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Matthew Logan Vasquez – Solicitor ReturnsNo label-out now4 / 5 Let’s cut to the chase for y’all: it’s a good album. Now Austin-based rocker/writer Matthew Logan Vasquez, from Delta Spirit / Middle Brother fame has his solo album. And it’s good. It took us a few listens to get into his slower pace on here, but it’s grimy, it’s deliberate swagger, it’s confident and assertive. Some time back, Vasquez mentioned that he envisioned his Delta Spirit not as “Americana,” but as a rock outfit. We think this is the album he envisioned when he said that (not their decent, but lyrically flawed 2012 Delta Spirit).Read More →

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Beware of Darkness – Are You Real?Bright Antenna– out Sept. 162.5 / 5 The LA emo rock trio Beware of Darkness has come out with a sophomore album we’ve been anticipating since 2013’s debut LP, Orthodox. A few words about that one: it’s a fantastic rocker. And now, onto Are You Real?: it’s not. The dozen songs here do rock, yes. Stylistically, musically, the guitars growl, the hooks groove, the beats pound and sway. But what holds us back from declaring their sophomore a satisfying rocker is the, erm, sophomoric lyrics and content. Are You Real? feels conceited, a bit self-indulgent, and more than a bit misogynistic. ItRead More →

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Unknown Mortal Orchestra – photo (c) Neil Krug Fete Music Hall, Providence, RI. Thurs. 7-28-16, 7pm. $17, $20 door.(Also at Sinclair in Boston , 7-27-16 – SOLD OUT) This month as been CRAZY with music, just absolutely rotten with it, and we’d been wondering how we’re going to catch up on Unknown Mortal Orchestra now that they’ve made their presences known in lil’ Rhody (and now that they’re officially on our radar, finally). But wonder no more: we’re going. This quartet of electronic musicians balance the eclectic with the outright poppy, driving their choruses straight into your ear, all while taking the most circuitous routesRead More →

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Nigel Thomas – Travelling ManKeo Records– out now3.5 / 5 Nigel Thomas has come by our blog a few times, previously in the form of The Foxes. And while he’s haunted about in the background, we’ve finally gotten unlazy and decided to review this Londoner’s solo album Travelling Man. How best to describe? Perhaps this way: a Ben Folds-ish vocal range and color minus Folds-ian cheekyness. Slant it a little more pop, a dash more supporting guitar. The sum result? A good (not quite great) album that you’ll enjoy sitting down with in the car. Giving Travelling Man a current listen while writing this up,Read More →