Category Archives: Album Reviews

Marnie Stern- She’s Killer

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20130325-101427.jpg photo by meetyouattheshow

Every female at sxsw wanted to be Marnie Stern from Kill Rock Stars. She has made many “Greatest Female Guitarist” lists due to her confident and technical fretboard tapping style. Heavily layered music with so much jingle-jangle it almost makes my head spin, this is perfect music for exercising or dancing frustrations away. She can scream with the best of them, too, while at the same time coming across like a modern day Juliana Hatfield.

quick video of her shredding technique

link to full audio of the new album and pre-order

Marnie Stern Tour Dates

Akron/Family “Sub Genres” new album review

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Akron/Family – This crazy experimental rock band from indie label Dead Oceans is famous for their wild, high energy live shows. The new album captures the joy and fun you feel at the shows perfectly. Layered and hypnotic, this album gets you to that blissful level. It kicks off with a bang with “No Room”, linked below, and the album blends so cohesively all the way to “Samurai”, leaving you with a feeling of peaceful calm. Fans of their earlier work are going to love this. They will be playing in Denver at the Larimer Lounge on 4/10, buy your ticket now, it will sell out.

List of Tour Dates

Video and Audio for “No Room”

20130323-130223.jpg photo by dlanderson

You Me & Us – Fuzzy Beach Pop Punk

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20130322-224015.jpg photo by leslieloudspeaker

You Me & Us Just the distorted sweet but irritated vocals beachy fuzzy pop punk I’ve been looking for. There will obviously be many comparisons to Rilo Kiley, but You Me & Us get the point across in two minute punches that pack a lot of bite. Listen and download their EP in its’ entirety here and see them live ASAP: You Me & Us and tour schedule (and no, it doesn’t quite make sense to me either unless they book way in advance): You Me & Us Tour Dates

Sub Pop New Album Reviews for March

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The Ruby Suns Christopher – dreamy synth-pop from New Zealand with danceable beats and haunting vocals. I would put this album on when cooking dinner for a special lady friend. Favorite track: “Drammatikk” Kingfisher Call Me Video

Pissed Jeans Honeys – raucous crazy fuzz-filled riffs and high energy, hardcore rock/punk band from Allentown, PA, heard them from the street in sxsw and was completely blown away, they can even get old people to slam dance. I’m pretty sure the drummer is not human, arms should not be able to go that fast. Check them out for loud, sweaty fun. Favorite track: “Cathouse” Bathroom Laughter Video

Mogwai Les Revenants – big, beautiful sounds with minimal vocals, lush instrumentation, the band has been around for years but the new album sounds perfectly modern. I’m a sucker for cello so this album sucked me in right away. Slow, steady, lush soundscapes. Favorite Track: Modern Hungry Face Video

Survival Knife Name That Tune 7″ – Out of Olympia, WA, this 7″ has two fantastic singles on it, brand spanking new band and recording (but not brand new musicians). They have a King Crimson sound to them that lovers of rock will dig. Keep your eyes on these guys. Favorite track: “Name That Tune”

Low The Invisible Way – 20 years later, this band still gives me goosebumps. Minimalistic instruments, shockingly beautiful lyrics, vocals and harmonies. Their new album makes me want to take a road trip to the Badlands. Fans of Neutral Milk Hotel will love this new album, produced by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. Melancholy beauty at it’s finest. Favorite track: Plastic Cup Plastic Cup- amazing lyrics