Review: Okkervil River – The Stage Names
It really doesn’t matter what you think or what you think of what I think, but I am of the opinion that Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff is a lyrical genius with a voice that can break your heart with just one line. It is vulnerable but powerful; fragile yet full of conviction. He is (Read more…)
Go Cubs Go!
It’s official. My beloved Chicago Cubs have clinched the 2007 National League Central crown! I can not believe it! Thank the lord they don’t have to play Florida again. Let’s go Cubs! MP3 | GO CUBS GO!
Review: Fjord Rowboat – Saved The Compliments For Morning
Every single time I hear Toronto’s Fjord Rowboat mentioned I instantly think of the fjords of Iceland and Scandinavia and then ultimately (and somewhat incorrectly) think to Sigur Ros. While Fjord Rowboat does share some of the ethereal atmospherics that the aforementioned Icelandic mega-stars employ, their sound is more akin to a modern interpretation of (Read more…)
Review: Minus Story – My Ion Truss
For whatever reason, it seems to me that Minus Story has always flown a bit under the radar of the indie rock taste makers. And while bands like Arcade Fire, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Tapes ‘n’ Tapes have gotten all the attention, Lawrence, Kansas indie rockers Minus Story have delivered what might be (Read more…)
Review: The Parade – Answer Me EP
The Atlanta, GA quartet The Parade is a young and spirited female-fronted band that plays lo-fi indie rock. Vocalist Carrie Hodge and company sound a little like Lisa Loeb playing songs in the vein of Sebadoh’s poppier moments and Murmur era R.E.M. Their latest EP Answer Me is pretty good even if it is a (Read more…)
If it ain’t punk it’s junk (vol. 9)
So I thought it would be nice to honor a few requests with this post. Some Lanemeyer, J Church, and more. My daughter’s temporary tattoo has been on for over a week now and shows no signs of coming off (well, maybe just a little). I think she’s gonna be a punk fan as well. (Read more…)
Review: Modern Life Is War – Midnight In America
Sometimes records are accompanied by press releases that just beg you to listen to them. One such record is the latest from the Iowa-based hardcore band Modern Life Is War. It is titled Midnight In America and was described as “A modern hardcore masterpiece from the first note to the last,” and also as “The (Read more…)
If it ain’t punk it’s junk (vol. 8)
I really can’t believe that I’ve posted this many great pop punk songs. This volume contains #‘s 71-80. I guess I’ll get to 100 sooner or later. Such good stuff. Happy Friday. MP3 | The Stereo – There Goes My Mouth Again MP3 | Bullets To Broadways – Happily Ever After MP3 | 20 Belows (Read more…)
Review: The Ackleys – Forget Forget, Derive Derive
Somehow virtually every female-fronted pop-punk band I hear reminds me at least a little of the Florida-based (but now defunct) band Discount and The Ackleys are no exception. They are (as the above comparison somewhat implies) a female-fronted indie pop band with plenty of punk and garage influences bleeding through. They play bouncy lo-fi punky (Read more…)
