Musings on the past and present state of music, film, and pop culture. Get off my lawn.
Bluphoria ‘Bluphoria’ Review: Nashville rockers bring good vibes on blues-flavored debut. Nashville’s Bluphoria have had a swift ascendance in their short time together. Forming in 2019, the quartet (Reign LaFreniere (lead vocalist and lead guitarist), Dakota Landrum (rhythm guitar, background vocals), bassist/background vocalist Rex Wolf, and drummer Dani Janae) signed to Edgeout Records/Ume/UMG in early […]
Concert Review: Ministry, Gary Numan and Frontline Assembly at Emo’s, Austin: Industrial triptych blows minds and eardrums in Austin. It was a little over a year ago that Ministry graced Emo’s Austin with their presence on the Industrial Strength Tour. It was an alternative metal fan’s dream come true to see Al Jourgensen and co. […]
Spotlights ‘Alchemy For The Dead’ Review: metal-gazers contemplate mortality on melancholic new album. The power trio Spotlights have become one of the most accomplished, thoughtful and assured acts in recent memory. The group’s unique blend of metal, shoegaze and space rock sets them apart from other hybrid competitors. And on their latest album, Alchemy For […]
Puscifer “Existential Reckoning: Rewired”: Review-inventive album offers intriguing remixes from Maynard James Keeenan fronted 2020 album. Remix albums are a curious beast. Some are essential, adding new dimensions to established songs. Others are filler, offering excessive, bloated renditions that undermine the power of the original material. So where does Puscifer’s new remix album Existential Reckoning: Rewired […]
Acid King “Beyond Vision” Review: Bay Area stoner legends go into interstellar overdrive on new psychedelic album. At 30 years in, San Francisco’s Acid King can lay claim to being one of the original sonic architects of both doom metal and stoner rock. Vocalist/guitarist Lori S. (and her revolving lineup) has forged her own path […]
‘Inland Empire’ Blu-Ray [Criterion Collection] Review: David Lynch’s three hour multiple-persona Hollywood fever dream gets the long-awaited Criterion treatment with a director-approved 4K transfer. Criterion has been on a winning streak with its 4K restorations of David Lynch’s filmography including Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive. Now coming off the heels of their 2022 release of […]
SLIS Podcast Episode 44: The Church’s Steve Kilbey Talks New Album ‘The Hypnogogue’: frontman gives an inside scoop on new album featuring revamped lineup. The Church have been brewing up their unique blend of psychedelia, post-punk, alternative and prog-rock ever since they formed in 1980. Over four decades, various lineup changes and 26 studio albums, […]
The Church ‘The Hypnogogue’ Review: Australian alternative legends emerge with revamped lineup on triumphant new concept album. ‘The Hypnogogue’ is the most prog rock thing we have ever done and also we’ve never had a concept album before. So sayeth Steve Kilbey, the vocalist/bassist/founder of The Church regarding their new album The Hypnogogue, (February 24, […]
Concert Review: The London Suede and Manic Street Preachers at ACL Live: UK double-bill transcends Britpop nostalgia in Austin. The crowd that gathered at ACL Live for the co-headlining tour of The London Suede and the Manic Street Preachers were a rare breed: middle-aged Anglophiles who went gaga for the Britpop scene of the mid-90’s, […]
Dead Cross ‘Dead Cross II’ Review: Hardcore supergroup fronted by Mike Patton overcome tragedy and strife on triumphant sophomore release. After Dead Cross’s critically acclaimed 2017 self-titled debut, the future looked bright for the hardcore supergroup featuring vocalist Mike Patton, bassist Justin Pearson, guitarist Michael Crain and drummer Dave Lombardo. Then all hell broke loose: […]