Scott Heisel

Contributions

10 essential songs about being thankful that you need to hear

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not the time when you get a bunch of candy just for putting on a costume or the time when you get a bunch of presents from relatives who otherwise never communicate with you. It’s time for Thanksgiving, the one day of the year when, hopefully, […]

The City On Film, “Stray” song premiere and interview with Bob Nanna

In some ways, getting fired might have been the best thing that ever happened to BOB NANNA. The prolific musician was laid off from his longtime job at T-shirt company Threadless in the beginning of 2014. But instead of wallowing in misery like so many of us might, he became über-inspired artistically. First came the […]

11 records (and one cassette) you should risk life and limb for this Black Friday Record Store Day

Okay, yeah, Black Friday is kind of gross. People trample over each other to get an HDTV or Beats headphones at a slightly discounted price, and the whole thing just reeks of consumerism sucking our culture into a deep, dark hole from which it’s nearly impossible to emerge. Fear not, however! The happiest places on […]

Circa Survive deliver consistent quality plus sonic curveballs on 'Descensus'

Circa Survive Descensus At some point, it probably becomes fruitless to review new Circa Survive records. The band are a model of sonic and psychic consistency, ever since they brought us the explosive debut album Juturna in 2005 and through their dabblings in psych-punk (2007’s On Letting Go), ’90s alt-rock (2010’s Blue Sky Noise) and […]

“I remember a feeling of dread after making it”—Cursive’s Tim Kasher on ‘The Ugly Organ’

When we assembled our annual “Class Of…” special last year, in which we look back at 10 records from a decade prior that shaped the punk of today, including CURSIVE’s 2003 breakthrough The Ugly Organ was an absolute no-brainer. The Omaha-based post-hardcore quintet led by TIM KASHER hit an artistic stride with the album and […]

Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways

Foo Fighters Sonic Highways Conceived in tandem with the HBO docuseries of the same name, each of Sonic Highways’ eight tracks aligns with a city in which Foo Fighters lived and drew inspiration from, including New Orleans, Seattle, Chicago and Nashville. “In The Clear” is a massive anthem with a thick, punchy brass section; “Something […]

Zookeeper - Pink Chalk

Zookeeper Pink Chalk Chris Simpson has been pulled back into the spotlight thanks to the ongoing emo revival—his old band, Mineral, are currently on an extensive reunion tour. But Simpson has long since moved on musically, playing fragile, Neutral Milk Hotel-esque folk under the name Zookeeper since 2006. Pink Chalk is a sophomore album three […]

“It’s fun to revisit earlier inspiration”—Minus The Bear’s Dave Knudson on old B-sides and new jams

As they approach their 15th year of active duty next year, prog-rock quintet MINUS THE BEAR are taking a moment to look at the past this fall. First up is the recent release of Lost Loves, a 10-song collection of B-sides and rarities recorded alongside 2007’s Planet Of Ice, 2010’s Omni and 2012’s Infinity Overhead. […]

12 ’90s Emo Bands That Need To Reunite Already

 It’s all the rage nowadays: All the punk and emo bands the current generation of music fans didn’t get to see in their prime are being pulled out of retirement. Some do a full tour or two (Mineral, Sunny Day Real Estate); others play shows here and there (Refused, At The Drive-In, Cap’n Jazz, the […]
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