Contributions
Elliot Smith shines with raw brilliance in 'Heaven Adores You Soundtrack'
Elliot Smith Heaven Adores You Soundtrack This lovingly crafted bio-doc soundtrack reveals a keen ear for the late Elliott Smith’s subtle beauties and heart-skinning lyricism, equally exposing the genius of his head and his hands. It wasn’t just what he sang but how he played it, uniting transcendent melody with poetic portraits of wounded hope. […]
Torche has made "the best Rush album ever" with 'Restarter'
Torche Restarter After fiddling about with peculiarly doomy indie rock four albums in, Torche have gotten around to completing their mission—making the best damn Rush album ever. The Miami quartet always had the prog side of that equation locked down while demonstrating uncommon focus compared to their noodling peers. What’s been lacking until now though, are the […]
The Dead Milkmen - Pretty Music For Pretty People
The Dead Milkmen Pretty Music For Pretty People The Dead Milkmen often seemed to labor in the shadow of their fellow Philadelphia brethren Ween, especially after ceding the smart-ass musician floor to them and They Might Be Giants with their 1995 dissolution. The Milkmen reunited in 2008 and in 2011 released The King In Yellow. […]
The Madden Brothers - Greetings From California
The Madden Brothers Greetings From California We all knew the Joel and Benji Madden were fond of a pop hook, but who knew behind the simple presentation and ebullient teenage smirk of Good Charlotte laid baroque pop sophistication? That’s one of the flavors the Madden Brothers sample as they make a break from their pop-punk […]
Chris Farren/Grey Gordon - Ducks Fly Together EP
Chris Farren/Grey Gordon Ducks Fly Together EP This split EP offers four strummy acoustic paeans to love lost, the most dynamic pair belonging to Fake Problems singer Chris Farren. But all are very well-written, speaking with frank straightforwardness with which it’s easy to identify. It kicks off with the best track, Farren’s “Eagle Eyes.” It […]
Rust Belt Lights - Religion & My Ex
Rust Belt Lights Religion & My Ex Buffalo, New York, quintet Rust Belt Lights' second full-length doesn’t skimp on energy nor fall prey to leaden lines. The 12-song disc crackles with machine-gun drum rhythms and crashing hard-candy guitars bashing out pop-punk hooks. Frontman Zach Dietsch’s songs vacillate between lovelorn ache and no-surrender anthems, but even though the […]
The Saddest Landscape & My Fictions - When You Are Close, I Am Gone EP
The Saddest Landscape & My Fictions When You Are Close, I Am Gone EP This three-song release includes a track by each of the bands and one collaborative composition between the Topshelf Records acts. It’s a worthwhile Dollar Menu exploration allowing for experimentation as well as a taste of their individual oeuvres. My Fictions are […]
Caspian - Hymn For The Greatest Generation EP
Caspian Hymn For The Greatest Generation EP Caspian's new EP is the follow-up to last year’s buzzworthy third album Waking Season, and the band's first release since the sudden death of bassist Chris Friedrich earlier this year. As an instrumental act, an EP of a couple unreleased tracks, a demo and a couple remixes can […]
Veara - Growing Up Is Killing Me
Veara Growing Up Is Killing Me Growing up without growing stale isn’t easy—a lot more creative heat’s been expended on coming of age or chasing the flame than exploring the softer edge of maturity. That shouldn’t diminish Veara’s triumph. The Augusta, Georgia, quartet’s third album keenly weighs that moment at the conclusion of your 20s […]