Throughout this gorgeous collection of music Sykes’ voice crisscrosses the paper-thin rift between deep pain and true bliss, enabling songs to drift into the ether in between. Slower moments build with a creepy, meandering flow before bursts of swirling psychedelic rock attack that would make Comets on Fire proud. This is heavy.
What may come as a surprise is that Cinderella have been touring successfully most summers with no new album to promote. But they love this and love to play for their fans. “You know, we don’t have all the fancy tricks and stuff,” said LaBar. “We just rely on our playing and we take a lot of pride in our actual playing and putting on a good show … If we were doing an arena tour, we’d have some pyro or something. We’d blow up some stuff (laughs). But we’re more into the music and the playing and putting on a show with our actual bodies.”
One could argue that trip hop as it stood in the mid-90s simply should stay in the past, and that Karmacoda is an evolution of that sound. However, other bands disprove that point: to wit Halou and arguably the Thievery Corporation, and others have beautifully picked up the trip hop banner, regardless whether they carry it explicitly.
There is an air of authenticity lent to Field Songs, William Elliott Whitmore’s second full-length release. Growing up and residing on a farm in rural Iowa, Whitmore has worked on and reaped the benefits of the land that he praises and exults throughout the album’s eight tracks.
Those who have been following the progress of The London Souls since their technical formation in 2008 know that their rise as a power trio has been hard fought through their steadiness to relentlessly tour all alleys of the New York music scene. Nearly a year and a half after the recording of their debut album was complete The London Souls come through ready to document their official introduction. In the time following album’s completion it’s as if the focus was geared to the performance and delivery of their sound in a way that could captivate fans through live shows, in any type of venue.
Vek is still young, but the six-year gap between releases raises flags about his long-term growth and development as an artist. Leisure Seizure offers much to get excited about and a great deal of potential from which to build. However, there is just as much material to skip over, which on the other hand raises concerns about Vek’s DIY mentality.
Once again the hot and humid Minnesota air could not keep the Vans Warped Tour goers from gathering to watch 75 bands perform on seven stages, all within the same day. With temperatures in the 90’s, it was definitely a shorts and flip-flop kind of day. Sunburns and sweaty teens filled Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota on the Vans Warped Tour’s 16th visit to the state.
There’s something endearing about a handwritten note in a promo or review album copy. And that’s what this writer found in Old Californio’s Sundrunk Angels. Some might see it as currying favor, but when an album is this strong, no note is really necessary.
Rabbits on the Run is unequivocally Carlton’s best effort yet; a beautiful culmination of years of soaring highs and devastating lows, rolled into an elegant, thoughtful collection of ten songs.
While someone not familiar with the history of Mick Jagger or the Rolling Stones would probably find “The Roaring 20s” enlightening, for established fans there is not a whole lot to learn by watching it.
