It’s pretty common practice for a band to release a covers record. But a record of knock-offs? Amon Amarth included “Under the Influence” as a bonus disc to their album “Deceiver of the Gods.” It was intended as an homageRead more…
Bibio – Green
If you’ve been checking my posts on Plastic and Wax you’d be forgiven for thinking I only listen to hip hop. Another favorite sound of mine I going to describe as downtempo electronic folk. I listen to quite a fewRead more…
Bit Brigade – Ninja Band
You’ve got to admire Bit Brigade’s painstaking attention to detail. With “Ninja Band,” they’ve recorded note-for-note covers of the soundtracks from the NES Ninja Gaiden games. Tecmo’s series of side-scrollers were notorious for two things: their brutal difficulty and theirRead more…
Noah 23 – Light Years
The Guelph Oracle Noah 23 is back with a new album titled Light Years. It was released July 23rd and is a collaboration with producer David Klopek. Noah describes this album as abstract throwback boom bap. After two excellent albumsRead more…
Anamanaguchi – Endless Fantasy
My introduction to chiptune-powered outfit Anamanaguchi came many years ago when the gamer-centric (and immensely influential) website Penny-Arcade linked to their “Power Supply” EP. I was immediately hooked by this band creating original music using what sounded like an oldRead more…
Young Planet – New Fast Automatic
Young Planet is New York based rapper Cidida and producer Eibol. New Fast Automatic is a free album they released earlier this year. New Fast Automatic follows their previous album, Ludwig Can You Hear Me which is also a free download.Read more…
The Antlers – Familiars
I really wanted to like Familiars. To date, The Antlers have a stellar track record of majestic space-rock. 2009’s Hospice was a head-trip of sad-bastard melodrama. A concept record revolving around the trials of spending one’s days around the soonRead more…
Guiltfeeder – Shadow People
I don’t get hardcore bands like Guiltfeeder. I mean, I kind of get them. They are to music what brutal, gory, horror movies are to film. It seems less of an exercise in musicality but rather a display of aggression,Read more…
Phantom – The Powers That Be
Over the past couple years, Toronto has been going through a revival of old-school heavy metal. Metalheads will recognize the term NWOBHM which stands for “New Wave of British Heavy Metal.” This movement started in the early 80’s with theRead more…
Armand Hammer – Race Music
Armand Hammer is a duo consisting of New York rappers Billy Woods and Elucid. I recently saw their video for the song “The Rent Is Too Damn High” and really liked what I heard. Unfortunately their Race Music album isRead more…