Sometimes we’re not able to get on board the hype train immediately when it leaves the station (Even if we have a ticket!) but also sometimes we’re able to catch the same train when it makes its’ return trip so in the case of The Shang Hi Los, we might’ve missed our initial time to wax poetic on all things “Op-Operator” but with an accompanying video treatment from Joan Hathaway on the, ahem, way it looks like the time once again is now.
[Read more…]TELL Ready Their Coming Out Party With Alt Americana Life In Reverse
Your favorite new artist of 2024 is already here?!?! That can’t be right, can it? But just listen to the Alt Americana meanderings coming out of Boston’s TELL and, ahem, tell us we’re wrong, okay?
[Read more…]Singles! Lovina Falls, “On Your Side”
Y’all remember Mistle Thrush??? For the uninitiated, you’re welcome for cluing you in to this iconic underground Boston outfit (Check ’em out here)! And for those in the know, surely you remember the area’s preeminent authority of Dream Pop and Indie Alt?!?! Regardless of if you fall into the former or latter category, MT vocalist/songwriter Valerie Forgione has something new for you with a recently released solo outing under the banner of Lovina Falls who is readying a stunning video treatment for the equally stunning track “On Your Side”.
[Read more…]Eddie Japan Masterfully Weave An Epic Aural Story On Ambitious Pop Fiction
We have a lot of those “What were we thinking???” moments over in RNRF land regarding missed opportunities with new releases. Whether it’s the dreaded “too many tabs open” problem causing a release to get lost in a sea of promos or just a matter of running out of time before street date, we’ll admit that we regularly eff up and move on. In some cases, like today with Eddie Japan, we find ourselves utterly enthralled after the fact and will occasionally go back on our rule of not posting a review after a record releases.
[Read more…]Second Grave release Antithesis, prepare to destroy Cambridge on Saturday then the World!
It’s not often that heavy metal has the perfect combination of ear-crunching music and pristine vocals. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Second Grave play to a sparse crowd at Ralph’s earlier in the year when they managed to hit that mark. Their new EP Antithesis promises not to disappoint.
Krista Van Guilder has a croon that calls to mind the timbre of some of metal’s greatest vocalists in a way that’s distinctly feminine and entirely satisfying, while her deep-throated scream is no joke. Her guitar combined with Chris Drzal’s, counterpointed by Dave Gein on bass and Chuck Ferreira on drums results in delightful headbang anthems. Breakdowns are executed expertly and perfectly timed for horn-raising catcalls from live audiences.
Do yourself a favor and add them to your library; there’s no way you’ll be disappointed. If you’re local to the Boston area, get your ass to the Middle East November 30th to see them with Summoner, Rozamov, and Jack Burton Vs David Lo Pan. I’ll be the one up front screaming my face off with glee — bring me a gin ‘n’ tonic and we’ll be pals for life.