Indie-pop tends to be static and homogenous, but Jean On Jean utilizes the genre’s core traits in such unique ways that it becomes quite fresh. Lead by Molly Schnick (Out Hud), Jean On Jean is an excellent recipe of indie-pop sub-genres, from minimal to experimental, and bedroom to orchestral. Read More »Jean On Jean: Jean On Jean [Album Review]
Written by The Nice Asshole
Rose’s growls seem to grow to an exasperated screech throughout the album. Rose has always been a talented vocalist, and a good piece of the puzzle. In Chinese Democracy he becomes the crux, which is not his strong-suit. His vocals are VERY apparent on this album, often sounding like his head is ready to pop from the lengthy high-notes he sustains. It’s commendable, and at the same time fucking annoying. Read More »Guns ‘N Roses: Chinese Democracy [Album Review Part 2]
Written by Fense
Proud Simon makes overtly accessible indie pop music. At least initially it’s clean, it’s smooth — contemporary almost — and it doesn’t push any boundaries. But as their recent release, Night Of Criminals continues past the first few tracks, they shed some of these elements. That being said, Proud Simon is definitely catchy and fun, as seen on their in-studio video for “Newspaper Boat”. Read More »Proud Simon: Newspaper Boat [Video Review]
Written by The Nice Asshole
I almost didn’t want this album to be released. For one, it’s a great punch line. (I once told an ex-girlfriend that we couldn’t get married until Chinese Democracy was released. It was a good cover.) But also, there is SUCH a pop-culture vortex surrounding it. In a Rolling Stone piece written in April of 2000, they were unsure way back then of the album’s existence. Read More »Guns ‘N Roses: Chinese Democracy [Album Review Part 1]
Written by Ron Trembath
Verona Red is a genre bending four piece from Chicago with a sound that will cut your soul like an unnoticed episiotomy. At first listen, a weariness may settle in your stomach. But it will become obvious when your feet began to move in a Setzer-esque skanking motion, that they have taken over your entire body. Read More »Verona Red [Feature Band]
Written by Fense
Some of the best music videos aren’t really that, they’re simply visual accompaniment to the supporting audio. Small independent bands that utilize filmed visual elements in their performances, likewise, tend to possess something special. While I’m not sure if My Cousin I Bid You Farewell has video elements in their performances, they do fit the former statement in their video accompaniment to “Style & Grace”. Read More »My Cousin I Bid You Farewell: Style & Grace [Video]
Written by Fense
It’s been a while since I’ve written anything about The Seaworthies. I’ve known about the band for some time and I’ve more than appreciated the music they’ve made all these years, even when they were known by the moniker Moon Turn The Tides. So, what prompted this new little feature? No, unfortunately there are no new tunes out there, and I’m not really sure if there are plans for any new tunes in the near future.
Read More »The Seaworthies: Flies On The Wall [Video] 
Written by Fense
I covered Klas back in September after receiving a little compilation from Series II Records (read that coverage here) and noted how their style of folk-pop had twee-ish elements to it. But in listening to their full length, To Sleep And Love, I’m hearing a little country influence as well. Read More »Klas: To Sleep And Love [Album Review]
Written by Fense
Given the tumultuous state of the record biz, the growing recession and ever growing threats of a potential economic depression, and an overall sense of wariness toward the world in which we live, it’s no surprise that 2008 has found itself packed with groups getting back to their roots. Letters style of orchestral folk-pop (with emphasis on folk) are no exception; however, their music is uniquely their own. Read More »Letters: In Case We Lose What We Have [Album Review]
Wait a second. Hold on. Stop. Huh? I’m confused. I do not know where this song came from. I do not know where this band came from. All I know is that last week I sat down with a bottle of wine and ran through about 125 emails and that somewhere in this process a song called “The Day Will Come Around” by a band called A Man For All Seasons happened to find its way into the pile of mp3s I decided (yes, over half a bottle of wine) to write about. Read More »Houseguest [Feature Band]
