Music Review: Thor, Metal Avenger
Published on November 6th, 2015 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |By Tim Murr
After about 40 years of head banging and pumping iron, THOR is having a kick ass 2015. With the re-release of the landmark Unchained EP and a hit documentary (review), THOR is topping the year off with a new album called Metal Avenger that’s chock full of guest stars from members of The Dead Boys, Twisted Sister, Kix, DOA, Motorhead, and Black Flag! That’s right, Henry Rollins shares mic duties with the mighty one on “Master of Revenge.”
Music Review: The Bottle Rockets, South Broadway Athletic Club
Published on November 5th, 2015 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |
True fact: your new favorite song is probably on new album from St. Louis’s indie-Americana stalwarts, the Bottle Rockets. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite, because South Broadway Athletic Club is packed to the edges of the grooves with such great tracks (assuming you’re listening on vinyl).
Music Review: Youth Decay, The Party’s Over
Published on November 4th, 2015 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |By Tyler Hodg
Vancouver punk rock band Youth Decay can officially say that they have a solid debut album under their belt. A follow-up to their 2014 EP Older Fatter Drunker, The Party’s Over has a comfortable, mature sound that knows what it wants to be: extremely energetic and in-your-face. A project the band members started for fun, Youth Decay has now become something seriously worth-while.
Music Review: Moonsville Collective, Heavy Howl
Published on October 30th, 2015 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |
Even on their more upbeat tracks, there’s a shot of melancholy running through Moonsville Collective’s Heavy Howl. Moonsville Collective is a California-based, seven-piece Americana group—including two generations of the same family—playing the sort of music that one might expect hill folk to play, but with the occasional harder edge.
New Music From Wolfmen Of Mars
Published on October 26th, 2015 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |By Tim Murr
Boston MA’s instrumental horror synth rock masters, Wolfmen of Mars, have had a hell of a year for releases. Back in May we got the fantastic Gamisu (which is now available on transparent green vinyl). Then in July they released a sick split album with The Mangled Dead. Now just in time for Halloween comes the six track witchy psych-out ass shaker, The Witch, The Goat, and The Malevolent Spirit. Inspired by the synth sounds from 1970s and 1980s horror films, the band mixes that influence with heavy grooves.
Music Review: Motel Beds, Mind Glitter
Published on October 23rd, 2015 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |
There’s a familiar feeling to the new Motel Beds album, Mind Glitter. It has a sort of retro indie feel, if your retro is the late 1990s, early aughts. There are nods to the Beach Boys, a little Brit Pop, smart harmonies, and some fine ear wormy choruses. It’s a solid return for the Dayton-based band, whose last album, These Are They Days Gone By, was released in 2012.
Music Review: Casino Classics (Complete Collection)
Published on October 20th, 2015 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reissues, Retrovirus, Reviews |
In 1978, DJ Russ Winstanley and Wigan Casino manager Mike Walker joined forces to create a record label. Between 1978 and 1980, Casino Classics issued numerous 45s and two compilation albums, combining the Northern Soul scene’s most memorable American originals with tracks recorded especially for the label. This three-disc set, Casino Classics (Complete Collection), includes everything ever recorded or issued by the boutique label.
Music Review: Hear The Bang: The Life and Music of Denny Lile
Published on October 16th, 2015 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reissues, Retrovirus, Reviews |
The story of Denny Lile is both terribly sad and terribly familiar. A deeply gifted songwriter, who drew on personal experience to craft raw and honest songs, really should have made it, but he had demons. He had record deals that fell through and he had a moment of terrific success when Waylon Jennings covered one of his songs. Then, there was a legal battle for the rights to his songs. And then, there was alcoholism.
Music Review: The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes and The Course Of Country Music
Published on October 16th, 2015 in: Current Faves, Feminism, Movies, Music, Music Reviews, Retrovirus, Reviews, Soundtracks and Scores |
One might say that if it weren’t for the Carter family, country music as we know it (or knew it, rather) wouldn’t exist. Director Beth Harrington’s film, The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes And The Course Of Country Music, explores that notion, starting with A.P Carter, his wife Sara and sister-in-law Maybelle, following that stream to the Carter Sisters, to June Carter and Johnny Cash, all the way to Rosanne Cash. The Carters’ influence was far-reaching, shaping ancient melodies into popular songs, and pushing the guitar into the forefront of American music.
The Official Popshifter Podcast, Episode #03: Hallowand
Published on October 16th, 2015 in: DVD, DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews, Horror, Movie Reviews, Movies, Music, Music Reviews, Podcasts, Reviews |
The Official Popshifter Podcast, Episode #03, “Hallowand”
It’s the Halloween episode of the Official Popshifter Podcast, and we’re talking about all things Halloween with our special guest, Paul Casey. It’s a cornucopia of creepiness this month on Popshifter!
Featuring Managing Editor Less Lee Moore, Featured Contributor Jeffery X Martin, and Special Guest Paul Casey! Enjoy and thanks for listening.