Alternative music, cult films, and pop culture explored through a Gen X lens — with reviews, interviews, and a deep-dive podcast.
DC Comics: ‘My First Book of Super-Villains’ Review: with ‘Suicide Squad’ ready to storm cinemas, here’s a more kid friendly alternative which offers life-lessons through DC’s most iconic heroes and villains. [rating=5] As a new father to a baby girl, I feel a strong paternal inclination to do two things: (1) to teach her right from […]
STFU ‘What We Want’ Review: new electronica act featuring Curve’s Dean Garcia and Bloody Knives’ Preston Maddox. [rating=4] Arriving just in time to beat the summer heat, STFU’s What We Want (due July 29th on ELaB Records) is a dusky, chill-inducing delight. The début album featuring the duo of Bloody Knives vocalist Preston Maddox and the multi-instrumentalist Dean Garcia […]
Alan Vega R.I.P: how the late musician influenced punk, New Wave, electronic music, alternative rock and more. We’ve lost a lot of musical legends in 2016. And last night was no different: Alan Vega, one half of proto-punk/synth duo Suicide passed away in his sleep at the age of 78. While the ethereal crooner was never a household […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]