Thursday, November 21, 2024

album review

AlbumBrian HillsmanReview

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

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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AlbumReviewRobert Dean

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

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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AlbumGreg AckermanReview

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

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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AlbumReviewScott Rollins

Album review: Willie Nelson graced us with The Border

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

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

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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AlbumGreg AckermanReview

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

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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AlbumCase CockrellReview

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

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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AlbumCase CockrellReview

Album review: Walkabouts shows chops with honed songwriting on debut, Bloomin’ Ocotillo

After assembling a lineup of seasoned local musicians who called the Midwest home like the band’s founder—bassist Kyle Douglas, lead guitarist Ryan Girard, and drummer Drew Dederer—Bandleader, Sam Shaffer has built his full band, Walkabouts. Since getting their bearings, the rising Austin act has been chipping away at the musical block to craft energetic live shows that drift between personable songwriting and dynamic rock-and-roll energy. For Walkabouts’ debut full-length, Bloomin’ Ocotillo, the Midwest-turned Austin musicians take a new stride that provokes thoughtful lyricism and massive instrumental triumph.

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AlbumCase CockrellReview

Album review: Lauren Lakis sculpts ethereal brand of shoegaze with songwriter chops on new album A Fiesta And A Hell

For musicians like Lauren Lakis, the guitar-obsessive lifestyle of indie-gaze isn’t just about the noise but the high-stakes lyricism refined on a track-to-track basis. On upcoming new album, A Fiesta and a Hell, the Los Angeles-Austin musician offers potent song structures and celestial soundscapes that pitch her discernment with modern greed and corrupt world leadership. 

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