Apr 17

2014

comments

In Music Reviews, Music Reviews, Podcast

TagsDeath Cab For Cutie New Found Glory Saves The Day The Ataris The Hotelier tiny engines

Music Review – The Hotelier “Home, Like Noplace Is There”

Artist: The Hotelier
Album: Home, Like Noplace Is There
Label: Tiny Engines
Release Date: Out Now – Vinyl / Digital
RIYL: Saves The Day, Death Cab For Cutie, New Found Glory, The Ataris

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Pop-punk collided with Emo-rock and hit critical mass in the early 2000s with bands like Death Cab For Cutie, Saves The Day, New Found Glory and The Ataris taking over the airwaves all over the country. The trend seemed to die off culturally in the mid to late 2000s and seemed to head back underground by 2010. Enter Worcester, MA’s The Hotelier (previously called The Hotel Year) who seem to argue that melodic punk rock is not dead and very much alive. Their debut album It Never Goes Out hit in 2011 and has been a moderate success putting the band on the map and turning heads back toward this genre who some can argue has never left.

Read more →

Artist: The Hotelier Album: Home, Like Noplace Is There Label: Tiny Engines Release Date: Out Now – Vinyl / Digital RIYL: Saves The Day, Death Cab For Cutie, New Found Glory, The Ataris

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Pop-punk collided with Emo-rock and hit critical mass in the early 2000s with bands like Death Cab For Cutie, Saves The Day, New Found Glory and The Ataris taking over the airwaves all over the country. The trend seemed to die off culturally in the mid to late 2000s and seemed to head back underground by 2010. Enter Worcester, MA’s The Hotelier (previously called The Hotel Year) who seem to argue that melodic punk rock is not dead and very much alive. Their debut album It Never Goes Out hit in 2011 and has been a moderate success putting the band on the map and turning heads back toward this genre who some can argue has never left. The Hotelier is back in 2014 with Home, Like Noplace Is There; yet another album that will turn even more heads. Fans of the previously mentioned early 2000s bands can rejoice that a band has taken up the torch of emo-tinged/melodic-punk and has done it so well. In fact, The Hotelier adds on a layer of maturity and political/social leanings to the proceedings. Opening with an unexpectedly slow track titled “An Introduction To The Album” the band makes a statement that there is more beneath the surface than just a melodic punk collection of songs, in fact much more emotion and thoughtfulness is apparent on this album than on their previous effort. Amongst memorable hooks and catchy sing-alongs, the lyrics represent a darker and more serious tone. For example the song “Your Deep Rest” caught me off guard with these lyrics: “I called in sick from your funeral / tradition of closure made it feel impossible… / I should have never kept my word to you / Not a cry not a sound / Might’ve learned how to swim but never taught how to drown /You said remember me for me, I need to set my spirit free.” These lyrics cut me to the bone and added deeper meaning to an otherwise catchy rock song. This style is used in most of The Hotelier’s songs on the album. Each track is politically driven via personal experience and emotion. This makes it hard to write off The Hotelier as some band trying to ride the coattails of semi-forgotten genre. The blend of melodic punk with more cathartic emo tendencies makes Home, Like Noplace Is There an album worth listening to and dissecting.

The Hotelier

Home, Like Noplace Is There

Highly Recommended

The blend of melodic punk with more cathartic emo tendencies makes Home, Like Noplace Is There an album worth listening to and dissecting.

User Rating: Be the first one !

Mar 28

2014

0

comments

By Sean Duregger

In Music Reviews, Music Reviews, Podcast, Reviews

TagsAmerican Football Cap’n Jazz Joan Of Arc Mineral Owls Polyvinyl Records

Music Review – Owls, “Two”

Artist: Owls
Album: Two
Label: Polyvinyl Records
Release Date: March 25, 2014 (Pre-order Digital/LP/CD/Cassette)
RIYL: Cap’n Jazz, Joan Of Arc, Mineral, American Football

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

When I started to broaden my horizons away from punk rock, I latched on to more melodic emo bands such as The Appleseed Cast and American Football. As I dug more into the emo scene, I knew I was supposed to like bands such as Cap’n Jazz and Joan Of Arc, but I never fully got into them. So for me, a new Owls album is already a tough sell. I didn’t care much for their 2001 release on Jade Tree Records, so I met this long awaited follow-up with shrugs. Owls probably won’t gain many new fans with Two but fans of Cap’n Jazz, Joan Of Arc and Owls’ previous effort will love this album.

