Alternative music, cult films, and pop culture explored through a Gen X lens — with reviews, interviews, and a deep-dive podcast.
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez ‘Sworn Virgins’ Review: the first in a cavalcade of solo material is an engaging, genre-defying listen. [rating=4] It’s a good year to be a Omar Rodriguez Lopez fan. In addition to the reformation of At The Drive In, the ever-prolific multi-instrumentalist is unlocking a treasure trove of solo material for 2016. How much […]
Albums Revisited: Ween’s ’12 Golden Country Greats’ Turns 20: a look back at one of the oddest musical detours of the 90’s on its 20th anniversary. Ween were one of the weirdest bands of the 90’s, impressive given it was one of the most eccentric musical decades. While the group fronted by Dean and Gene Ween […]
Aphex Twin ‘Cheetah’ Review: a solid if somewhat conventional release from the ever enigmatic Richard D. James [rating=3.5] Richard D. James aka electronic music mastermind Aphex Twin may have disappeared for nearly a decade, but he’s certainly making up for lost time: first with his engaging 2014 comeback album Syro, followed by the moody and texturally […]
Movies Revisited: ‘Big Trouble In Little China’ Turns 30: Celebrating John Carpenter’s oddball martial arts opus on its 30th anniversary. When some wild-eyed eight foot tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the bar-room wall, and he looks ya crooked in the eye and he asks you if you’ve […]
Trent Reznor Releases New Song ‘Juno’: the track, recorded with collaborator Atticus Ross, celebrates NASA’s voyage to Jupiter. Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor, along with frequent collaborator Atticus Ross is back with his first new material since the duo’s 2014 score for David Fincher’s Gone Girl. Juno is a tribute to NASA’s recent Juno spacecraft […]
MGT ‘Volumes’ Review: journeyman guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite shows off his multi-faceted chops on album featuring notable alt-rock collaborators. [rating=4] Mark Gemini Thwaite may not be a household name. But if you’re a fan of industrial, Goth and alternative rock, you’ve more than likely heard his work at some point. Over his varied career, the guitarist […]
Tidalwave ‘1992’ Review Alt-rock revivalists Tidalwave are back with ‘1992’ their latest EP (released May 13th via Bandcamp). The band’s (American transplants now based in Germany) three song assault continues their brand of catchy, economical head nodders that began with their 2015 self-titled album. ‘1992’ is certainly an an appropiate title, as the EP hearkens […]
Swans ‘The Glowing Man’ Review: Michael Gira concludes current Swans lineup with hypnotic results. [rating=4] NYC’s noise rock icons Swans have had an impressive career trajectory this decade. For a band that started in the early 80’s, reforming in 2005 after a 15-year hiatus, they sound as hungry, raw and exploratory as ever. Following 2012’s […]
The Melvins ‘Basses Loaded’ Review: doom metal legends showcase their four-string collaborators on rocking new release. [rating=4] The Melvins continue to be the biggest workaholics in rock and roll. The sludge metal giants are back with Basses Loaded (Ipecac Recordings), their seventh(!) album this decade. Whereas most Melvins’ album titles are gleefully obtuse, Basses Loaded is a […]
Garbage ‘Strange Little Birds’ Review: veteran alt-rockers return with their best album since 2001’s ‘Beautiful Garbage.’ [rating=4] If generic 21st century pop depresses you, Shirley Manson feels your pain. The Garbage vocalist expressed her frustration with modern music in the press statement for the band’s new album Strange Little Birds: “I’m aching for some dark and dismal. […]
