If a listener ever found himself or herself in need of an album to narrate their life story at the point where they’re staring up at the sky asking the big questions of life, Satellite’s Calling Birds may be the one.
With a traditionally-rooted sound, varied instrumentals, and fired-up vocals amplifying the soul of this much-loved genre, the Dropkick Murphys have a sound all their own. But as inspiring and avant-garde as this variation of simple American punk is, it is safe to say that this band has played all of their cards.
Lost in a never-ending cacophony of American-inspired guitar squeals, hammering drum beats, and amped-up vocals, the third release from the Swedish-based Her Bright Skies is an angsty young adult power piece whose volume is fit for an arena but whose calamitous structure and predictable composition should be left in the garage.
In a world bursting at the seams with cookie-cutter music acts, twenty | one | pilots have managed to craft a truly unique record, brazenly blending a plethora of genres and pushing the envelope on what constitutes pop music.
Move Out West is a band that has never been easy to label. A constant presence in the Connecticut music scene, the band has formulated an entirely unique sound which combines old-school rock ‘n roll with more contemporary pop rock.
Texas In July have taken the best parts of One Reality and stepped their game up. With a song for every shade of hardcore, Texas In July show that they can adapt their music from one album to the next and still crush it.
Incorporating new elements such as a string quartet, chilling and natural sound effects, and haunting vocals into their usual blend of post rock, Caspian have created an album that is always full in sound but somehow never overwhelmingly noisy.
Fresh from the golden state, Silver Snakes are joining a wave of contemporaries who are putting the rock back into punk rock.
Fang Island’s newly-released Major hovers somewhere between anthemic rock and gentle indie music, never quite defining itself strongly as any particular genre. The result is an album that simply slides over the senses, leaving a vague impression but failing to pack enough power to warrant repeated plays.
A significant improvement on their debut release, Broadway’s latest effort Gentlemen’s Brawl is packed with contagious energy and an addictive sound that is bound to distinguish them in today’s music scene.