Read more →

Artist: Owls Album: Two Label: Polyvinyl Records Release Date: March 25, 2014 (Pre-order Digital/LP/CD/Cassette) RIYL: Cap’n Jazz, Joan Of Arc, Mineral, American Football

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

When I started to broaden my horizons away from punk rock, I latched on to more melodic emo bands such as The Appleseed Cast and American Football. As I dug more into the emo scene, I knew I was supposed to like bands such as Cap’n Jazz and Joan Of Arc, but I never fully got into them. So for me, a new Owls album is already a tough sell. I didn’t care much for their 2001 release on Jade Tree Records, so I met this long awaited follow-up with shrugs. Owls probably won’t gain many new fans with Two but fans of Cap’n Jazz, Joan Of Arc and Owls’ previous effort will love this album. What I can respect with Owls (and all of Tim Kinsella, Mike Kinsella, Victor Villarreal, and Sam Zurick’s projects) is the lo-fi and simple approach they’ve maintained throughout the years. If you’ve listened to anything they’ve been involved with (including Owen, Joan of Arc, Make Believe, and Ghosts and Vodka) you won’t find over-complicated production. In fact, Tim Kinsella remarks, “The line ‘We’ve never had nice stuff’ (in the song “Ancient Stars Seed”) feels good to sing because we really are still a grubby foursome with broken equipment and no money and I see these shitty young bands every day with pedal boards and no ideas.” In fact, what we’re seeing with Owls’ Two is a growth of ideas and theme, but not a shift or sacrifice in production quality. The album sounds exactly like you’d expect it to. If you were a fan of Owls’ 2001 self titled release, Two is a fantastic follow up. The band doesn’t seem to have missed a beat in 13 years, in fact Two seems to have a pinch of energy their original release lacked. The production is crisp, clean and full of life. With Two, I believe the band has accomplished what they set out to do: to return with an album that long time fans of all these members’ projects will appreciate and love.

Owls – Two

Album

Music Review – Pillar Point, “Pillar Point”

Artist: Pillar Point
Album: Pillar Point
Label: Polyvinyl Records
Release Date: Out Now (iTunes | AmazonMP3| Spotify | LP/CD/Cassette)
RIYL: Depeche Mode, Throw Me the Statue, M83, Washed Out

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

For me, synth-pop and electronica has been hit or miss. Few electronic albums turn my head and most of them annoy the hell out of me, which is why Pillar Point’s debut self-titled album is such a stand-out. The tinge of 80′s synth mixed with Scott Reitherman’s smooth, slightly processed vocals are reminiscent of early Depeche Mode, but it doesn’t feel like an experiment in nostalgia.

Read more →

Artist: Pillar Point Album: Pillar Point Label: Polyvinyl Records Release Date: Out Now (iTunes | AmazonMP3| Spotify | LP/CD/Cassette) RIYL: Depeche Mode, Throw Me the Statue, M83, Washed Out

