The Tubs - "Dead Meat" | Album Review
The Tubs trade the thumping punk undertones of their former band (Joanna Gruesome) for shimmery jangle, an ode to the energetic melody of late 80s college rock. With layers of hooks and harmony swirling around dark and introspective lyrical themes, Dead Meat reveals itself slowly, a dense work of complex, vibrant pop.
Thousandaire - "Ideal Conditions" | Album Review
A stellar collection of nine fuzzy, muscular anthems, Ideal Conditions mines similar ground as their debut – hazy, midtempo slacker rock. Silkworm is an easy reference point; the tracks are driven by a beefy rhythm section with blasts of distorted guitar setting up soaring solos, each song rising to a dramatic crescendo before crashing down.
Rider/Horse - "Feed 'Em Salt" | Album Review
One of the few silver linings of the lockdown was the formation of Rider/Horse, a pairing of Kingston, NY musicians Cory Plump (Spray Paint) and Chris Turco (Trans Am), whose chugging, electro-noise debut was one of the finest albums of 2021. The band returns with a more dense, varied and fully-formed LP, Feed ‘Em Salt.
Smirk - "Material" | Album Review
Ten tracks of tangled, anxious but melodic punk, Material is the latest from Smirk, the solo project of Los Angeles guitarist Nick Vicario (Public Eye, Crisis Man). The followup to two 2021 releases, the album typifies the punchy, lo-fi aesthetic of the Feel It roster, while embracing both ‘70s-flavored rock guitar jams and jittery new wave of the ‘80s.
Ribbon Stage - "Hit With The Most" | Album Review
Enter Hit With The Most, the band’s latest. Intended as a love letter to its obvious early ‘80s pop influences, the album is mostly distorted guitars over mid-tempo slacker rock. Ribbon Stage is big on subtlety, vocals back in the mix and nary a cymbal on the record – the result is an almost unwavering focus on simplicity and melody.