Brian Hillsman – Page 7 – The Cosmic Clash

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

May 19, 2020 Brian Hillsman 412 Views album review, Austin, banjo, bluegrass, browngrass, new music, Sour Bridges

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

May 8, 2020 Brian Hillsman 462 Views album review, alternative rock, Car Seat Headrest, EDM, fusion, indie rock, new music, Will Toledo

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.

Brian Hillsman Review

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

April 22, 2020 Brian Hillsman 796 Views album, indie rock, Julian Casablancas, new music, Review, rock n roll, the new abnormal, The Stokes

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.

Brian Hillsman Review

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

April 21, 2020 Brian Hillsman 539 Views book, book review, Butthole Surfers, Gibby Hanes, novel, punk rock, young adult

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

April 2, 2020 Brian Hillsman 474 Views album review, Austin, Lord Buffalo, mud folk, new music, psych-rock, rock n roll

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

March 6, 2020 Brian Hillsman 376 Views album review, new music, psych-rock, punk rock, rock n roll, The Cuckoos

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.

Brian Hillsman Review

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

February 26, 2020 Brian Hillsman 514 Views Antone's, DJ Screw, Geto Boys, Hip Hop, live music, rap, Review, Scarface

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

February 21, 2020 Brian Hillsman 328 Views Andy Shauf, Austin, live music, mohawk, Review, singer, songwriter

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

January 14, 2020 Brian Hillsman 465 Views album, album release, Austin, Cheer Up Charlie's, Cosmic Chaos, new music, psych-rock

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.

Brian Hillsman Review

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

December 10, 2019 Brian Hillsman 331 Views Austin, Hip Hop, new music, old school, Pat G, rap, Review

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

December 3, 2019 Brian Hillsman 453 Views album, Austin, Bali Yaaah, drone, EP, new music, psych-rock, psychedelic rock, Review

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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