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

For me, synth-pop and electronica has been hit or miss. Few electronic albums turn my head and most of them annoy the hell out of me, which is why Pillar Point’s debut self-titled album is such a stand-out. The tinge of 80′s synth mixed with Scott Reitherman’s smooth, slightly processed vocals are reminiscent of early Depeche Mode, but it doesn’t feel like an experiment in nostalgia. Pillar Point is Scott Reitherman, with the album produced by long time collaberator Charlie Smith. The album is a departure from their past projects. “Part of what steered me toward the textures and beats of dance music was the feeling of catharsis you can experience through dance,” explains Reitherman. The upbeat sounds of Pillar Point are in direct contrast with the album’s themes of heartbreak, loneliness, aging and isolation in an increasingly connected world. This approach works fantastically, especially on the song “Eyeballs” which is a song dealing with our digital connection with people in our lives, but our disconnection with friends and loved ones in real life. Other stand out tracks include the smooth electronic grooves of “Cherry” and “Echoes.” Scott Reitherman and Charlie Smith have collaborated in the past with the indie-pop outfit Throw Me the Statue, but Reitherman considers Pillar Point his most intimate work yet. “Writing darker songs with dance elements helped me to process the confusion and change I was experiencing in my own life, because within the confines of a pop song I could control little moments of clarity and redemption,” he says. “And for the listener it adds depth to what might otherwise be just dance music.” This honesty and intimacy push each song on the album to a deeper level. It’s easy to enjoy a song for it’s tune, but discovering depth beneath the surface level elements of each song add for a richer experience. While certain tracks do stand out more than others, Pillar Point’s debut self titled album is a fantastic listen from beginning to end. Reitherman does a great job of blending a certain genuine nostalgia for 80′s Synth-pop, but goes above and beyond in still creating something new. The album’s sensibilities don’t feel like a cheap gimmick. Instead, Pillar Point is an fun, engaging and memorable introduction to a project that I hope continues for many more years. *This review originally appeared at PopSyn.com

Pillar Point – “Pillar Point”

Album

Music Review – Moonlit Sailor, “We Come From Exploding Stars”

Artist: Moonlit Sailor
Album: We Come From Exploding Stars
Label: Deep Elm
Release Date: Out Now (Digital | Spotify)
RIYL: U137, Lights & Motion, Dorena, Explosions In The Sky, M83

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This review originally posted over at PopSyn.com

Music is often the product of the environment it is bred in. Instrumental Post-Rock band Moonlit Sailor resides in Boras, Sweden where they often experience weeks without sunlight; Sweden is also known for stunning vistas and full seasons. This connection to nature and beauty has always been apparent in their past albums, as well as the side project U137. Deep Elm‘s first official release of 2014 with Moonlit Sailor‘s We Come From Exploding Stars is an emotionally overwhelming experience. The beauty, steadiness and craft put into each song makes this a landmark release for year, and will be a tough one to beat.

Read more →

Artist: Moonlit Sailor Album: We Come From Exploding Stars Label: Deep Elm Release Date: Out Now (Digital | Spotify) RIYL: U137, Lights & Motion, Dorena, Explosions In The Sky, M83

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This review originally posted over at PopSyn.com Music is often the product of the environment it is bred in. Instrumental Post-Rock band Moonlit Sailor resides in Boras, Sweden where they often experience weeks without sunlight; Sweden is also known for stunning vistas and full seasons. This connection to nature and beauty has always been apparent in their past albums, as well as the side project U137. Deep Elm's first official release of 2014 with Moonlit Sailor's We Come From Exploding Stars is an emotionally overwhelming experience. The beauty, steadiness and craft put into each song makes this a landmark release for year, and will be a tough one to beat. Moonlit Sailor is Adam Tornblad (drums, piano, guitars, synthesizers, programming), Markus Rundlof (bass guitar, piano, programming), Oscar Gulbrandsen (guitar, piano, synthesizers, programming) and Joakim Wiik (guitars, piano, programming). We Come From Exploding Stars was recorded at Nacksving Studio (Dorena, Immanu El, Neneh Cherry, The Spotnicks) in Gothenburg, Sweden from September to December 2013. The album was recorded, produced and mixed by Anders Lagerfors (also of the band Obliq) and mastered by Martin at Cutting Room (In Flames, Red One, Dungen, Mando Diao) in Stockholm. With all the talent behind every aspect of the album, it's no surprise We Come From Exploding Stars sounds incredible. The dreamy guitars, thick yet clean bass and intricate percussion are clear and layered marvelously. With these types of albums, it is impossible to list any songs individually. My first listen to Moonlit Sailor's album was alone, eyes closed, on my couch with the stereo blaring. Emptying my mind of all the day's thoughts and stress, I let the music envelope me. It's amazing the visuals you can imagine when listening to music like this. We Come From Exploding Stars is a rich story of creation, beauty, love and death without one word muttered or sung. It is an astonishing accomplishment. Moonlit Sailor has given us another incredible sound-scape to digest. Highly Recommended. This album (as well as Deep Elm's entire catalog of 200+ releases) is now available on a Name Your Price basis here: http://www.deepelm.com/music

