AltWeeklies Wire
'Definitions' Leads to an Epihanynew
Actually, it wasn't so much an epiphany as it was my being force-fed a putrid, bile-coated trifecta of three great big pulsating blisters on the instep of American culture -- the King Ghidora of Americana, if you will.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
03-12-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Definitions, Farewell to Freeway
Bronze Radio Return: Tamenew
OK, so I'm going to be completely, enema-minus-the-lube, brutally honest here. After skimming over the press kit I received along with Bronze Radio Return's new eponymous five-song EP, I very seriously entertained the thought of not even listening to the album.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
03-12-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Bronze Radio Return
Pelican: Streamlined, but Still Expandingnew
It goes without saying that the evolution of sound, style, and substance (abuse) is typically more difficult to track when it comes to certain artists.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
03-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Pelican
Plague Bringer: True Grindcorenew
The whole of Life Songs is like a death-grind equivalent to "Janie's Got a Gun" -- brimming with hooks, savagery, and even (beneath the filth and industrial murk) a touch of redemption.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Fuck Button's 'Street Horrrsing' Makes My Heart (and God's) Weepnew
It funnels births and murders, dreams and reality, failures and successes through the same clockmaker's lens, forcing upon the listener implications of madness, hope, cosmic mystery, technological horror, and spiritual awakening.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Fuck Buttons, Street Horrrsing
Jesse Elliot Will Have the Last Laughnew
The twelve tracks offered up here are going to draw the obligatory references to Arcade Fire, Of Montreal and maybe the folkier elements of K Records' stable, but the vibe is all Elliot's, even as he switches from cowboy boots in "The Business" to choir robes in "Burn This Bridge."
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
God's Revolver Brings Plenty of Groovenew
Little Black Horse plays out like a commissioned soundtrack to the Preacher graphic novel series: dusty, drunk on its own channeled misanthropy, and probably very offensive to Republicans.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
This DVD is for True Pelican Fansnew
Evolution is the whole point of After the Ceiling Cracked, and the foundation upon which Pelican's very existence is based. The impact is considerable, especially when you realize that seeing the band live is an extension of this whole experience.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Pelican, After the Ceiling Cracked
Dashing Duonew
Comic sensibilities mix with musical mutton chops in a vaudevillian act that delights audiences everywhere.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Two Man Gentleman Band
Dub Trio is More than Groove-Metalnew
Earphone nerds and head-nodders alike have their new favorite album.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Another Sound is Dying, Dub Trio
Saviours Brings the Thrashnew
Into Abaddon beats all the old dogs, right down to Kill 'Em All at their own game, and laughs maniacally while doing it.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Into Abaddon, Saviours
Three is Not Your Conventional Metal Bandnew
The bandÂ’'s unique sound echoes harmonious tones of Dream Theatre and King Crimson in their glory days.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: The End Has Begun, Three
'Gods of the Earth' is Essential and Monolithicnew
I'm pretty much sold on a metal band if they can steer my jumbled thought process towards anything involving Tolkien's Battle of Minas Tirith.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Gods of the Earth, The Sword
This Album is All About Tarjanew
My Winter Storm, the Finnish siren's solo debut, signals a return to more traditionally operatic arrangements, but thankfully doesn't stray too far from the crunchier power metal elements that imbued the last few years of her career.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: My Winter Storm, Tarja Turunen
Is Trances Arc 10 Years Late?new
I guess it all depends on whether or not they're heralding a change in trajectory for the music industry back towards the mid-90's alt-rock boom that made and killed the careers of Dishwalla and Semisonic.
Metro Spirit |
Josh Ruffin |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Trances Arc, XOXOX
