Review: Branx Brings The Funk On Debut EP “Look But Don’t Touch”
–Written by Kevin Madert
When foraying into the ever widening future-funk landscape, it’s good to have two things: serious talent and serious friends. Branx (formerly DCarls) has more than enough of the former to not even need the latter, but it doesn’t hurt when everyone from Gramatik to Opiuo is singing your praises. Case in point: the producer’s debut EP under his current moniker, Look But Don’t Touch. Over five tracks he pilots the listener on a funk-fueled odyssey, often changing the tempo but never straying from the crisp basslines and shimmering synths that shape the album tonally.
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Review: Four Year Strong’s Career-Affirming “Go Down In History”
–Written by Michael Hogan
Every city has their hometown heroes – those bands they’re going to cheer on no matter where they go, be it the other side of the world or that shitty VFW down the street. They’re so meaningful to so many different people that the very idea of them brings a city together, rallying behind them in support of every show, every new album, every single.
When I lived in Boston, we were incredibly lucky to have a huge and diverse music scene. Everything from post-hardcore and metal to pop-punk and hardcore was equally represented. Hell, we can even lay claim to some extremely talented progressive and post-rock bands.
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Review: United Nations’ Brutal Sophomore Effort “The Next Four Years”
–Written by Michael Hogan
I first heard about United Nations not long after the release of their debut album. They were very secretive about everything, going so far as to wear matching Ronald Reagan masks and not telling anyone who was actually in the band. It didn’t take long for astute listeners to determine that Geoff Rickley and Daryl Palumbo (of Thursday and Glassjaw, respectively) were a part of the project – pretty solid credentials on their own. I was really sold when I heard Converge drummer Ben Koller had something to do with it.
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Review: On Being The Old Guy At Warped Tour, And Why That Might Not Be So Bad
–Words by Kevin Madert
The following took place between the hours of 11:00 am and 10:00 pm on July 22, 2014. The following is a firsthand account. The following is a true story.
Traffic. This being my fourth Warped I should have expected such a thing. The thruways around Merriweather Post Pavilion aren’t expressly equipped to handle such a single-day influx. Predictable as the predicament is, it’s no less brow furrowing. I bet the pioneers didn’t have to deal with covered wagon backups on the old dusty trail. Then again, they didn’t have a nation-touring 70+ band all day experience to enjoy either. A few moments pass wherein I contemplate Warped Tour circa 1868. Gives brand new meaning to the term “bandwagon,” eh?
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