Posts

Showing posts from February, 2020

Review: Dreamland - COIN

Image
By Tommy Delone Ever since their self-titled debut, stadium-dwelling alt-rockers have been enticing casual listeners in with their fast paced, new-wave tinged sound. Their music has always been intoxicating, like a peppier Neon Trees, or an inoffensive version of The Strokes. Their third studio album, Dreamland , has been almost three years in the making, and frankly, it’s been worth the wait. COIN barrels down a new direction, something that’s synth-heavy and cleanly produced, but stays close to the roots that helped make them noticeable.  Obviously, this isn’t going to be an experimental music masterpiece; COIN have no problem making music that aims for wide-ranging appeal. This is clearly the case on Dreamland . As a new bassist is worked into the mold, COIN starts reaching out to their 80s new-wave influences, and grabs the perfect amount of seasoning for their music. They often trade their rapid guitar riffs for smoother synths and glitzy production. However, COIN ke

TRACK REVIEW: 100 gecs

Image
"Ringtone (Remix)" - 100 gecs ft. Charli XCX, Rico Nasty & Kero Kero Bonito Folks… it’s finally here. Even just the concept of internet hyperpop savants 100 gecs teaming up with Charli XCX, Kero Kero Bonito, and Rico Nasty on a remix of their irresistible earworm “Ringtone” was enough to send Twitter into an all-out frenzy. And when the track was played by 100 gecs producer Dylan Brady at a DJ set just last month, the hype grew to insurmountable amounts, as days passed with constant teasing, but no sign of its release. But just days ago, the prayers of the rabid gecs fanbase were answered, as the remix finally made its way into the world. Needless to say, it delivered. “Ringtone” was already widely considered a standout track from 100 gec’s latest record, 1000 gecs (ranked as OT's #3 album of 2019 ), but this new remix takes it to an entirely new dimension. The track plays out like a version of Avengers: Endgame made by anyone who has argued about pop mu

Review: I Know Now Why You Cry - Gregory Pepper and His Problems

Image
By Zach Zollo Of all his problems, perhaps Gregory Pepper's biggest is putting too much on his plate. In 2017, the year he both became and lost a father, Pepper committed to completing a "Song of the Week" challenge. The songs of I Know Now Why You Cry, his 6th studio album, are what he deemed to be the best of that bunch, refining and revising them into a collection that's pristinely produced, inoffensive, and unfortunately underwhelming. In comparison to previous work, I Know Now Why You Cry is a milder, tamer, and more orchestrated effort, akin to They Might Be Giants, Ben Folds - even the works of Ludwig Göransson. The mood and lyrics are ruminative, appropriately obsessed with life and death. While this evolution often works to Pepper's benefit, his signature sense of humor fails to land just as frequently. And although the album's songwriting is laudable, the production is so sanitized and sterile that it's almost like you're listening

Review: The Slow Rush - Tame Impala

Image
By Eleni Haberis I knew I was getting fucked on Valentine’s Day when it was announced Kevin Parker was releasing Tame Impala's fourth studio album The Slow Rush. But I didn't think it would be like this…  The Slow Rush doesn’t come across as noteworthy upon first listen. The singles from the album - such as “Lost In Yesterday” and “Borderline” - were not particularly impressive. The album follows in the spirit of Currents , but I thought the album was overdone, or just straight boring. But I was wrong. The Slow Rush is thorough, mature, fun, and as always, a fucking journey. Because of its simplicity, I thought that Kevin had finally started to run out of ideas.  Wrong again! The ease of this album, and the inescapable groove Kevin constructs, is one of its greatest strengths. The record starts with the spaced out, humming groove of “One More Year,” immediately throwing you back into the Impala-verse. It perfectly sets the mood for the album, and tells you t

A Conversation with String Machine

Image
Photo credited to David McCandless Pittsburgh's String Machine have recently been making waves with the release of their second studio effort, Death of the Neon . To find out more about the psych-folk collective, Luke spoke with members David Beck and Ian Compton about the album, the reception they've received, and where the band is headed next.

Review: Splid - Kvelertak

Image
By Greg Wiacek  Rock n’ roll, hardcore punk and black metal: a recipe that should promise some dirty, crusty, sweaty shit to fill my ears. Unfortunately, Splid , the latest outing from Norway’s Kvelertak, comes across as way too sterile, well-kept and calculated. Ever since the band’s (excellent) 2010 debut, they’ve accumulated a lot of clout from goodwill and networking. Converge’s Kurt Ballou has produced a majority of their records, John Baizley of Baroness created the cover art for their first two, they hang out with some OG 90s black metal musicians, and they have Norwegian song titles - they must be a cool band. But now , these guys sound like if Turbonegro and Fucked Up had a shameful one night stand fueled by alcohol, with blast beats and tremolo riffing added to “spice things up.” Not to say Kvelertak doesn't deserve the respect they’ve received. They still employ 70s rock dual guitar noodling effectively, and their attempts to make some fist-pumping rock

Review: Natural Beauty - Mo Troper

Image
By Zach Zollo Mo Troper, in his relatively short career, has so far proven to be: a lovelorn cynic, a snarky satirist, a hook master-general, a maestro of metaphor, and an exciting voice in the contemporary landscape of power pop. But on Natural Beauty , Troper adds another role to his repertoire: an optimist. Whereas his previous records featured a perspective and delivery lacquered in resentment, Natural Beauty showcases a more refined, objective, enlightened, and hopeful Troper - one that's improved leaps and bounds as an arranger, composer and songwriter.  Take the album's crown jewel, "In Love With Everyone." Lyrically, it's a confession of how easily Troper is swooned, something he characterizes as a flaw. But musically, the song is nothin' but sunshine. Aquatic, chiptune-esque synth chords welcome in a raucous rhythm section and twangy riff, further accented by strings, horns and hand percussion. The melody is one of Troper's most infecti

Osmosis Tones' Favorite Love Songs

Image
To celebrate Valentines Day, the Osmosis Tones staff compiled a list of their favorite love songs. From Frank Sinatra and The Beatles to King Krule and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, here are the love songs that make our hearts feel.

