Audiophiles have but a single cure—seeking out the best, most pleasing music for the ears to experience. Sometimes the cure comes in the form of placing that old jazz record on the turntable and giving it a good spin. Sometimes it comes in the form of placing a giant pair of headphones over your ears, closing your eyes, and letting the music surround you. Read More »Lymbyc Systym: Love Your Abuser [Album Review]
The Besnard Lakes seem to have taken everyone by surprise; their music blends drone-y shoegaze and prog-rock with the playfulness of lightly orchestrated indie-pop. These elements make Are The Dark Horse one of the best comprehensive albums of 2007. Songs like “Because Tonight†are instantly classic in nature—The Besnard Lakes’ ability to dictate between sophisticated and precise string arrangements, and drone-heavy prog-rock give them an edge in a somewhat polluted independent music scene. Read More »The Besnard Lakes: Are The Dark Horse [Album Review]
Dear AristeiA,
It’s been too long. I’ve missed you. There’s a laundry list of things I’ve wanted to say but haven’t in the past year. I’ve been busy. Things are good; I just get distracted. I’m sorry I haven’t made it down to Portland to see any of your amazing shows and I’m sorry we haven’t spoken in a while. I’d like to take a moment and rectify that because, despite my being vacant, I do have strong feelings for you. Read More »AristeiA: AristeiA EP [Album Review]
Euro trash just sounds like a genuine tragedy of a personal description that is begging to be exploited, doesn’t it? Reverse Dotty seem to think so. And their debut album Licorice Whips does just that; through synth-heavy and rock-steady exploitations destroy general perceptions of experimental artists. Of course said perceptions aren’t always wrong (God knows The Chemical Brothers have out stayed their welcome). But, this is a group that just plain rocks to beat, rhythm and exquisite guitar work as well. Read More »Reverse Dotty: Licorce Whips [Album Review]
Yes, War Tapes sound a bit like The Killers. Yes, they seem to be an 80’s influenced bunch of glam rockers. But, look past your pretentious preconceptions for one moment. Then just listen. These guys rock. And they rock steady. The Continental Divide is an album of pure POWER, as well as grace. If you stop to look for their originality, it will be bloody obvious.
Read More »War Tapes: The Continental Divide [Album Review] 
Lose the drama for one damn night. Learn to enjoy yourself. Life doesn’t have to be an ever-ready emotional roller coaster all the time. Have some fun for once. Throw in Skeletons with Flesh On Them’s debut album All The Other Animals and prepare yourself for good time Seattle pop rock. Of course it wouldn’t be fitting to be entirely positive. Hell, Richard Simmons was bulimic and John Edwards needed a mistress. And they always seemed to be happy and optimistic. Let’s keep it real. Read More »Skeletons With Flesh On Them: All The Other Animals [Album Review]
Portland is bustling with great new bands. Last year it was Meyercord and The Old Believers. Just last week it was Ah Holly Fam’ly. Now it’s Autopilot Is For Lovers, a band that is filled with heavy vibrato and folk-y Americana. Select songs provide focus on specific instruments like banjo and accordion, while others find the band expanding to several instruments. Read More »Autopilot Is For Lovers: To The Wolves [Album Review]
Vocalist and guitarsmith R. Sell, mastermind behind The Atlantic Manor, has probably heard the expression “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it” more than the rest of us. This only seems logical since his music bleeds this theory at a slow drip upon the dusty, unkempt floors of indie rock. There isn’t a much better example of a man’s strive for artistic freedom over commercial success than with this guy. And with his 10th (yes, 10th!) DIY release Slow Drugs and Other Sorrows, we get another look at the dark exploitations of the imaginary freedoms we tend to treat as all to real. This is maddening. This is strange. This is cool. Read More »The Atlantic Manor: Slow Drugs and Other Sorrows [Album Review]
Discard the fact that Ben Meyercord is a friend of mine. Discard the fact that he often contributes to this website. I did. Listening to Meyercord‘s debut EP Childish, I wanted to take on a fresh perspective. I wanted to be endearing and honest in my recount of the EP, so that’s how I approached it.
Read More »Meyercord: Childish [Album Review]
I would categorize Candy Claws and their single “Catamaran” as experimental pop in the vein of Panda Bear. “Catamaran” and the album from whence it came, Candy Claws’ debut LP In The Dream Of The Sea Life, has similar experimental characteristics, from the varied and incandescent instrumentation to hushed, melodic and oft indecipherable vocals. The theme is consistency and flow; each song transitions flawlessly into the next.
Read More »Candy Claws: In The Dream Of The Sea Life [Album Review]
