Weekend Warm-Up No. 4: Rad Drummers
–Words and list by Michael Hogan
Do you remember sitting in chemistry class in high school, trying to figure out a new concept, and your brain just keeps stumbling over itself? You’re reaching to understand something, and you feel like you’re so close, but it’s always just out of reach? Maybe I’m just especially terrible at chemistry (I am), but this same principle applies to these tracks, featuring some of the gnarliest drumming ever recorded.
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Weekend Wind-Down No. 3: MelodicDub
–Words and list by Kevin Madert
In the dubstep realm, “filthy drops” and “sick wubs” often overshadow the sonic landscape. EDM buzzwords aside, there are plenty of nooks and crannies at 140 beats per minute, and this week’s wind-down is dedicated to melodies and intricacies. While songs like Enigma Dubz’ “Make Up Your Mind” and Blackmill’s “Let It Be” could serve as definitions for the subgenre, others barely feel like dubstep at all – Phaeleh’s rework of Ludovico Einaudi’s “Walk” is so nuanced you’ll barely notice the sub-bass brush strokes.
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Weekend Warm-Up No. 3: Punk That Pops
–Words and list by Kevin Madert
Nothing quite compares to the all-around upbeat nature of a well-crafted pop-punk tune. Major chord progressions, scything drum kicks, and positive to a fault lyrics delivered with a boyish (or girlish) smirk. My inner 10th grader couldn’t help but pump his fist and pretend every word was written to describe me. Whether on the heavy side – “Beatdown in the Key of Happy” and “The Downfall of Us All” drip with post-hardcore – or lighter fare – “Everything Is Alright” and “Plays Pretty For Baby” for starters – it’s all nostalgic, and it’s all too damn catchy.
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In Case You Missed It: Moving Mountains Go Out With A Beautiful Bang
–Remembered by Michael Hogan
Before I get started, I have to be honest with you guys: I feel a bit of trepidation including this album in our ICYMI series. Those of you out there that know who Moving Mountains are LOVE them, and I mean ferociously so. I’ve only ever heard two responses when Moving Mountains are brought up; either “they’re amazing”, or “who the hell are Moving Mountains?” I don’t know if I’ve ever really heard a bad word spoken about them, except in response to their rather sudden and supposedly permanent hiatus. So those that fall into the former category, this will be a sort of ‘duh’ article for you – of course you know this album, and of course you know it’s awesome. For the rest of you, I’m going to need your undivided attention for a few minutes.
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Preview: Feed Me Set To Sink His Teeth Into 9:30 Club
–Written by Kayla Kiser
Sir Jon Gooch – aka Feed Me – is at it again. He recently released a new EP and just embarked on a North American tour, featuring a new spin on his self-designed “Teeth” production set-up. The Psychedelic Journey EP dropped just a few weeks ago, and he’s been working hard on the stage production, keeping fans updated via Facebook and Instagram every step of the way.
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Review: Phaeleh Gives Back with “Somnus”
–Reviewed by Mike Hogan
I’ve always been very impressed with how Phaeleh could accomplish so much using so little. All of his tracks are so minimalistic, yet so full. Take “Here Comes the Sun” off his 2013 full length, Tides, the majority of the song is just a drum track, a very simple bass line, vocals, and some very subtle atmospherics layered way in the back of the track. But it never feels like that little. It seems like a complete, complex track, one that actually feels a lot more whole than most other tracks out there.
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