A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the Constellate Instrumentals LP by Tensei. When Tensei released Constellate last year, I can say happily that I was won by the album really quickly; the urbqn vibes couples with the jazz undertones and the smooth confidence of the vocal performances tapped into most of the points that I like best about hip hop and fusion. Before long, I can safely say that I was singing Tensei’s praises to every receptive with...
A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the Summer Bliss and Autumn Tears LP by Steven Bradley. Especially considering the low cost and high quality of digital recording platforms, it has become incredibly easy for every aspiring musician to make the album of their dreams. My intention is not to disparage or downplay any artist’s talent or creative aspirations, I’m just saying that it’s cheap and easy to make a record in the twenty-first century; the thing that isn’t...
David Cross Oh, Come On David Cross is my main man. He’s my jam. He’s my main squeeze. Not only is he responsible for getting me into comedy albums way back in the day, but his material has kept resonating with me after all these years. I discovered his comedy in a dark period in my life (yes, that sad old story), and it immediately spoke to me. Soon afterwards I was listening to his albums and specials over and...
Kurt Baker Combo Let’s Go Wild Kurt Baker is from Maine but now lives in the plains of Spain and rock ‘n’ roll is the name of his game. How’s that for a biography? There’s a certain element of New England pride I have talking about Kurt Baker and his catchy brand of punk rock ‘n’ roll, so there’s a certain sadness in my heart when I think the man has left us to continue his life of music overseas....
Malibu Ken Selftitledphoto: turntablelab.com Can we give it up for my main man Aesop Rock? Don’t worry, I’ll wait. Oh, you don’t know who he is? Well, shame on you. He’s one of the foremost examples of why rap music is still as exciting and relevant as it ever was, as long as you know where to find it. See, instead of these fakers, rapping about how much bullshit they have, how big they are, and how they’re better than...
A deeper look at the grooves pressed into The Drew Thomson Foundation’s self-titled debut album. “What is the secret to making a pop record in the twenty-first century?” Such was the root of a conversation I had with my daughter last week, but it all began with talking about how much music has changed in what could be perceived as a very short period of time. Since it has bearing on the dialogue, it’s worth pointing out that it was...
BattlesJuice B Cryptsphoto: turntablelab.com Back when Late Night television was worth watching, you could count on them as a source or news, comedy, and music. It’s how I discovered a lot of bands including Battles. Watching them on Jimmy Fallon performing Futura, I was immediately transfixed: the stage presence, the style, the weird placement of the drummer’s crash cymbal. All of it was interesting. I heard the song once and it permanently lodged itself in my brain. Gloss Drop was...
A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the All That Matters Is This Matter LP by Holy Beach. Someone wise once said that “Variety is the soul of pleasure. Variety is the condition of harmony. The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new. Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all its flavor.” In that spirit, The Deftones once totally reinvigorated heavy metal music by simultaneously making their approach...
Oh Sees Smote Reverser photo: turntablelab.com It’s a funny thing when you think a band has topped themselves to the point of no return. That happened to me when I first heard Smote Reverser by Oh Sees (formerly Thee Oh Sees). Now this statement (topping oneself) is a hard one to make for a band like this. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it: Oh Sees put out records like Donald Trump lies. Now there’s a thought… But...
The Hold SteadyThrashing Thru the Passion Happy 400th Vinyl Vlog! Thank god for this album, folks. Thank GOD! I think I’ve said this before, but the Hold Steady are one of those bands that suffers from Monty Python syndrome, in the sense that it’s good, but the most annoying people in the world will not shut the fuck about it. Have you met a Hold Steady fan? If you’re not sure, then you haven’t. The real Hold Steady fans are annoying as hell. As such, it’s hard to...