CD Review: Campfire OK — Strange Like We Are

CD Review: Campfire OK — Strange Like We Are

Campfire OK Strange Like We Are Ana-Them By Ellen Eldridge A warm feeling, like that of sitting at a campfire surrounded by chilling winds (and, possibly, wolves) comes across when the syncopated drums and vocals close in on the peaceful piano intro for Campfire OK’s debut Strange Like We Are. The imagery in the titles […]

CD Review: The Memorials — The Memorials; Playing The Five Spot, January 28

CD Review: The Memorials — The Memorials; Playing The Five Spot, January 28

The Memorials The Memorials Bungalo By Ellen Eldridge The Memorials released its self-titled debut much to the excitement of The Mars Volta fans and those who have been following the prestigious career of Thomas Pridgen, the band’s drummer who founded this project. A fine line between soul music and music to break up a thick […]

CD Review: The Decemberists — The King Is Dead

CD Review: The Decemberists — The King Is Dead

The Decemberists The King Is Dead Capitol Records By Scott Roberts The term “folk-rock” has been used to describe electric-based music with acoustic leanings (or vice-versa) for nearly 50 years and has always felt a bit unsatisfying or vague, and may now even be bordering on archaic. However, there may not be a more suitable […]

CD Review: Young the Giant — Young the Giant; Playing Vinyl, March 12

CD Review: Young the Giant — Young the Giant; Playing Vinyl, March 12

Young the Giant Young the Giant Roadrunner By Al Kaufman Young the Giant conjures up the melodic grandeur of The Killers in their prime. Although Sameer Gadhia’s vocals do not resonate with quite the same authority as those of Brandon Flowers’, there is no denying the band’s music is captivating and, at times, downright thrilling.

CD Review: nerdkween — Profitandloss; Playing Karvana, January 7

CD Review: nerdkween — Profitandloss; Playing Karvana, January 7

nerdkween Profitandloss Stickfigure Records By Eric Chavez Like the cover itself, everything about nerkween’s music, from the structure to the lyrics, is somewhat of a black swan. Never conforming to, well, any sort of convention, Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Monica Arrington, also known as nerdkween, is back on the scene with her sophomore album. With a semi-strong […]

CD Review: citizenGreen — Ulterior Motives

CD Review: citizenGreen — Ulterior Motives

citizenGreen Ulterior Motives Nophi Record/dPulse By Eric Chavez With its distinct, haunting qualities, Ulterior Motives, the new EP by citizenGreen could be one of the best Atlanta-based produced records of the year. Not the typical southern sound of rap or indie rock, citizenGreen ventures off into a space of minimalist electronica. And even though the […]

CD Review: The Dirty Guv’ners — Youth Is in Our Blood; Playing Smith’s Olde Bar, January 15

CD Review: The Dirty Guv’ners — Youth Is in Our Blood; Playing Smith’s Olde Bar, January 15

The Dirty Guv’ners Youth Is in Our Blood By Al Kaufman Most band members aren’t exactly known for their academic intelligence. Make it a bluesy, southern rock band and the odds are even greater. Make it a good southern rock band and it’s a pretty safe bet that Dirty Guv’ners is the only such band. […]

CD Review: My Chemical Romance — Danger Days; Playing The Tabernacle, May 11

CD Review: My Chemical Romance — Danger Days; Playing The Tabernacle, May 11

My Chemical Romance Danger Days: The True Lies of the Fabulous Killjoys Reprise By Al Kaufman It’s been four years and numerous personal problems since My Chemical Romance released their last studio CD, The Black Parade. During that time, My Chemical Romance have grown and matured. Guitarist Frank Iero said when the band started out […]