Review: Father Of All... - Green Day

Image
By Tommy Delone I don’t even know who this band is anymore.  I’m not sure what Green Day was attempting with the direction of their new album, but it’s essentially a pop-punk Fitz and the Tantrums rip-off. What used to be lovable about Green Day was the inventiveness of their lyrics and their unique place within the punk rock canon. Now their edge is so old and dull that it can’t cut through warm butter. I’m conflicted about this album. As a fan, I have a ton of respect for Green Day and their continued longevity. I wanted to like the album, I really did, but with my roots are so deeply seeded in who they used to be, it’s hard for me to like this at all. The album starts off with introducing a new band bad. Billy Joe (for some reason) decides that he’s going to change his vocal style to a high pitch, near falsetto howl.  This seems to be the focal point of their genre pivot, making their sound a faster paced, bubblegum-rock that’s paired with rhythmic drums, clap

Mo Troper is a Natural Beauty

Image
Photo credited to Ryan Patrick Krueger This coming Valentine's Day, Portland's Mo Troper is releasing his third studio album, Natural Beauty , via Tender Loving Empire . Ahead of its release, Mo took the time to talk with Zach about his influences, working with David Liebe Hart, and how a decade of DIY inspired him to become more in touch with his roots.

Let Me Reminisce Over You: Green Day

Image
Let Me Reminisce Over You  is an ongoing feature written by Tommy Delone, where he examines the quintessential songs by his most formative artists. Here, to correspond with the release of their 13th studio album,  Father Of All... , Tommy selects the career-defining songs of pop punk icons, Green Day.

Review: Likewise - Frances Quinlan

Image
By Greg Wiacek I’m going to try to review Frances Quinlan’s debut solo album without mentioning her voice. Fuck. But what a voice. It’s often the first thing people notice when they hear her band, Hop Along . Raw and powerful yet tender, Quinlan constantly takes it in unpredictable directions, at times pushing it to what sounds like the physical limits of the larynx. Her erratic melodies and penchant for drastic shifts in dynamics (literally going from a scream to a whisper at times) would likely sound like a complete mess if sung by anyone else. But she’s a master at controlling the chaos, making it sound composed, natural, and ultimately captivating. Take, for example, “Waitress,” where her voice sinks with the lyrics “and my heart just sunk,” only to go on to belt out during the climax of the song in one of the most cathartic releases I’ve ever heard.  When she announced that she was releasing a solo album, I was certainly intrigued (particularly with how sh

Review: Funeral - Lil Wayne

Image
By Eleni Haberis Bitch, I love Lil Wayne. I always have. I remember in 2008, when I first discovered it was cool to look at eating pussy as a sport, that rap IS punk, and that AutoTune is here to stay. Lil Wayne holds an important place as a primary influencer of today's rap game, but thank God he doesn't rely on nostalgia to be great (sorry, Jonas Brothers). Like the wise Tity Boi (aka 2 Chainz) once said, “If it wasn’t for Wayne, it wouldn’t be.” That being said, Lil Wayne’s glory days are behind him, and he doesn’t have much to prove with the release of his newest album Funeral . It had very little promo - an Instagram post with the cover art about a week before, and that's it. But, as it turns out, it was better this way for two reasons: We did not need to overly excite ourselves . If you were to have the same level of hype you did for the release of Tha Carter V , and he served you this? I think you would be…like, really sad. Said lack of promo made li

Review: Pludo 1 - Pludo

Image
By Luke Robinson I spent many years in Chicago, getting covered in spilled Hamms’ and having panic attacks at crowded basement shows that worshipped dog shit three-chord garage bands. On the bright side, I had the opportunity of being introduced to - and sharing some amazing musical experiences with - the members of the band Pludo. The brainchild of guitarist/drummer Max Petot, Pludo draws influence from 90’s indie in the vein of Built to Spill, Weezer, and Pinback. On Pludo 1 , their debut record, the band offers numerous highlights with stand-out song writing.  “Wet Roach” starts the album with a melancholy, scuzzy power-chord riff. Immediately, you take notice of the chemistry between guitarists Anthony Santoro and Max Petot, as their leads harmonize while weaving in-and-out. Bassist/singer Keifer Douglas performs smoothly and passionately, offering incredibly sassy lyrics that seem to describe a manipulative friendship. Second track “DG Nightmare” initially sounds a bit too s

Albums of the Month: January

Image
By Zach Zollo One month into 2020, here's a roundup of the best albums thus far released. X: The Godless Void and Other Stories - ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead The indie rock legends released their tenth record this past month, their first since 2014's IX and Conrad Keely's return to the US from his stay in Cambodia. After 25 years as a group, there's not much left to prove, but The Godless Void could very well be one of the band's best three records. The album thrives on Keely's mixture of affecting lyrics and somber contemplations, while the band's signature prog meets post-hardcore compositions are direct, rejuvenated, and surprisingly, some of their best ever. "Don't Look Down" remains my favorite song here, with "Into The Godless Void," "Children of the Sky," and "Blade of Wind" also being highlights.  You Can Never Have A Long Enough Head Start  - Fl