rock/metal albums
Album Review: AWOLNATION – Here come the runts
I was as confused about the title of this record as most people. It sounds like the title of a whacky new cartoon someone is pitching to Nickelodeon. So understandably I was more than curious to listen to this new offering from AWOLNATION. Aaron Bruno and his gang are what I would define as truly …
Album Review: Marmozets – Knowing What You Know Now
I was up one night watching a wrestling special – NXT Takeover to be precise. The official theme for that event was a track from a British band I was not familiar with. “Pretty cool” I thought to myself; an upstart act getting such large exposure (wrestling fan or not, you cannot deny that there …
Album Review: The Vietnam War – The Soundtrack
How do you tackle a subject as divisive as Vietnam? Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s epic ten part series was ten years in the making and made a particular effort to interview those that had a direct involvement rather than have highly paid experts give the talking head led historical perspective. Instead this documentary series …
Album Review: Steve Miller Band – Ultimate Hits
Released as both single and double disc compilations, Ultimate Hits is an odd one. The single disc does everything a compilation should do, giving the listener the feel for the Steve Miller Band’s long career, whereas the double disc version I am reviewing is a game attempt to fill a particular niche. The single disc …
New Music: Mogwai, Every Country’s Sun
Scotland’s Mogwai are one of those bands that have been on the periphery of my vision (or hearing?) for many years, receiving strong critical acclaim and amassing a huge and dedicated following. I just haven’t had room on my brimming musical plate to encompass them, and to be honest the idea of a (mostly) instrumental …
Album Review: Little Steven – Soulfire
For anyone to successfully step out of the shadow of one of the iconic figures in American popular song is a rare thing. To do so and return to the familiar shadow later, with their own career in full swing and successfully diversified, is a rare thing. While Little Steven will forever be associated with …
Album Review: Paramore – After Laughter
It’s been a good four years since Paramore released any new music to the world and with a few member changes (including ex-drummer Zac Farro re-joining the band); they’re back and as strong as they’ve ever been. Opening track Hard Times has been doing the rounds for a few weeks now; the jaunty sound to …
Album Review: Motionless In White- Graveyard Shift
Halloween’s biggest advocates are back- Motionless In White are here; a wealth of their trademark macabre in tow, along with their fourth full length album. Graveyard Shift indeed does see Chris Motionless and co. visit sounds on paths they’ve not tread before- but ultimately it proves to the world that Motionless In White can still do …
Album Review: Me And That Man- Songs Of Love & Death
Ordinarily, Nergal finds himself at the helm of one of the black metal scene’s biggest staple bands, Behemoth. However, his side project- a collaboration with rock musician John Porter- Me And That Man couldn’t seem more different on the surface. While still encompassing an evocative, dark aesthetic, Songs Of Love & Death has allowed Nergal …
Album Review: Thunder – Rip It Up
There has always been something comforting about Thunder. Perhaps it’s their no frills approach to the classic hard rock sound, perhaps it is down to their reliable quality in terms of output (from 1990’s Back Street Symphony to Rip it Up, they’re still recognisably the same band in terms of their sound, with relatively few …