James Sasser always seemed to transcend the typical country stereotype. There are no pickup trucks here; there are, however, plenty of broken hearts. What sets Sasser apart, as far as my limited experience with country music can tell, is that Sasser doesn’t write country songs. He writes your standard rock tune but puts it to a country sound. Read More »James Sasser: Dip Your Beak [Album Review]
Alexipharmic creates songs that seem to feel and breath a complete sense of impervious reality. You can drink his words like a fine scotch, or absorb them without discretion like a tall glass of PBR. His label debut American Beauty is the accumulative effort to reflect on the past years filled with oppression and unnecessary hatred. But this album also reflects upon the hope and promise this highly talented MC has always deemed not only possible to create a greater nation, but absolutely necessary. Read More »Alexipharmic: American Beauty [Album Review]
Stereo Total (Stereo Total) joins euro sounds from France and Germany to create a style of music somewhere between Krautrock and new-wave. The duo has a string of albums released through Olympia label Kill Rock Stars and their latest EP pressed to vinyl is Anti Love Song. Read More »Stereo Total: Anti Love Song [Album Review]
Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to the brand new conspiracy theory of underground rock n’ roll. Though not fact driven, and a very loose hypothesis at that, Mother Nature’s Son has created an album that will test your own ideas of what good indie rock really consists of with their self titled debut. This dynamic duo is the terrific group you hear playing in your neighbor’s garage on starry Thursday nights as you smoke your Camel straights and ponder humanity. They really make you feel good, and small. Read More »Mother Nature’s Son: Mother Nature’s Son [Album Review]
Despite the most subtle of changes, making each release quite homogeneous in nature, Sam Beam’s Iron And Wine never quite stales. Beam continuously maintains a level of skill that is, at least in the simplistic folk realm where he resides, fairly unparalleled. And so it is on his latest endeavor, a double LP titled Around The Well. Read More »Iron And Wine: Around The Well [Album Review]
The Argyle Wishlist may have put it best themselves: their music spans from soft folk pop to fuzzed out electrobeat compositions. These styles, and the lovable indie pop and twee that make up the space between, can be heard on Day Trips, the group’s recent 3″ release. Read More »The Argyle Wishlist: Day Trips [3″ CD Single Review]
Think of your favorite “heart felt” movie and remember the music in contained. Whether is is a “running for a reason” scene, or a “someone thinks about the past” scene, The Flying Change will probably remind you of said film. Sam Jacobs’ wonderful moniker is an asthmatic friendly thrill ride in his album Pain Is A Reliable Signal. Read More »The Flying Change: Pain Is A Reliable Signal [Album Review]
Grynch is easily the most prolific MC in the Northwest. But, he may also be one of the most underappreciated wordsmiths in the game of Hip Hop. With an exaggerated and mystic flow, it really doesn’t matter if this man makes it to “the top”. With three albums as well as two hot mix tapes under his belt, Grynch has proven that he has the poetic skills to be on the level of Lupe, Slug, or whoever wants to test him. Read More »Grynch & Two Good Men: Something More EP [Album Review]
An old memory: I recall grabbing coffee at Stewarts in Bellingham one summer long ago while visiting a friend. There on a rack tucked into a corner was a face I recognized. It was Kasey Anderson; the release was Harold St. Blues and I soon had “Boulevard” on repeat. Since then Anderson has released Dead Roses (2004) and The Reckoning (2007). Read More »Kasey Anderson: Way Out West [Album Review]
When I discovered BOAT, I pre-ordered Songs That You Might Not Like and started a FensePost feature article on the band within ten minutes of initial discovery. Still, when I received the album, it took a while for me to give it a full listen and it took a few weeks to really appreciate the music. A week and a half ago I drove to Spokane and finally gave it a good spin. Multiple listens, a few coffee stains, and two worn edges later, the result was miraculous.
Read More »BOAT: Songs That You Might Not Like [Album Review]
