Musings on the past and present state of music, film, and pop culture. Get off my lawn.
Happy Halloween: Top 20 Scariest Rock Songs: the creepiest tracks of all time-from metal, goth, and more. Whether you’re trying to plan a Halloween Party, or just enjoy being creeped out all on your lonesome, music can be just as terrifying as a horror film. Even in its early days, rock music has always enjoyed a good scare, […]
Prolific bassist talks new collaborative release via his new self owned label in our latest podcast episode. For our 39th episode I speak to Trevor Dunn, the bassist and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work in the experimental rock group Mr. Bungle, as well as Tomahawk (who released their latest album ‘Tonic Immobility’ in March), […]
Episode 35: 25 Albums Turning 25 in 2020-The Best Albums of 1995-SLIS Podcast Following last year’s podcast episode celebrating the best albums from 1994, co-host Chris Logan and I dive in to the best 25 albums from 25 years ago, in this case the year 1995. ’95 was another great year for alternative rock in all […]
Christopher Sky ‘Vastness’ Review: L.A. based instrumentalist conjures immersive ambient soundscapes that both invigorate and soothe. Composer/instrumentalist Christopher Sky’s newest album Vastness (out November 9th on vinyl through Aagoo Records, and digitally via Hidden Shoal) is a master class of ambient mood, light, and shade. Crafting rich soundscapes through guitar, electronics and percussion, Sky creates a fully immersive sonic […]
SLIS’s 18 Best Albums of 2018: celebrating the best in rock, metal, alternative, electronica and alternative hip-hop amidst a chaotic year. We’re just a few weeks away from saying goodbye to 2018. It was a year that rattled nerves, tested our mettle, and raised questions about where we’re heading. Luckily we had a great soundtrack […]
Buildings and Food ‘Quick Beat Save’ Review: assured début from Canadian multi-instrumentalist is an invigorating, atmospheric delight. ★★★★ Canada based indie act Buildings and Food have just release their début album ‘Quick Beat Save’, but its accomplished tone sounds like a veteran act. What’s even more impressive is that the album (out November 2nd on Number F records) is the […]
Kaada ‘Closing Statements’ Review: Norwegian instrumentalist offers a moving meditation on death. [rating=5] Norwegian composer and multi-instrumentalist John Erik Kaada has had a diverse and multi-faceted career. While he’s perhaps best known for his work with vocal virtuoso Mike Patton, he’s also had a varied solo career as well composing film scores. And his cinematic take on sound […]
‘Thor and Friends’ Review: Swans percussionist Thor Harris offers unique instrumental treats in début album from new musical trio. [rating=4] Thor Harris is best known as the percussionist for dark noise rock icons SWANS, currently riding high off their critically acclaimed 2016 release The Glowing Man. But the ever-busy performer switches gears on his latest project, the […]
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 […]
Aphex Twin Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt 2 Review: Richard D. James brings the odd with this quick collection of jazzy soundscapes. [rating=4] Aphex Twin’s 2014 comeback album SYRO was a more than welcome return for the enigmatic electronic music iconoclast. But the one complaint leveled at the album (of which I concurred) was that […]
