Category: Album Reviews

old-fashioned (and neo-modern) record reviews

Album Reviews, Zines

Hark Madley’s Debut EP Glows Like John Glenn’s Fireflies

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  “My status is excellent,” American astronaut John Glenn declares in a transmission to NASA’s control center during the 1962 Mercury-Atlas 6 spaceflight, the first to transport a man around the Earth. When Glenn sees the sun rise behind him as he hovers above the planet, he describes mysterious particles which became known as ‘fireflies’ that floated … Continue reading Hark Madley’s Debut EP Glows Like John Glenn’s Fireflies

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Album Reviews, Zines

Fighting for civil liberties and sad beats with Gadget and the Cloud

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  Math and music, the two universal languages. One exists in a vacuum without room for empathy, and the other is colored by just about every emotion an artist can muster. Often we focus on the sadness of music, especially in cases where circumstances are inherently upsetting (A Crow Looked at Me, Carrie & Lowell). Seeing a … Continue reading Fighting for civil liberties and sad beats with Gadget and the Cloud

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Album Reviews, Interviews, Zines

A Hazy Shade of Winter

Photo by Jeff Leeds Cohn Originally appeared on LA Weekly. Though Winter advocates indulging in all forms of childlike ideation, what she sees in music is not strictly daydreams. She experiences synesthesia, where sounds are perceived as colors when the frequencies reach her brain. It contributes to her vivid life, which she views with unrelenting optimism. Winter goes through color phases, most recently having been … Continue reading A Hazy Shade of Winter

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Album Reviews, Zines

Get a taste of Paul Cherry’s Flavours

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  They say not to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes it’s hard to remain impartial! Take the art for Paul Cherry’s new album, Flavour: a random parallelogram in the background intersects with a Rolex Oyster bracelet, but instead of a normal watch face there is a cherry with a taichi symbol in its cross-section. … Continue reading Get a taste of Paul Cherry’s Flavours

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Album Reviews, Zines

Kahiem Rivera wrote his new EP while recovering from a near-death experience

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. Surviving a near-death experience isn’t always sunshine and roses. Kaheim Rivera had to recover for months after being hit by a car, and even after that, he struggled to reclaim his old sense of normalcy. He wrote many songs in this idle time – the new Be Quiet EP may be the first in a series … Continue reading Kahiem Rivera wrote his new EP while recovering from a near-death experience

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Album Reviews, Zines

Orchestral Pop group Freedom Baby grows up with their new EP

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  On their new EP, Freedom Baby analyze anxiety, and manage to find the light at the end of the tunnel. The band is a nine-piece orchestral pop group, affectionately called “ork pop,” led by partners Eric and Brianna. The duo initially set out to make music that relied more on synths than glockenspiels, but something about … Continue reading Orchestral Pop group Freedom Baby grows up with their new EP

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Album Reviews, Zines

******** Drinks to Cope with a Mad World

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  Both Ormston and Ω have established reputations for making music way outside the box, so their collaboration here makes perfect sense. What they managed to create together expands on what they both were already good at, adding effects like canned laughter or scratchy recordings of Christmas carols and film dialogue where appropriate. It often feels more … Continue reading ******** Drinks to Cope with a Mad World

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Album Reviews, Zines

Cloud wallows in sensitivity while celebrating life on Plays with Fire

Photo Credit: Carson Lund Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  When you play with fire, you’re supposed to get burned. But what if you’re careful with fire? Even when handling flames with your most serious demeanor, it’s still possible to get hurt. At least, that’s what can be learned from Cloud’s sensitive and joyous new album. On the band’s nine-track effort titled … Continue reading Cloud wallows in sensitivity while celebrating life on Plays with Fire

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Album Reviews, Interviews, Zines

A Steamer, a Cult, and Lauren Ruth Ward’s Debut Album

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  Lauren Ruth Ward stands in front of a mirror holding up a shimmering disco ensemble. We’re in the Echo’s green room joined by a few people that play in other bands on tonight’s bill, as well as some peripheral friends. It is the first night of Ward’s January residency and the two-piece suit and jacket on … Continue reading A Steamer, a Cult, and Lauren Ruth Ward’s Debut Album

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Album Reviews

The Crowleys Keep Things Pastel on Colours Change Their Tone EP

Premiered on Grimy Goods.  Psych rock is a fun genre, and The Crowleys know how to make it all their own. Lead singer Cohen Wylie uses his wavering vocals to lead us through kaleidoscopic guitar melodies, starting with the aptly pastel “Pink Rainbows”; layers of noise eventually snap into clarity with a Blur-like Britpop ditty at the very end. Processed vocals pick up where that … Continue reading The Crowleys Keep Things Pastel on Colours Change Their Tone EP

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