Genre: Intergalactic Symphonic Metal Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 8.5/10 Commentary: Fly high into space to charge my Laser Powered Goblin Smasher! Fly high into space to wield my Thunder Striking Wizard Thrasher! Fly high into space to raise my Heavy Metal Darklord Crasher! More info: here. Listen: here.
Genre: Reggae Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 7/10 Commentary: There is a cricket on the moon, apparently. And, there’s this quote, which somehow makes it all make sense “My socks are telepathic. My pants are telepathic. Everything I wear is telepathic! I have a cap that I like a lot. It gives me my… Read More »
Genre: Nostalgia Rock Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 7/10 Commentary: So with the many extra bonus tracks I just assumed this was a reissue of back catalog (especially since it includes the excellent “Out of All This Blue”, again).. but apparently this is a whole new album which I didn’t realize for several weeks..… Read More »
Genre: Electronic Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 9/10 Commentary: This grows on you. Solitary, and thoughtful. More info: here. Listen: here.
Genre: Rock Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 8.5/10 Commentary: Sad, of course. And good. Hard to believe these were demo vocal recordings. More info: here. Listen: here.
It’s been a really good month for the genre. Doug Seegers – A Story I got to Tell Genre: Your Dad’s Country Rating: 9/10 Commentary: Perfectly traditional, and really good. Listen here Ian Noe – Between the Country Genre: Interstitial Appalachian folk Rating: 8/10 Commentary: Modern Appalachian country. Not self-mocking,… Read More »
Genre: Americana Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 3.5/10 Commentary: Almost unlistenably smug and tedious, another ineffectual contribution to the culture wars from the Felice Brothers. More info: here. Listen: here.
Genre: Broadway Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 7.5/10 Commentary: Devin Townsend is sort of a thrash metal granddad. All the reviews describe this album as uncharacterizable and groundbreakingly creative. It is only uncharacterizable because the reviewers didn’t grow up listening to Broadway musical scores. It is a musical. A heavy metal musical. 8.5/10 for… Read More »
Genre: Folk/drone Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 9/10 Commentary: This is is new artist for me, and my first real exposure to Northumbrian smallpipes. So far, one of the best albums of the year. More info: here. Listen: here.
Genre: Classical Format Reviewed: Spotify 320 kbps Rating: 5.5/10 Commentary:So I really like pop culture takes on this symphony. For example Colin Stetson’s 2016 version is one of my favorite albums in recent years. This version with rock singer Beth Gibbons (Portishead) is interesting but, I think, ultimately unsuccessful. Beth’s voice is to flat and… Read More »