By Jake Crown, November 2008
Creating Problems While Practising Solutions, Household Name Records
Milloy is a fast, catchy punk rock band from across the pond in Wakefield, England. They owe a lot to bands like Hot Water Music and Leatherface, but manage to sneak in a little of their own style. Read the rest of this entry »
By Fred Sowder, November 2008
How to Walk Away, Ye Olde Records
For former Blake Babies member Juliana Hatfield, the ease of making records seems pretty apparent. Since her solo debut Hey Babe in 1992, she has recorded 10 other records, not to mention her involvement with other projects. Read the rest of this entry »
By Fred Sowder, November 2008
Motion to Rejoin, Matador Records
This third record from the appropriately named duo of Naybob Shineywater and Rachael Hughes is perfect comedown music for your next after-hours party. Trodding over nine tracks with dirge-like abandon, BBML make the ethereal sounds of Mazzy Star seem like dancehall reggae. Read the rest of this entry »
By Dan Fitzpatrick, October 2008
Threshold Dances, Cosmos Records (UK)
Under their new guise as Prince Rama of Ayodhya, the Dasi kids – remember them? – took their slightly angular, always fun indie-DIY-punk-pop act up to Boston, and added a whole slew of exciting, Eastern elements to their aural palette. Nimai Larson’s drum set morphed into a djembe. Read the rest of this entry »
By Jake Crown, October 2008
Hindsight is 20/20, My Friend, Dirtnap Records
The Ergs wrote the catchiest pop punk songs about girls, ever, period. They have broken up, but it looks like we will all get one more chance to freak out and act like teenagers again when they play the Fest 7. If you are reading this and you love bands like the Descendents, and the Ramones, go buy an Ergs record. This album is a compilation of B-sides, 7-inches, and covers (The Beatles, Nirvana, Gin Blossoms, Paul Baribeau). Dear The Ergs, please don’t break up. Say it’s not true. Who will sing the songs for the broken hearted? Love, Jake.
By Sarah Wears-Garcia, October 2008
It’s All Geographical, Self-Released
Less than a year after the release of their 2007 debut album Temporary Living, Cherokee offers up It’s All Geographical, an EP featuring three new songs from frontman Zach Hinkle. Read the rest of this entry »
By Giselle Mazur, October 2008
We’ve Created a Monster, True False Records
With their new album, We’ve Created a Monster, it’s easy to see why T13C, formerly Ten 13 Concept, has been featured on “Making the Band” and “America’s Got Talent.” The dance rock album has all the makings of a great pop record: danceable melodies, layered sing-along style harmonies and yes, even clapping. My favorite track is definitely “I Wouldn’t Be Caught Dead in Timonium,” but there isn’t a skipper track on the album; every song is a toe-tapper. With lyrics that focus a lot on the future and making your own destiny, it’s easy to see that T13C has big plans.
By Sarah Wears-Garcia, September 2008
Some Are of Love, Self-Released
Warning: after initially dismissing this album as unmemorable, you may find a rather pleasant melody inexplicably lodged in your head and eventually realize it’s the catchy refrain from “All I Really Want,” the second track on this debut album.
By Travis Fristoe, September 2008
Chemical Chords, 4AD Records
Pop music is no crime, and certainly not by the lovely, creative and leftist band Stereolab. Chemical Chords is their eleventh album in a very long and treat-filled career.
By Fred Sowder, September 2008
Self-Titled, FunkaRecords
Our hometown groove machine has finally released its debut album after thrilling audiences for some time with its bumping live shows.
