Saturday, November 23, 2024
The Cosmic Clash

Author: Brian Hillsman

Brian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Sour Bridges perfect browngrass on latest record “Neon Headed Fool”

Brian Hillsman 414 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

For more than a decade, the Austin-based quartet Sour Bridges has seeded the Capital City music scene with echoes of what they refer to as “browngrass.” The band has repeatedly stated, ”…it’s like bluegrass, but a little dirtier.” Consisting of Bill Pucci (vocals, rhythm guitar), Matt Pucci (vocals,mandolin, lead guitar), Garrett Ross (drums), Wil Vaughan (vocals, bass guitar), Sour Bridges has recently released their fourth studio album, Neon Headed Fool. The record was released May 24 of last year.

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Album Review: Car Seat Headrest take chances with Making a Door Less Open

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On May 1st, Car Seat Headrest released Making a Door Less Open, their first studio album since the 2018 release of Twin Fantasy (Face to Face).  From the start, the new record is a genre-twisting collage, exhibiting the band’s embracement of their vast abilities in the most direct and honest way. 

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Album Review: The Strokes “The New Abnormal” dropped this month

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In 2001, The Strokes released their debut album, Is This It, injecting a new energy throughout the rock music scene.  By 2002, their profound influence was evident as a plethora of similar bands emerged.  The Strokes’ signature sound has since been one of the most recognizable. Since then, the New York quintet has released multiple records, not often venturing far from the recognizable accompaniment that has defined them since.  Their new album, however, displays growth and new territory for The Strokes.

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Book Review: Butthole Surfers’ Gibby Haynes introduces fantastical realm with debut novel, Me and Mr. Cigar

Brian Hillsman 543 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Austin area punk rocker, Gibby Haynes, of Butthole Surfers fame, initiated his career as a Young Adult (YA) novelist with his first book, Me & Mr. Cigar. The book was released in January by YA publishers Soho Teen, just in time for an era of the coronavirus pandemic shelter-in-place directives when folks have extra time on their hands. This debut novel by a well-known Central Texas rabble-rouser fills the time well.

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Lord Buffalo
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Album Review: Lord Buffalo released timely debut LP Tohu Wa Bohu

Brian Hillsman 478 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Austin’s own Lord Buffalo released their new LP, a follow-up to their self-titled debut, Tohu Wa Bohu on March 13th, just as the world shifted to a place in which listening to relevant music as a  form of therapy would hover atop everyone’s lists of prioritized tasks. And the current mood of the world is matched in tone from the first notes of the eerie opening track, “Raziel,” an ambient and drone-y introduction of an album that feels tormented in the best possible way.

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The Cuckoos
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Album Review: The Cuckoos recently released debut LP I Hate Love

Brian Hillsman 376 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Young and fast-rising Austin band, The Cuckoos, recently released their debut album I Hate Love, a sizzling synthesis of varied, classic genres that intrigues and energizes the listener. Heavy synth, classic rock instrumentation and unmistakable, rock n roll vocals, make this record an instant Austin classic, propelling the group to premier status as far as we’re concerned.

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Live Music Review: An Historic Evening With Scarface at Antone’s

Brian Hillsman 516 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

On Friday, February 22, hip-hop icon Brad Jordan, famously known as Scarface, performed memorable, classic songs from his extensive catalog at Antone’s Nightclub.  The fabled South Houston native has been a highly-respected force of depth and integrity in the rap game since the late 80’s.  At Antone’s, fans witnessed Jordan not only rhyming in front of a live band, but participating with the instrumentation via lead guitar for several numbers.

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Andy Shauf
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Live Music Review: Andy Shauf at Mohawk on Valentine’s Day

Brian Hillsman 330 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

On Valentine’s Day, Canadian singer-songwriter and musical auteur Andy Shauf played Austin’s Mohawk, delivering his unique brand of folk to the Red River District.  The soft-spoken lyricist wowed a sold-out venue in an ease-inducing performance that infatuated a sold-out venue of folk fans.

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Eye Can See album art
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Album review: Cosmic Chaos “Eye Can See” release show set for Feb 5

Brian Hillsman 467 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Psych rockers Cosmic Chaos have been a prominent fixture on show rosters around Austin recently. Those lucky enough have seen them live understand the intense energy they bring to the stage. The band is  steeped in the local music scene, hosting a series of regularly-scheduled showcases themed The Acid Test.  In addition to their live music efforts, Cosmic Chaos has been busy recording their first full-length album, Eye Can See  which will see its release February 5 at Cheer Up Charlies.

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Pat G Whatever It Takes
Brian HillsmanReview

Album review: Austin hip hop artist Pat G’s album Whatever It Takes deserves attention

Brian Hillsman 331 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

The Austin hip-hop scene is loaded with untapped talent.  For some reason, the industry machine overlooks the many adept artists who need only to be heard. However, if Austin artist, Pat G’s new (it dropped in April) sophomore album Whatever It Takes is an indicator of what’s to come for the Capitol City, the hip-hop world may soon take serious notice.

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Bali Yaaah at The Electric Church
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Album review: Bali Yaaah “Make Belief” EP debuted at Electric Church last week

Brian Hillsman 455 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Bali Yaaah puts on quite the performance spectacle. For almost a decade, the band has commanded Austin stages, formulating their own soundtrack fortified with the unique blend of 80’s synth, 90’s grunge and 60’psych-rock, merging various genres of world music throughout.

“Make Belief,” the band’s new EP released by The Sound Barrier Records, is now available on all streaming platforms, including Bandcamp and was debuted at The Electric Church on November 22.

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