WHO: Czarface WHAT: Czarmageddon! WHY: Czarface is on a run of making unfuckwithable records, and I’m not saying that because they’re local boys. I have not heard a Czarface album that wasn’t smart, witty, and full of craftsmanship. Their newest Czarmageddon! is no different. It follows the path you would expect, like tight flow, interesting beats, brevity (as in no-filler), and even throws in some curveballs like the agro punk “Big Em Up.” Hip Hop is alive and well with...
WHO: Superchunk WHAT: Wild Loneliness WHY: Not even COVID will stop these guys. Recorded in lead singer and songwriter Mac McCaughan’s house and mixed to perfection, Wild Loneliness is Superchunk’s 12th album and is remarkable in the sense that it proves this band still has something to say. Although a bit less rocking than its predecessor, these tracks are poignant, masterfully arranged, and have added depth that comes from one of the best lyricists of our generation. Wild Loneliness is...
WHO: Abbie Barrett WHAT: I Will Let You Know WHY: We try to promote the local bands here on Ground Control, because let’s be honest, we’re a website of the people. No, but seriously, Abbie Barrett is someone we’re going to be watching more closely because with I Will Let You Know, she has delivered a hard-hitting, catchy, riffarific pop-punk album that’s chock-full of catchy tracks and perfect for the Summer. You know you’re listening to greatness when, after just...
WHO: The Copyrights WHAT: Alone in a Dome WHY: I don’t know if the Copyrights get the credit they deserve. I think I’m definitely guilty of this as well. I keep confusing them with the Dopamines. Are they the same band? Look, you’re not going to get anything groundbreaking with the Copyrights, except some solid catchy power pop punk. Alone in a Dome is one of those records that remind you why you fell in love with pop punk in...
WHO: Steve Gunn WHAT: Other You WHY: I’ve been having a hard time describing Other You, the latest album by Steve Gunn. Every time I play it, it pulls my attention and immerses me in the rich world of its sound. It’s a beautiful world, gentle-sounding, mesmerizing, and full of guitars and layers. It’s Kurt Vile with a lot more Van Morrison thrown in. Other You is the kind of album that somehow works as therapy, making me introspective and...
WHO: U-Roy WHAT: Solid Gold WHY: You don’t have to know that U-Roy is a reggae legend to enjoy this – his final album released posthumously. Solid Gold contains, basically, solid gold reggae hits revisited (updated?) and reimagined by U-Roy with an all-star cast of contributors like Mick Jones and Scientist. It doesn’t matter that these aren’t new songs, Solid Gold sounds more like a celebration of U-Roy’s life and reggae music in general and there isn’t a single low-point...
WHO: Mac McCaughan WHAT: The Sound of Yourself WHY: Being late to the game is the name of MY game. I only discovered Superchunk a few years ago and have been loving diving into their back catalog. The Sound of Yourself is frontman Mac McCaughan’s solo work and it serves as an exploration of styles, not sticking exclusively to the rocking sounds of Superchunk. While the songs here expertly vary from ambient, to ballads, to straight up rock songs, what...
WHO: Billy Bragg WHAT: The Million Things That Never Happened WHY: Billy Bragg has easily slid into the “easy listening” category over the past few albums, but what sets him apart is that his music still packs a powerful message. It’s quite an efficient and interesting way to get your point across. The Million Things That Never Happened is a pandemic album in that it deals with issues of divisiveness and conflict that became more prominent during that time. It’s...
Hello, dear reader. We thought we were out of the woods with this whole pandemic thing, huh? Looks like we have to hunker down for a while longer. We’re prouder than ever this year to bring you our take on the best this year had to offer. We’d like to consider ourselves mostly a music site, but there were some undeniably great movies and TV shows as well. Lists like these are all over the internet, but remember that, as...
WHO: Fiddlehead WHAT: Between the Richness WHY: No lie, this one’s a grower. And a remarkable thing for an album that’s so short. Between the Richness is equal parts post-post-hardcore as it is western Mass, whatever that means. Pay close attention and you might notice the passion and rawness of Patrick Flynn’s vocals perfectly balanced with the elegant and rich guitars that adorn the entirety of Between the Richness. Somehow, this album welcomes you to its roughness, maturity, and intensity,...