CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL JENSEN "JOY, VOID, DESTROY EP" REVIEW
Filled with references to dirty politicians and nostalgia from the late eighties and early nineties, “Joy, Void, Destroy EP” is a seven-track rollercoaster ride worth taking.
Read MoreTHE HAVANA SLEEVE "BAKER-MILLER PINK" REVIEW
Less than ten seconds into the opening track “Wolves,” I decided I was going to review “Baker-Miller Pink,” the latest album from The Havana Sleeve, dropped back in April. A squeal of the guitar, then heavy riffs, tight minimalist drums, and big vocals all crash into motion at once and the album sets a pace that doesn’t let up until just over thirty-six minutes later as final distorted note of the closing track “20 Past 10” sputters out.
Read MoreKATY VERNON "SUIT OF HEARTS" REVIEW
As soon as you put on “Suit of Hearts,” the new album from Katy Vernon, you’ll notice two things, first the awesome quality of the band, and second Katy’s amazing voice. “Suit of Hearts” starts off with the up beat title track about being good enough as you are and how no one is defined by one moment in their lives, even the mistakes.
Read MoreJOE BARTEL "EXECUTIVE DYSFUNCTION" ALBUM PREVIEW
Joe Bartel’s new album “Executive Dysfunction” is infectious, and that’s not just referring to the bile, blood, and death he sings about. Bad puns aside this album is creative and dark in the way that’s hyperbolic and fun, while also tackling several subjects that are afflicting the world today.
Read MoreTHE SYMPTONES "IRRATIONAL FEARS / OVERACTIVE IMAGINATION" - REVIEW
“I’ll be your fall guy, that’s what I am” is the bright and catchy chorus that welcomes you to The Symptones’ wonderful concoction of rock, soul, punk, and folk entitled “Irrational Fears/Overactive Imagination.”
Read MoreRHINO SHRINE "MONDAY NIGHT LIVE" REVIEW
It’s incredibly difficult to describe the sound of Rhino Shrine, part blues, at times grunge vocals, quite a bit of funk, and oh yeah, there is a trumpet as well. As scattered as all this seems on paper Rhino Shrine blends it into a tight alternative sound that is unique to them and it’s on full display on “Monday Night Live,” their live radio album recorded at KVSC in St. Cloud.
Read MoreGENTLEMAN SPEAKER - "SELF-TITLED" REVIEW
Existential-folk melds with contemplative indie-rock on Gentleman Speaker’s “Self-Titled” album. The creativity in each song on the album is obvious even from the first track, “Bed We Made,” with the lyrics discussing how humans and the Earth have gotten along, but viewed from the Earth’s perspective.
Read MoreOKNICE "CALLOUS" EP PREVIEW
Anxiety, death, and coffee, the new EP “Callous” by OKnice is chill without being laid back, cynical with out being bleak, and heavy with out being inaccessible. The themes on “Callous” also include fame, success, money, and what it means to not have any of them.
Read MoreWHY NOT "EP" - REVIEW
From the moment the isolated guitar intro of “Ready 4 the World” kicks in I was hooked on “EP,” the latest offering from Why Not. Crunchy, distorted guitar, energetic bass, and thrashing drums make this EP a force.
Read MoreWRONG TO REMAIN SILENT
I’m going to be up front here, I love clever lyrics and songs about politics, and Nickle Nelly’s entire album “Wrong to Remain Silent” is jam-packed with both.
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