Reviews

Albums, singles and shows, reviewed.

567 stories · Page 12 of 29

ReviewsAlbum Review: Trash Cat – Welcome To Trash CityTry not to say “quirky” when describing Trash Cat. Red-headed singer/bandleader Mary Claxton wields a sassy ukulele, backed by her husband Brian, a beardy University jazz instructor, and funky, mohawked baritone saxophonist Hayden Farr. (Say what?) Throw in references to Scooby Doo and titles like “Robot Girlfriend” and it pretty much seals the quirky deal. Plus, their release show takes place inside a laser tag arena. Say what?Kevin Johnston · Mar 25, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Triton – The AbyssThough it’s impossible to know, it’s safe to assume that while the world was “doing the Charleston,” H.P. Lovecraft had a very different tune in his head. Whilst writing his masterpiece about the terrifying sea beast Cthulhu, Triton’s The Abyss could easily have been the soundtrack.Nate Wilde · Mar 19, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Slow Caves – fallingOn March 22, Slow Caves will release their long-awaited debut full-length, falling: an eleven-song suite of the chillest right-crosses to the thorax you will find committed to wax in 2019.Ryan Murphy · Mar 16, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Infinite Conscious – BecomingGreeley’s Infinite Conscious has not only succeeded in paying offerings to the gods of the riff, but have also created a dark, adrenaline-pumping hunk of metal that caters to headbangers across the board. Catch Infinite Conscious at The Moxi Theater March 23 with Triton.Nate Wilde · Feb 26, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Race To Neptune – Abandon Fashion“Abandon Fashion” from Fort Collins’ Race To Neptune is a sturdy four track EP and one of the better modern interpretations of early ‘90s grunge and alternative rock. It’s reminiscent of the music that followed hair metal’s death in the ‘80s. But this is not a throwback album. Check R.T.N. out at Pinball Jones on March 1.Jay Wallace · Feb 21, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: DEBR4H – Taipei Rock CityMoving forward takes change. Luckily for indie synth pop fans, Jed Murphy did just that.Kevin Johnston · Feb 18, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Jenna McLean – Brighter DayJenna McLean abandons the path of the lounge songstress, instead programming “Brighter Day” like a horn player. As winner of Downbeat’s 2018 Outstanding Vocal Jazz Soloist award in the graduate category, McLean has truly refined her craft.Valerie Vampola · Feb 15, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Pedro The Lion – PhoenixAfter the release of Pedro The Lion’s 2004 record Achilles Heel, the term “emo” would be weaponised as a slur—by outsiders and longtime acolytes alike—and earnest and plaintive music was largely cast aside for the irreverent, angular, and abstract indie rock that would define much of the next decade. Fifteen years after the band’s last release, hordes of music listeners will gather in front of stages throughout 2019 t(including The Bluebird Feb 10) to see Pedro the Lion in support of its long-anticipated return on Polyvinyl Records.Ryan Murphy · Feb 8, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Pie Lombardi – Worry LinesPie Lombardi’s second album “Worry Lines” presents a somewhat autobiographical outlook. It’s a coming of age, but not quite a blossoming into the expectations set for oneself. “I’m trying to get into a bigger scope of just writing and not really thinking about what it’s supposed to sound like,” Lombardi says. “Worry Lines” releases January 25 with a Moxi Theater appearance supporting Neyla Pekarek.Valerie Vampola · Jan 22, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Kaitlyn Williams – SunsetThere’s a youthful power to Kaitlyn WIlliams’ lark-like breathiness. Her debut EP ‘Sunset’ reveals fun, Beyoncé-in-the-bathtub tones and vocal runs contrasting her stronger suit of vulnerable introversion a-la The Staves. Williams glides over electro-climaxes with cool touches of distant synth yowls. Slip into something more comfortable and prepare for a close, rewarding listen.Kevin Johnston · Jan 19, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: The Motet – Death Or DevotionDeath Or Devotion, The Motet’s ninth