I don’t usually listen to folk singer-songwriters. But when I do, I listen to Jesca Hoop. In 2010 Jesca Hoop released “Hunting My Dress”. For her U.S. tour, in an opening slot for Eels, she performed as a solo acousticRead more…
Big Sugar – Yardstyle
“Yardstyle” is the latest release from Big Sugar. After taking a lengthy hiatus while bandleader Gordie Johnson was in Texas with Grady focusing on the his heavy blues persona, the band reformed in 2010 and released the heavily reggaefied “RevolutionsRead more…
Fozzy – Do You Wanna Start a War
Fozzy has been fighting an uphill battle since their inception. They originally formed as a cover-band with each member using a pseudonym. Guitarist “The Duke” was actually Rich Ward of Stuck Mojo fame and lead singer Mongoose McQueen was professionalRead more…
Night Mistress – Into The Madness
I stumbled upon Poland-based Night Mistress and their debut full-length “The Back of Beyond” while searching online for NWOBHM bands I hadn’t heard before. They stood apart from the pack with their fast-paced ragers, strong guitar leads and incredible vocalRead more…
Death From Above 1979 – The Physical World
Toronto’s bass and drum duo return with their first album after abruptly calling it a day 8 years ago. The band pleasantly shocked fans when they equally as abruptly reunited in 2011, which included a literally riotous SXSW set that sameRead more…
The Atlas Moth – The Old Believer
My first experience with The Atlas Moth was last September at Lee’s Palace. They were the opening act and put their melodic sludge metal on display. While I felt their set was a bit on the long side, as theRead more…
Guilty Simpson – The Simpson Tape
Unlike most “mixtapes” these days, The Simpson Tape is an actual tape released for Stones Throw’s “cassette store day” popup. It features 5 tracks produced by Oh No b/w the instrumentals. It is also available as a download. Although itRead more…
Moist – Glory Under Blackened Skies
As far as 90’s revivals go, Moist has to be one of the most unlikely. Three albums with EMI (the excellent “Silver” and “Creature” and the not-quite-so-good “Mercedes Five and Dime”) capped by a compilation of singles and rare tracksRead more…
Diverse – One AM
Released in 2003 One AM is fire from beginning to end. With production from RJD2, Prefuse 73 and Madlib and guest raps from Lyrics Born, Jean Grae and Mos Def it’s a very impressive debut. Unfortunately the follow up albumRead more…
Electric Wizard – Time To Die
Just in time for Halloween, doom metal kings Electric Wizard have unleashed another album. As with any of their records, it’s pretty much a given that it’ll contain huge, sludgy, Sabbathian riffs baked over slow and thunderous dirges lasting tenRead more…