// Category Archive for: Reviews

DVD Review: Party Down: The Complete Series

By Brendan Ross

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New Music From Wolfmen Of Mars

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.

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Music Review: Motel Beds, Mind Glitter

By Melissa Bratcher

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.

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Retro Review: Here Comes The Devil

By Less Lee Moore

If you’re familiar with Mexican horror films and are expecting something Gothic, spooky, and languorous from Adrián García Bogliano, you’re in for a surprise. Here Comes The Devil is going to scorch your eyeballs and bathe them in blood.

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Music Review: Casino Classics (Complete Collection)

By Noreen Sobczyk

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.

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Music Review: Hear The Bang: The Life and Music of Denny Lile

By Melissa Bratcher

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.

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Music Review: The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes and The Course Of Country Music

By Melissa Bratcher

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.

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The Official Popshifter Podcast, Episode #03: Hallowand

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.

Reviews:

Music Review: Wand, 1000 Days

DVD Review: A Plague So Pleasant

Blu-Ray Review: The Walking Dead, Season Five

Blu-Ray Review, Morituris: Legions Of The Dead

By Jeffery X Martin

TRIGGER WARNING: The following review contains descriptions of sexual abuse, foul language, and general post-film grumpiness.

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Music Review: The Edge of Daybreak, Eyes of Love

By Tyler Hodg

The apocryphal story of The Edge of Daybreak’s 1979 album, Eyes of Love, is one worth telling. Recorded in a Virginia penitentiary, the band was comprised of inmates—who committed crimes ranging from assault to armed robbery—all with a common love for soul music. The tapes were shipped out to a local record company who released the music to those on the outside. Eyes of Love wasn’t a massive success by any means, but its mythological presence is intriguing nonetheless. Thanks to a re-release, The Edge of Daybreak’s music lives on.

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