Alt

High Times for Low Lives

Artist: 
The Griswolds
Label: 
Wind-up Records

This album is super catchy. They have a sound similar to that of New Politics, Smallpools and the Mowgli's. The song Out of my Head is probably the best song on the album and is super catchy and dancy, but the entire album is catchy and fun. All of the songs are somewhat electronic, alternative rock. Track7, Feels So Right, sounds like a Chromeo song and is catchy. Track 4 and Track 7 are interludes so I would avoid those unless you want a short song with very few vocals.

Sounds Like: 
Smallpools
Sounds Like: 
The Mowglis
Sounds Like: 
New Politics
Name: 
Sidney Whitmire
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

Messes

Artist: 
Stef Chura
Label: 
Urinal Cake

2017 is going to be a big year for Stef Chura. After slowly amassing a large following in her home state of Michigan, she's released her debut full length album Messes on Urinal Cake. Chura has a tremendous talent for taking the standard rock format and flipping on its head. Her vocal delivery throughout Messes is second to none. Tracks like "Slow Motion" and "Human Being" that played by any other band would sound stale, but with the lineup of Chura, Fred Thomas and Ryan Clancy, they sound essential.

Sounds Like: 
Built to Spill
Sounds Like: 
IAN SWEET
Name: 
Nick Kivi
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

Gone Beyond Gone

Artist: 
Gone Beyond Gone
Label: 
Slow Down

This album surprised me at how good it is.  It's a mix between electronic and folk music, which does not seem like it would work, but it really does in this album. I'm going song by song, becuase all of the songs sound slightly different and all deserve attention in their own ways!

Sounds Like: 
The xx
Name: 
Sidney Whitmire
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

Origin of What

Artist: 
Tyvek
Label: 
In The Red

Detroit legends Tyvek return with their newest album Origin of What on In The Red records. All the classic Tyvek pieces remain on Origin; fast, stumbling drums, angular guitars and Kevin Boyer's shouty vocals. It's a punky garage record through and through, which if you know anything about Tyvek, should be exactly what you're expecting. Even though the market hit oversaturation with garage-punks probably several decades ago, it's hard to argue that anyone does it better than Tyvek.

Sounds Like: 
Parquet Courts
Sounds Like: 
Protomartyr
Name: 
Nick Kivi
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

Joy

Artist: 
The Expos
Label: 
Warped Your Records

Wow, what an album. Every track clocks in at a length of under 30 seconds, leading to the album being under 10 minutes, but why should that hold back any jam. The tracks are electrifying, featuring instrumentation that is drenched in rock n roll but also delves into a realm of experimentation that is interesting and adds a dynamic layer.

Sounds Like: 
Tony Molina
Name: 
Nathan Gosnell
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

The Bar Is Low

Artist: 
Pissed Jeans
Label: 
Sub Pop

Pissed Jeans crafts distorted and heavy sounds into explosive tracks that is both exciting and intriguing. The single is another release that is a well crafted noise rock piece, with a nice punk vibe. A great song for letting a heavy track encompass your listening experience and keep the listener on their feet physically or mentally.

Sounds Like: 
The Jesus Lizard
Sounds Like: 
Flipper
Name: 
Nathan Gosnell
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

Suburban Liquor

Artist: 
i'mgonnapukecauseifeellikeshit
Label: 
Bangkok Blend

Suburban Liquor is the latest release by Rochester based skramz band i’mgonnapukecauseifeellikeshit off of Bangkok Blend. The first time I listened to this single I was pretty happy that I found a new skramz band.

Sounds Like: 
iwrotehaikusaboutcannibalisminyouryearbook
Sounds Like: 
Beau Navire
Name: 
Jack Maloney
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

Pretty Dead

Artist: 
Closet Goth
Label: 
Warped Your Records

Pretty Dead is the latest release from Gilbert based no wave/ post punk band Closet Goth off of Warped Your Records.

Sounds Like: 
Bong Pong
Sounds Like: 
Boy Jr.
Name: 
Jack Maloney
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

Night People

Artist: 
You Me At Six
Label: 
BMG Rights Management (UK)

You Me At Six have a very modern pop-punk-rock sound. I think people who listen to the more traditional top 100 songs could still find a track from this album that they would like. This band has adopted many styles from more traditional punk-rock to garage-rock to rock ballads. When I listened to the first track on the album, I thought of No Church In The Wild by Kanye West because of the beat in the beginning. (You may or may not think so...)

Sounds Like: 
The Script
Sounds Like: 
The Killers
Sounds Like: 
Simple Plan
Name: 
Hibah Ilyas
Date Reviewed: 
02/06/2017

project violent femmes

Artist: 
BETS
Label: 
Self Released

When I saw this album presented at the meeting, I jumped at the chance to review something Violent Femmes related. As a long time Violent Femmes fan, I was excited to hear if a new artist could breathe some new life into these old classics. While BETS attempt to do so is obviously one out of love and respect of the Violent Femmes, I'd have to say her success was inconsistent from track to track. Musically, many of the Violent Femmes' songs are quite simple.

Sounds Like: 
The Shacks
Name: 
Brooke Blizzard
Date Reviewed: 
02/07/2017