Corrosion Of Conformity - Megalodon EP (Scion)
The latest incarnation of COC is a return to their best lineup (the late 80s Animosity trio), and it synthesises the best aspects of their many different sounds over the years. Switching between thick, sludgy riffing and uptempo crossover thrash, this 5-song EP should satisfy COC fans of all eras. (AN)
The rest of the record reviews from the new issue (all 23 of them!) are after the jump.
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Destruction - Spiritual Genocide (Nuclear Blast)
These German thrash pioneers are still shredding in fine fashion in their 30th year of existence; their 13th album is a cornucopia of uptempo riffs and raging vocals. Their drummer sounds kinda mechanical (I blame an overly sterile production style), but if you want to headbang, you really can't go wrong here. (AN)
E.D. Sedgwick - We Wear White (Dischord)
Reminiscent of earlier Dischord signings such as Q And Not U and Black Eyes, E.D. Sedgwick displays a postpunk/funk hybrid sound on their latest album, though the addition of soulful female backing vocals helps move things in the funk direction. Catchy and danceable, yet retaining a punk edge, this LP is enjoyable throughout. (AN)
Hunter Valentine - Collide And Conquer (Megaforce)
Hunter Valentine is a pop-metal band with a female vocalist, dishing out the same sort of over-the-top glam toughness that hair metal bands in the late 80s specialized in, complete with sugary chorus riffs and super-polished production. Sounds terrible, I know, and yet I kind of love it. Poison fans take note. (AN)
Iceage - You're Nothing (Matador)
Danish teenage hardcore sensations hit their 20s in time for a sophomore album that's tougher, louder, and features thicker production than their debut. They retain their gothic, emotional mood while taking on a harder edge that puts them closer to Negative Approach than Joy Division. They still rule. (AN)
Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold (What's Your Rupture)
Most of these songs are under two minutes long, making this an exercise in the postpunk-as-minimalism aesthetic of the Minutemen or early Wire. However, Parquet Courts mix their undistorted guitars and precise riffing with more overt melodies, adding a bit of indie appeal while avoiding any sign of coffeeshop wimpiness. (AN)
Picture Me Broken - Mannequins (Standby)
Apparently the Deadsy guy isn't the only one of Gregg Allman's kids with musical ambitions. His daughter Brooklyn sings for this band. She's got a good voice, but PMB struggle on this EP to decide whether they want to be keyboard-drenched glam or chugging metalcore. They might be good once they figure it out. For now... eh. (AN)
Purling Hiss - Water On Mars (Drag City)
Like a time capsule from 1991, this Purling Hiss album incorporates the distorted guitars of Dinosaur Jr and Bleach-era Nirvana with the wistful power-pop songwriting of Matthew Sweet or Evan Dando. Heaviness wins the day without sacrificing catchiness, and everyone wins. Fans of early 90s alt-rock need this album. (AN)
Tegan And Sara - Heartthrob (Warner Bros)
Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara's seventh album, is their poppiest yet, but these twin sisters haven't lost an ounce of their knack for memorable choruses and passionate, emotional melodies. These songs are more upbeat and danceable than their past work, but they're equally brilliant. (AN)
Therion - Les Fleurs Du Mal (End Of the Light)
These Swedes at least draw influence from a good source with this album of French pop covers (including several Serge Gainsbourg tunes) given the symphonic metal treatment. But this syrupy, overwrought style is a plague on modern metal, and falsetto vocals only work in metal if you're King Diamond. Pass. (AN)
Torres - Torres (torres.bigcartel.com)
Spooky gothic pieces for solo guitar and vocals, recorded in such a way that you can hear the room they were played in almost as well as you hear the songs themselves. Striking minimalist beauty and darkness, as if Jason Molina, Fiona Apple, and Mark Kozelek made an album together. Excellent. (AN)
Umberto - Confrontations (Not Not Fun)
Do synth soundtracks to 70s/80s horror movies still sound good without the films they were designed to accompany? That's a question Umberto is hoping you'll answer in the affirmative. I think it's a bit monotonous without a background to blend into. Still, Goblin/John Carpenter fans should eat this up. (AN)