album, showcases the band’s reverence for the funk tradition through masterful execution of the style. Each track exudes booty-shaking energy, thanks to airtight grooves from the rhythm section, crisp but nasty horn lines, and soulful vocals. Catch them January 11 and 12 in Aspen and Telluride and at Red Rocks this summer.Alec Bell · Jan 7, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Greta Van Fleet – Anthem Of The Peaceful ArmyGreta Van Fleet have gained a lot of popularity by appealing to rockers both young and old. Their second full-length album Anthem Of The Peaceful Army once again pays homage, both musically and lyrically, to their heroes. You can hear melodic bits of John Paul Jones and the energy of Pete Townshend supporting the aggressive wails of Josh Kiszka, especially in tracks such as “When The Curtain Falls” and “Age of Man.”Valerie Vampola · Dec 17, 2018ReviewsAlbum Review: safekeeper – On Sludge SummitBoiled down into an emotional lo-fi art rock reminiscent of an early Modest Mouse, safekeeper is releasing the aptly named On Sludge Summit December 14. This five-track EP glistens with slow ride emo guitar licks and drunken yawls that drudge through at a satisfying pace. Catch them at Pinball Jones December 21.Laura Giagos · Dec 13, 2018ReviewsAlbum Review: Anthony Ruptak – A Place That Never ChangesIn a musical era defined by digital austerity, A Place That Never Changes is a powerful ode to maximalism, a carefully layered production of towering melodies and micro-cacophonies that cede just the right amount of space for Ruptak’s searing lyrical attack. It captures 2018 America’s prevailing feelings of confusion, anxiety and dread.Ryan Murphy · Dec 5, 2018ReviewsAlbum Review: Igaus Davis – Keep Your Candles Close ByKeep Your Candles Close By is sonically, emotionally intimate and thematically concise, teasing at something we won’t see pan out. Some strife within the band Igaus Davis has lead to this being their final release, creating sonically solemn vignettes of despair and resignation.Jack McManaman · Dec 2, 2018ReviewsSingle Review: Chess At Breakfast – Paper CraneWith Paper Crane, Chess at Breakfast stay true to their blend of atmospheric psychedelia and gut-hammering riffs, paired with lyrical themes of despair, angst and fantasy. The band goes on a musical journey from soft and subtle, gradually building with spacey synth leads to an all-out head bang, complete with a Gilmour-esque guitar solo and vocal effects spiced in for grungy flavor. The track ends with a satisfying glam-rock supernova for its climactic finale.Nate Wilde · Nov 27, 2018ReviewsAlbum Review: The Panoramic – Dead Trumpet CallNorthern Colorado’s metal fans have needs, and those needs are filled by the sheer sonic brutality of The Panoramic who surprise-dropped the independently released EP Dead Trumpet Call on October 13th. It’s fresh as new blood and proves that The Panoramic is as heavy as ever.Nate Wilde · Nov 15, 2018ReviewsAlbum Review: Bryce Merritt – CHROMA: IIIFreshly releasing CHROMA: III (the five-track follow up to 2017’s CHROMA: II) on October 26, Bryce Merritt is at it again with some of his best work yet. Both sexy and sleek, it could be read as disingenuous on the surface, but it shows a musician stepping out of his comfort zone and going for it. At its heart, that’s what all Bryce Merritt’s previous releases have been as well: pulling out all the stops and going for it.Jed Murphy · Nov 9, 2018ReviewsAlbum Review: Trash. – JanuaryTrash., in a way, has been a long time coming. Kayleigh Gutskey and Michael Olivier have been very active in the Colorado music scene for years, both together and separately. Once upon a time they were Greeley punk heroes Nasty Bunch of Bitches. Love it or hate it, there is a lot to respect – they are independently doing everything themselves. These aren’t your Bitches anymore, this is Trash.Jed Murphy · Nov 8, 2018ReviewsAlbum Review: Nelsen – The WindFashioning themselves as Americana rock, there’s a streak of folk influences in The Wind, but it’s really a rock album with nothing to prove. Nelsen showed up to BandWagon’s Battle of the Bands with only their raw talent and came close to winning their round. The Wind is the result of that polished, raw talent showcasing each member’s abilities.Jay Wallace · Nov 7, 2018