Alternative music, cult films, and pop culture explored through a Gen X lens — with reviews, interviews, and a deep-dive podcast.
ArnoCorps ‘The Fantastic EP’ Review: Goddamn Heroes and Sheroes rejoice! [rating=5] ArnoCorps are a band with a singular musical obsession; the filmography of action star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. What makes the band so consistently entertaining is their ability to do endless variations on this singular theme, all done with an intense delivery that has […]
Goldfrapp ‘Tales of Us’ Album Review: Goldfrapp leaves 80’s cheese and electro-glam behind with their newest release. [rating=4] Goldfrapp has always been an act prone to extremes. Such about-face sonic changes inevitably become hit or miss. While the electro-sleaze of Black Cherry and the Glam-sheen of Supernature were richly indulgent, Seventh Tree was a bit too hippy-dippy […]
Ministry ‘From Beer To Eternity’ Review: Ministry’s (supposed) swan song is often hit and miss, but the late Mike Scaccia’s guitar work still impresses. [rating=3] If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years about Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen, it’s that he’s often prone to exaggeration. His new tell-all book surely benefits from colorful embellishments when […]
Just like a car crash, Just like a knife, My favorite weapon, Is the look in your eyes. Looking back on an Iconic Industrial classic The Land of Rape And Honey 30 years on. I remember the first time I heard Stigmata, the opening battle-cry of Ministry’s 1988 album The Land Of Rape And Honey. I thought perhaps I’d […]
Albums Revisited: The Cult’s ‘Electric’ Turns 30. a look back at why The Cult’s breakthrough album set the stage for heavy alternative rock and the decline of hair metal. Note: this article was originally published in 2013: it has since been updated. Earlier this week I got a chance to see The Cult at ACL […]
Vista Chino ‘Peace’ Review: Former members of Kyuss rock on as Vista Chino. And they make a pretty good case for stoner rock minus Josh Homme. [rating=3] Unless your name is Josh Homme, being a member of stoner rock legends Kyuss hasn’t been easy lately. The band was continuing as Kyuss Lives, but Homme slapped them […]
The Cult turn in an electrifying ‘Electric 13’ set at ACL Live. [rating=4] The Cult’s ACL Live gig started on a tense note. Opening band White Hill’s meandering psych-rock went over like a lead balloon. The crowd wasn’t having it (although a drunk middle-aged dude kept yelling for the female bassist to “take off your top!” Classy.) After […]
On the edge of their fall tour, The Pixies have released a surprise four song EP, entitled EP 1. You can order the EP in a variety of formats on the band’s official website. The first single from the EP, ‘Indie Cindy’ has a video which the band debuted today. You can watch it below. […]
The Sisters Of Mercy: ‘Floodland’ Revisited: A look back at The Sisters’ grandiose goth masterpiece on its 30th anniversary. Note: this post originally appeared in 2013. It has been updated. I recently wrote about why ‘The World’s End’ soundtrack rocks. It prominently features This Corrosion, a goth staple from The Sisters Of Mercy. Given the renewed […]
Jane’s Addiction’s Nothing’s Shocking turned 25 years old last week. And boy does that make me feel old. The album came out when I was in high school for God’s sakes. Nothing’s Shocking’s title was a misnomer because the album proved a lightening rod for controversy. It started with the album cover, which featured a sculpture […]