A Boy Named Dick - A Boy Named Dick (Self Released)
At first listen, A Boy Named Dick appears to be a loose, off pitch, solo effort that intentionally attempts to exhibit a not-so-serious approach to DIY music. As this project proceeds, a few gems shine brightly through the rough, making me feel more comfortable about recommending songs like “Sitting Here.” (DA)
Aeon Zen– Enter The Enigma (Nightmare Records)
If you’re totally into progressive metal, and you think Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell sits appropriately in the top ten albums of all time, then you’re probably going to love Aeon Zen’s Enigma– or hate it. Personally, I have no interest in a metal band that over-compresses its instruments and autotunes its vocals. (DA)
The Banduras– River City (thebanduras.bandcamp.com)
This 11-song, garagey rock record is bright, positive, and uplifting. Recorded in Richmond, this four-piece includes harmonica and saxophone, offering a dynamic take on traditional folk. Clifton Gibbons’s voice is comforting with its pleasant familiarity, making River City easy to listen to again and again. (DA)
GLISS– Langsom Dans (Mountain Lo-fi Recordings)
This is GLISS’s third album, and in my opinion, their best to date. Moving Victoria Cecilia to lead vocalist was a great way to shake some of the unwelcome and often unfair comparisons. Langsom Dans is unique and distinguished. I’m into shoegazing, so this album is right up my alley. (DA)
Graveyard– Lights Out (Neuclear Blast.)
Lights Out is as pleasant of a surprise as one can expect from a metal record these days. Don’t expect to find thrash guitar riffs or super heavy drum tracks here; Graveyard is more stoner metal than it is heavy. Lights Out is similar to Black Sabbath, circa Dio, minus that incredible vocal range. (DA)
Jody Highroller X Dame Grease– Hologram Panda (Mad Decent)
It’s difficult for me to admit that this record has anything relevant to offer the average listener, but it does. Aside from Jody Highroller (AKA Riff Raff)’s nonsensical, stream of consciousness approach to lyrics, Hologram Panda has an impressive beat selection that makes this record’s loose, at times disheveled delivery palatable. (DA)
Kid Brother Collective– Highway Miles (Lower Peninsula Records)
This 11-song vinyl release originally dropped in Flint, MI, nearly a decade ago. Kid Brother nails the mod-rock genre with ease, so this will likely remind it’s listeners of bands like Jimmy Eat World and The Get Up Kids. I thoroughly enjoy “Failure By Design” and “Too Many Tomorrows.” (DA)
Octavion X + DJShermski – Vigilante (Slapdash)
Vigilante is the most recent solo effort from Suburban District standout Octavion X. With 15 well executed tracks that include notable cameo appearances from Conrizzle, Kasanova, and BCMusic1st, amongst others, Vigilante is a must have Hip Hop record for anyone who intends to claim to be plugged into the underground. (DA)
Psychobilly Cadillac– …It’s a Household Name (psychobillycadillac.bandcamp.com)
I’ve been anticipating this funky, surf-inspired rock band’s debut album since I first encountered them nearly two years ago. It’s been a long time coming, and …It’s a Household Name does not disappoint. “Folk Song” and “Soul Flow” are two of my favorites. Psychobilly Cadillac reminds me of the nineties, in a good way. (DA)
Rome Montana– MT3 (Self Released)
MT3 is a slick, well put together, ten-track rap record that’s only pretending to be a mixtape. The production here is solid. The lyrics are well balanced and engaging, and the delivery appears effortless. “I’m Gone,” “Babylon,” and “Changes” are choice, and I’m looking forward to Rome’s forthcoming album. (DA)
Sports Bar– Tyler Perry’s Sports Bar (wearesportsbar.bandcamp.com)
So many awesome things can be said about Tyler Perry’s Sports Bar that 50 words just wouldn’t do it justice, but here goes: This record is sweet, and it’s easily one of my favorite garage punk projects, ever! Six noisy, self-deprecating drinking songs from Richmond’s own Sports Bar. (DA)
Soilwork– The Living Infinite (Nuclear Blast)
If melodic death metal is your thing, The Living Infinite is twenty kick ass songs that will make you want to smash your face with a cinder block, drink blood from a human skull, and punch a random baby. Personally, I’d rather listen to Black Dahlia Murder, but I limit myself in this particular genre. (DA)