Listening to The Baptist Generals' new album, it seems like it should be important to take a quick look at the history of the label which put it out (Sub Pop) to really understand the release's importance. Founded in Seattle in the mid-Eighties, Sub Pop's original mission was to try and get some of the band's which were springing up around the Pacific Northwest a bit of exposure but, when grunge exploded and bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney suddenly...

After so many years spent as one of the most popular rock acts in Canada, it might be hard for fans to remember where Sloan started musically and what really contributed to the band's sound. Really, no one can be faulted for that; most of Sloan's popular notice came when they were writing smart alt-pop songs like “The Good In Everyone,” “The Lines You Amend,” “She Says What She Means,” “Money City Maniacs” and “Losing California” – after they had...

If American listeners have any broad familiarity with Charli XCX, it’s most likely thanks to her work on Swedish dance pop duo Icona Pop’s “I Love It” – XCX co-wrote and lent her vocals to the rousing dance anthem.  With the release of True Romance the British singer is working, for the most part, on her own (Brooke Candy appears on the track “Cloud Aura”), and in greyer shades than the black and white of “I Love It.” Born in...

Heyheyhey junky, Awright, I know I usually take a bitta time ta talk some trash right off da top o' my SWAG Reports, but dis week I'm gonna skippit cuz I got somethin' ta talk about. "Whatever might you have to discuss with us Donnie," ya ask? New Black Flag! At's right, ya heard me, ya punk, new moogerfoogin' Black Flag! I guess Greg Ginn put tagetha a buncha guys ta call Black Flag (Greg Moore's playin' drums, Dave Klin's...

It took a couple of formative years and releases to really get settled and established, but Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine has found its rhythm and released a new, instantly classic album in White People and the Damage Done. Those readers who have heard about this album but haven't actually heard any of the music yet may be skeptical, but one listen will prove that this is Biafra's best release in a quarter-century. There will be no...