Gil Scott-Heron : I’m New Here :: Review
Gil Scott-Heron’s album “I’m New Here” is a first in many ways. It marks the first time the legendary wordsmith and jazz poet has recorded in sixteen years and also the first album for XL Recordings. Gil Scott-Heron was signed to XL Recordings while incarcerated at Rikers Island prison on drug charges. Although Scott-Heron used to rail against drug usage in the 1970’s, it seems that he had fallen upon hard times and ultimately his music proved to be prophetic. Thankfully, “I’m New Here” offers a way back from oblivion and subsequently can introduce a new generation of listeners to ...
Pantha Du Prince : Black Noise :: Review
Pantha Du Prince’s new album “Black Noise” is an eclectic cacophony of both ambient sound and electronic soundscapes that create a bewitching listen. While listening to “Black Noise” you’ll feel as if you’ve been taken out of your element and dropped into a weird new dimension of sight and sound where your fantasies become realities and with apologies to Rod Serling. “Black Noise” was recorded in the Swiss Alps and often feels like a product of its surroundings in several tracks especially the chilly “The Splendour.” Elsewhere the album chimes and sputters along in sunny fashion, “Welt Am Draht.” The mood ...
Rob Zombie : Hellbilly Deluxe 2 :: Review
Rob Zombie is an incredibly gifted performer who has created a niche industry focused on his talents as a musician, artist, director, producer, animator and artist. With all of these hats to wear and because of his in demand directing skills, it seems obvious that one of these areas where he is proficient would suffer. Sadly enough, the area that suffered the most was his music, which seems like it has been coasting along on pure shtick value for years. Zombie’s aural homage to EC Comics and Creepy Magazine seemed tired by the time that White Zombie broke up in ...
The Magnetic Fields : Realism :: Review
Every single review (this one included) of “Realism” has made mention of The Magnetic Field’s epic achievement “69 Love Songs” rather than focus on the new album. When the review does acknowledge “Realism,” the critics brush it off and state that it’s not as important as that immense collection of songs that arrived when they were in their elementary years. For the record, there needs to be a clearing of the slate when an artist releases a big statement and then follows it up with other efforts. How embarrassing would be if you created one great thing years ago and followed ...
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Read More Posts From Site UpdatesFeatured Tunes
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM: Cascadian & Australian Tour Updates
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM are preparing to embark on their Cascadian Tour 2010,...
Avi Buffalo announce US tour dates
Avi Buffalo was once just the kid named Avi (short for Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg)....
Micachu & Kwes Remix Bomb The Bass
With the shrink-wrapping still cooling on copies of Future Chaos, Bomb The Bass mastermind...
Read More Posts From Featured TunesFeatured Geek
Chet Zar Update
The ever prolific Chet Zar writes, “Hope you all are having a good new year....
Michael Pukac at The Hive Gallery :: Sneak Peek
“The Hive was the very first gallery I walked into when I first moved to...
Release the Squadts! : Kenny Wong COPPERHEAD WHITE
KENNY WONG X FERG – COPPERHEAD WHITE SPECIMEN Release Info: The release date...
Read More Posts From Featured GeekAlbum Reviews
Motion City Soundtrack : My Dinosaur Life :: Review
Poppy punk took a nosedive when Weezer started to suck about the time that “The Green Album” arrived. Fans of the genre can rejoice now that Motion City Soundtrack has picked up the reins for the genre under the guiding hand of producer Mark Hoppus. Smart lyrics, driving melodies and catchy hooks fill Motion City Soundtrack’s fourth album... [Read more of this review]
Never Shout Never : What Is Love :: Review
The album cover to Never Shout Never’s proper debut “What Is Love’ reminded me of Ministry’s “With Sympathy” and this had me interested. Having never heard of Never Shout Never, I wondered what sort of savant had compromised the dead roses motif from the legendary industrial icons. To my astonishment the music contained inside wasn’t... [Read more of this review]
Fucked Up : Couple Tracks : Single Tracks 2002-2009 ::Review
Fucked Up is the hardcore band that those who hate hardcore can adore, or that’s a tag line that is so contrived only I could come up with it. If only I ran a record store would I dispense that sort of gem to the unwashed who hasn’t heard of the little Canadian punk band fronted by legendary Fox News commentator Damian Abraham who also goes by... [Read more of this review]
Beach House : Teen Dream :: Review
Beach House’s junior album “Teen Dream” is a triumphant return to the woozy and melancholy melodies by principals Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. Their first album for Sub Pop, it sounds like Legrand and Scally were given the keys to the kingdom on this album allowing them to really deliver the goods. From the moment the album begins with... [Read more of this review]
Morningwood : Diamonds and Studs :: Review
If I were a tween girl, I might enjoy Morningwood’s sophomore effort, “Diamonds and Studs.” But I’m not, and Morningwood’s new album is one of the most infuriatingly poppy and insipidly banal albums I have ever heard, which is saying a lot. Coming across as a third rate Gwen Stefani, Morningwood singer Chantal Claret’s sexual puns grate... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From Album ReviewsMark's Rear View Mirror: A Look Back
That Sound! : The greatest rock bands with that organ sound
In the 60s one distinguishing feature of the mainly guitar based bands was augmenting the group with an organ. These were the days when a keyboard player in a band would be constrained by hauling a piano around as electronic keyboards were still in their infancy. Despite that, the hefty Hammond B3, C3 and smaller M100 series were used in concert. An... [Read more of this review]
Jimi Hendrix : Songwriter :: Are You Experienced
Much has been discussed about Hendrix’s guitar talents…but forgotten in all the technical jargon is the fact that he wrote, arranged, and produced fantastic songs. This is the real legacy of his genius. Hendrix emerged when Cream with Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker was the prime example of musical rock prowess. Like Cream, Hendrix fronted... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From Mark's Rear View MirrorVideos
Findlay Brown Live On Letterman : Love Will Find You + Tour Dates
Check out Findlay Brown live on David Letterman performing “Love Will Find You” and he’s appearing in California on some dates. http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/video/?pid=vw48B_B_TA5_L7J1nV_L5AHtcBYOl8a9&vs=Live%20on%20Letterman&play=true via Live On Letterman. 2/7 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom w/ NOUVELLE... [Read more of this review]
Green Day + Grammys = No Relevance
Not that Green Day had a lot of credibility left, but after this debacle I would say that they have none. I guess a Broadway show is pretty risky for a rock band and is the most logical choice for them to follow up an album. After all, Green Day still hasn’t sold out, have they? As I write this, I can’t get over how cozy my American... [Read more of this review]
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