album review

Savannah Red Xmas banner 1
AlbumAmanda QuraishiReview

Album Review: Savannah Red’s Christmas Album is Your New Holiday Classic

Amanda Quraishi 373 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

At some point after Halloween and before Thanksgiving, we begin to detect familiar melodies in the background while we’re at the grocery store or waiting in a doctor’s office. By the time December rolls around, the holiday music is in full effect. Which might not be so bad except that out of the decades of popular Christmas music available, there seems to be only a handful of Christmas songs that get played ad nauseam. By the time Christmas is over, even the most ardent Mariah Carey fan needs a break. Which exactly is why A Savannah Red Friends & Family Christmas should be on tap for all your holiday festivities this year

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AlbumCase CockrellReview

Album review: White Denim record 12 out today is a passionate return to form

Case Cockrell 470 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Since the release of 2023’s Raze Regal & White Denim Inc. in collaboration with guitarist Regal, who also plays in Austin staple Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band, fans have been eagerly awaiting the newly California-based musician’s next entry in the long-running indie rock song machine. Fortunately for White Denim loyalists, the time has arrived for the Austin to Los Angeles band to release their 12th full-length album, fittingly titled 12. This newest batch, engineered by the singer and guitarist himself and mixed by former drummer Josh Block and mastered by Dallas-Fort Worth musician Jordan “Jorts” Richardson, is Petralli’s first in his new SoCal studio, and feels like a passionate return to form. 

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Pat G skyscaper portrait
AlbumBrian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Austin Hip-Hop artist Pat G released Talk To Me Nice

Brian Hillsman 959 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

In July, Pat G released his latest EP, Talk To Me Nice, July 11 on his own, Be Relentless label. It was his first release since his 2019 LP, Whatever it Takes. So much happened in the time between the two album releases, the Temple-born, Austin-based emcee felt it appropriate to convey his personal and artistic growth with this, his fifth record.

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Buzz Electro PR photo
AlbumReviewRobert Dean

Album review: Spare Parts by Austin act Buzz Electro features loud guitars and nasty riffs

Robert Dean 1026 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Guitars should be loud, and riffs should be nasty. The drums should sound like they hold the keys to the entryway to hell. Luckily, Buzz Electro got the memo. On their newest record, “Spare Parts,” the band gives it their all as one of the acts in Austin doing their best to be the loudest, horns up, drinks spilled version of rock and roll out there.

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Sound Mass at Levitation 2015
AlbumGreg AckermanReview

Album review: Sprawling Post Rock project Sound Mass announced third album and Texas mini tour

Greg Ackerman 1299 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

When our friends with Austin band, My Education and Salt Lake City’s Theta Naught told us a new album was coming ten years after the release of their second collaboration, it was a bit of a surprise it took that long to make the follow-up to Sound Mass II: Spiritual Docking. It was particularly perplexing given that the recording sessions for this release, entitled Ampersand were made in 2019 not long before the worldwide pandemic put a stop to pretty much everything including collaborations between awesome post-rock bands. 

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Willie Nelson PR photo The Border
AlbumReviewScott Rollins

Album review: Willie Nelson graced us with The Border

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While the populace of the politically persuaded argue over two old men in the American Presidential Race in 2024, other old men are focused on something more beautiful other than politics: Creativity. Dick Van Dyke, at 98 years old, just won a Day Time Emmy Award, his first, for his work on “Days of Our Lives” and did a little dance on the red carpet. Clint Eastwood wrapped production of a new thriller he’s directed called “Juror No. 2” at 94 years of age. Harrison Ford is still famously acting in film and two concurrent television shows at a modest 81, and Willie Nelson at 91 years old, has graced us with a wonderful new album, The Border.

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AlbumBrian HillsmanReview

Album review: Swallow the Rat sophomore effort South Locust positions band well for SXSW 2024

Brian Hillsman 1318 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

New Zealand hard rock trio, Swallow the Rat, released their latest LP, South Locust, on September 1, 2023, and are set to perform at this year’s SXSW music festival as part of the Aotearoa contingent. The band has a number of performances slated for the festival including an unofficial event, Webberville Block Party presented by The Cosmic Clash and Play to the Plants at The Lost Well, Cavalier and Fading Yellow House on Saturday, March 16.

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AlbumDaniel SalasReview

Album review: Semihelix has a new seven inch EP out that will revive your faith in indie music

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Rock music is doing just fine thanks to artists like Semihelix. Based in Austin, Semihelix play a mix of American indie underground of the 80s with a smidge of C86 jangle-pop with their chiming guitars, driving bass lines and dreamy vocals. Semihelix has been in the scene over 12 years comprising of mastermind and founding member Geannie Friedman on guitar and vocals, along with long standing comrades Mike Cota on bass and Valdermar Barrera on drums. This solid EP release comes with three bangers; “Slower Pace,” “Renovate” and “Downstream” released on Strawberry Pancake Records.

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Fading Yellow
AlbumGreg AckermanReview

Album review: Fading Yellow to drop debut EP and host Chess Club release party December 1

Greg Ackerman 1586 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Austin psychedelic pop and art-rock band, Fading Yellow are set to drop their first EP, Stereo Assessment Friday, December 1 on all streaming services. The talented foursome are set to host a release party at Chess Club with an expanded lineup presented as Fading Yellow Arkestra with support from Large Brush Collection. The evening promises to be an entertaining one for local music fans at the intimate Red River Cultural District venue. 

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Danny Brown Quaranta
AlbumCase CockrellReview

Album review: Danny Brown delivered reflective Warp Records solo record Quaranta

Case Cockrell 1428 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

With a blockbuster collaboration and tour with experimental Hip Hop powerhouse JPEGMAFIA under the Detroit-turned-Austin artist’s belt, the modern rap icon has ceremoniously unveiled his most personal album to date, Quaranta. For those who aren’t fluent in Italian, the record’s title means 40, showing Brown’s vulnerability as he ages into a seasoned rhyme sculptor who still feels like he has lots to prove despite his glowing resume. On Quaranta, he treats like Hip Hop has been a double-edged sword, and he is finally seeing destiny as he has painted it over his long, fabled career.

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