

Guided By Voices: Welshpool Frillies [Album Review]

Guided By VoicesWelshpool FrilliesGBV Inc. [2023] Figuring out how to rate a new Guided By Voices album is hard. Do I compare it against the most recent albums or their entire discography? How will I feel about it after the next four come out? Will the hardcore fans think I’m being too harsh? Will the … Read more

Chris Stamey: The Great Escape [Album Review]

Chris StameyThe Great EscapeCar/Schoolkids Records [2023] If your cultural antenna are tuned toward the rise of alternative music in the southeast late 70’s & early 80’s, from places like Athens, GA and Chapel Hill, NC, then no doubt the name Chris Stamey may register in your memory even if you can’t quite place the what … Read more

Mammatus: Expanding Majesty [Album Review]

MammatusExpanding MajestySilver Current Records [2023] Mammatus, the experimental rock band known for their elaborate compositions and mind-bending sonic journeys, has returned after 8 years with their latest offering, “Expanding Majesty.” With this album, the California-based group takes us on a 69-minute immersive musical expedition over 4 tracks, diving deep into the realms of psychedelic space … Read more

PJ Harvey: I Inside The Old Year Dying [Album Review]

PJ HarveyI Inside The Old Year DyingPartisan Records [2023] To indie and alternative rock fans, PJ Harvey is well-known for early aggressive art-rock albums delivered with punk intensity, and her later works for her socio/political commentary and insights. Few are aware that she’s an artistic polymath, a sculptor, painter, and poet as well as a … Read more

M. Ward: Supernatural Thing [Album Review]

M. WardSupernatural ThingANTI- [2023] For singer/songwriter, instrumentalist and renowned producer, M. Ward the art and creativity at the heart of making music is a Supernatural Thing. In the album’s title song, he shares a message from Elvis, the original one from Memphis, that when it comes to direction, “you can go anywhere you please.” Drawing … Read more

The Alarm: Forwards [Album Review]

The AlarmForwardsThe Twenty First Century Recording Company [2023] The first time anyone heard Welsh band The Alarm in No. America, they opened the last half or U2’s “War” tour in ‘83, with little more than their 5-song eponymous debut EP on IRS Records to promote. With their tall, spiked hair, and amped up acoustic guitars … Read more

Squid: O Monolith [Album Review]

SquidO MonolithWarp Records [2023] Squid’s debut album Bright Green Field (2021) instantly set them apart from many the other UK-based acts that garnered attention in indie rock circles at the time. While they’re often compared to bands like black midi or Black Country, New Road for their spoken word-style vocals, Bright Green Field highlights Squid’s … Read more

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: PetroDragonic Apocalypse; Or, Dawn Of Eternal Night: An Annihilation Of Planet Earth And The Beginning Of Merciless Damnation [Album Review]

King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardPetroDragonic Apocalypse; Or, Dawn Of Eternal Night: An Annihilation Of Planet Earth And The Beginning Of Merciless DamnationKGLW [2023] King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard is back with their 24th album, PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation. This … Read more

Sparks: The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte [Album Review]

SparksThe Girl Is Crying In Her LatteIsland Records [2023] Sparks’ twenty-first century resurgence is one of the greatest comeback stories in popular music. After several brushes with stardom in the 1970s and early 80s, the Mael brothers were burnt out and nearly forgotten by the early 90s. Perpetually ahead of their time, the band began … Read more

miniaturized: miniaturized [Album Review]

miniaturizedminiaturizedSelf-Released [2023] According to the bio for the release from the San Diego band’s self-titled debut, the band miniaturized formed to play a one-off charity event for MusicCares, which was a tribute to Tom Petty. No doubt inspired by the way the master craftsman and inspired songwriter wrote music that rocked with undeniable authority, while … Read more

Jenny Lewis: Joy’All [Album Review]

Jenny LewisJoy’AllBlue Note/Capitol Records [2023] There’s a determined, purposeful up-tempo feel on Jenny Lewis’ fifth solo project, the aptly titled Joy’All. It’s as if the former child actor and former Rilo Kiley singer has decided that little is gained by holding on to past harms when you can “follow your joy’all.” But she’s not living … Read more

RVG: Brain Worms [Album Review]

RVGBrain WormsFire Records [2023] Melbourne post-punk quartet RVG’s third album, Brain Worms, is a bold and ambitious record that sees the band expanding their sound with the addition of synths while staying true to their roots. The album is once again filled with catchy melodies, driving rhythms, and Romy Vager’s sharp, insightful lyrics. RVG harkens … Read more

Maya Ongaku: Approach To Anima [Album Review]

Maya OngakuApproach To AnimaGuruguru Brain [2023] Maya Ongaku is a trio hailing from the seaside communities surrounding Enoshima, a small island located 50 km southwest of Tokyo, Japan. The group earned a bunch of early fans as they were an opener for label mate Kikagaku Moyo’s final tour. Approach To Anima is their debut album, … Read more

Rufus Wainwright: Folkocracy [Album Review]

Rufus WainwrightFolkocracyBMG [2023] While it took him 25 years, after making sophisticated pop albums both of the classic past and more modern pop as well as exploring the world of opera and classical music, Rufus Wainwright, the child of two well-known folk artists and what he describes as “a bona fide folkocracy,” has finally gotten … Read more

Beach Fossils: Bunny [Album Review]

Beach FossilsBunnyBayonet Records [2023] Beach Fossils, the indie rock band hailing from Brooklyn, has returned after five years with their fourth studio album, Bunny. Known for their dreamy and introspective sound, the band’s latest offering takes their signature style to new heights. Bunny is a dreamy, hazy, and ultimately uplifting album that showcases the band’s … Read more

Foo Fighters: But Here We Are [Album Review]

Foo FightersBut Here We AreRoswell/RCA Records [2023] Arriving a few months over a year from the unexpected, tragic death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, the 11th album from Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters is dripping with grief, an emotion no doubt heightened by the death of his 84-year-old mother, Virginia Grohl, last August. Throughout the history of … Read more

Water From Your Eyes: Everyone’s Crushed [Album Review]

Water From Your EyesEveryone’s CrushedMatador Records [2023] Water From Your Eyes, the Brooklyn-based duo comprised of Nate Amos and Rachel Brown, has returned with Everyone’s Crushed, an album that defies easy categorization, blending elements of indie rock, experimental pop, post-punk, and electronica. Drawing influences from bands like Animal Collective, Björk, and Radiohead, the duo has … Read more

Vanity Mirror: Puff [Album Review]

Vanity MirrorPuffWe Are Busy Bodies [2023] The duo of Toronto-based Brent Randall (Gentle Brent) and Los Angeles-dwelling Johnny Toomey (The Turns) is known for their previous achievements with the Los Angeles-based baroque-pop group, The Electric Looking Glass. Both musicians complement each other stylistically as Vanity Mirror’s debut album shows their knack for crafting songs that … Read more

The Bug Club: Green Dream In F# [Album Review]

The Bug ClubGreen Dream In F#Bingo/We Are Busy Bodies [2022/2023] The Bug Club’s debut album, Green Dream In F#, was originally released late last year by UK label Bingo Records. We Are Busy Bodies has just recently released it officially in North America to spread its charming and eclectic collection of songs that deftly blends … Read more