The Black Heart Procession S/t Cargo/headhunter By: Eric G. The Black Heart Procession envelops you in a dank pool of loneliness and despair with its moody, melancholic balladeering. Pall A. Jenkins sings from the pit of his stomach about the tragic state of his heart over and over again: "Release My Heart", "Blue Water-Black Heart", […]

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Jets To Brazil Orange Rhyming Dictionary Jade Tree By: Eric G. After Jawbreaker sold out with its fourth and final album, Dear You, the band quickly dissipated in the wake of the ensuing backlash. Jets To Brazil is ex-Jawbreaker guitarist/vocalist Blake Schwarzenbach's new lease on life. Rounding out the trio are bassist Jeremy Chatelain, formerly […]

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Emanate: Various Artists Emanated Emanate By: Kerry M. The band listing of this Emanate Records compilation entitled “Emanated” reads like the periodic table of elements or the back of an old medicine bottle, featuring bands with names like Solenoid and Lillianthal and Sybarite. The music contained within, while primarily electronic, is not for fan’s of […]

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Alpha Pepper Melankolic By: Kerry M. Massive Attack’s label Melankolic has released some interesting material in this past year, including their highly praised release “Mezzanine.” This Melankolic recording consists of a collection of remixes from the band Alpha’s proper release entitled “Come From Heaven” in addition to some rare tracks. As with any “remix” project, […]

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The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Acme Matador By: Eric G. Acme is technically the seventh record from this New York City trio, but it wasn’t until 1993s Extra Width that the band perfected its caustic abrasiveness. The Blues Explosion sounds like Hasil Adkins setting fire to the Rolling Stones circa 1967. Jon Spencers macho rock […]

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Stereolab Aluminum Tunes Drag City By: Eric G. Aluminum Tunes compiles three LPs worth of rare tracks from this extremely prolific London-based band. If you’re already familiar with Stereolabs moog-drenched blend of Kraut-rock, Marxism, and 60s futurism, this compilation is an essential addition to your (by now) extensive collection; however, this is not the place […]

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Elliot Smith XO Dreamworks By: Eric G. I still can’t get over the fact that a former member of Heatmiser, who has recorded solo records for Kill Rock Stars, is on a label owned by Steven Speilberg. Seeing Smith at the Academy Awards holding hands with Celine Dion after performing his Oscar nominated track, Miss […]

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