Moonlit Sailor, “We Come From Exploding Stars”

Album

Highly Recommended

We Come From Exploding Stars is a rich story of creation, beauty, love and death without one word muttered or sung. It is an astonishing accomplishment.

User Rating: 4.85 ( 1 votes)

Mar 08

2014

0

comments

By Sean Duregger

In Blu-Ray Reviews, Movie Reviews, Reviews

TagsDarkman Frances McDormand Larry Drake liam neeson Sam Raimi

Blu-Ray Review: Darkman [Collector's Edition]

*This was originally posted over at TheScreamCast.com*

Video
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

Subtitles
English

Discs
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)

Packaging
Slipcover in original pressing

Playback
Region A

Listen to The ScreamCast Episode #2 featuring this title!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Read more →

Mar 08

2014

0

comments

By Sean Duregger

In Blu-Ray Reviews, Movie Reviews, Reviews

Blu-Ray Review: TerrorVision/The Video Dead

*This was originally posted over at TheScreamCast.com*

Video

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Resolution: 1080p

Aspect ratio: see individual releases Original aspect ratio: see individual releases

Audio

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

Subtitles

English

Discs

50GB Blu-ray Disc Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD) DVD copy

Playback Region A (locked)

Listen to The ScreamCast Episode #1 featuring this title!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Read more →

Mar 07

2014

0

comments

By Sean Duregger

In Music Reviews, Music Reviews, Podcast, Reviews

TagsFarewell Continental Lemuria Save Ends Slingshot Dakota The Anniversary The Get Up Kids tiny engines

Music Review – Save Ends, “Warm Hearts, Cold Hands”

Artist: Save Ends
Album: Warm Hearts, Cold Hands
Label: Tiny Engines
Release Date: Out Now – Vinyl / Digital
RIYL: The Get Up Kids, The Anniversary, Farewell Continental, Lemuria, Slingshot Dakota
★★★★☆

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Read more →

Mar 03

2014

0

comments

By Sean Duregger

In Music Reviews, Music Reviews, Podcast, Reviews

TagsArliss Nancy Black Numbers Cory Call Drive-By Truckers Kyle Oppold Lucero The Gaslight Anthem The Hold Steady The Replacements Wild American Runner

Music Review – Arliss Nancy, “Wild American Runners”

Artist: Arliss Nancy
Album: Wild American Runner
Label: Black Numbers
Release Date: Out Now – Vinyl / Digital
RIYL: Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, The Replacements, The Hold Steady, The Gaslight Anthem
★★★★½

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’ve always felt that if an album can garner the feel of a live performance then that album is guaranteed to age incredibly well. Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Paul Westerberg, even Bad Religion and Pennywise have all accomplished a sense of timelessness with each album. Arliss Nancy blends Americana, Country and a dash of punk together into an enticing listen with their third studio album Wild American Runners. Whether you’re driving down an old highway, out on the porch drinking and smoking or just spinning the record with headphones on, Arliss Nancy feels like a band already weathered from the road. Each song conjures up a smokey bar and whiskey soaked booths.

Read more →

Jan 28

2013

0

comments

By Sean Duregger

In Music Reviews, Music Reviews, Podcast, Reviews

TagseVe On Being Human RetrowareTV The Humans Are Coming