“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” In every year that goes by at Alternative Control, we increase both our wisdom and our foolishness! In some ways, it was a rough year for both the nation and our local… Continue reading If You’re Too Old, It’s Too Loud: 2017 in Review
Baldwin’s Choice: Arvo Pärt
Sometimes the best music is the kind that transcends its composer. I’m not talking about some prog rocker’s ridiculous concept album about worshiping leaves, or some self-important indie rocker making the end of a relationship with his girlfriend into a pseudo-intellectual lecture on depression. I’m talking about musical notes that are written, organized and played… Continue reading Baldwin’s Choice: Arvo Pärt
Baldwin’s Top Albums of 2017
No matter which way I tried to approach this introduction, I couldn’t keep from sounding like some sort of elitist music snob. So let’s keep things simple here. These are the twenty albums I’ve heard this year that made the biggest impression on me. I think they’re really fucking awesome. I’m not going to lecture… Continue reading Baldwin’s Top Albums of 2017
Single Review: Sinoptik’s Standalone Syndrome
Ukrainian indie rockers Sinoptik just released a new single, “Standalone Syndrome.” Says the band, “This story is about the hardship of being yourself in this reality. Reality itself can leave just a tiny ghost in your identity. You did all you possibly can, and still you didn’t get anywhere near your aim. But you will… Continue reading Single Review: Sinoptik’s Standalone Syndrome
EP Review: NYDTyson’s If You’re So Smart, Why Are You So Sad?
The debut EP from garage rock duo NYDTyson is irreverent at times and relaxed at others. If You’re So Smart, Why Are You So Sad? experiments with meter, dynamics, and effects to create a paradox befitting of the album title. My favorite track was “Who Cares?,” a slow number with some nice bass grooves that kick in… Continue reading EP Review: NYDTyson’s If You’re So Smart, Why Are You So Sad?
Album Review: Psychocide’s Alcohol & Bad Decisions
The March 2017 album from Canadian rockers Psychocide, aptly titled Alcohol & Bad Decisions, is surprisingly catchy for being named after a cliche of everyone’s early twenties. (Or mid… Or late… Or early thirties…) But there’s truth in cliche — in “Temporary Friends,” Goldwyn Thandrayen croons, “Seems I could never get this right.” Haven’t we all… Continue reading Album Review: Psychocide’s Alcohol & Bad Decisions
The Battle for Net Neutrality: Don’t Let the ISPs Win
By Christopher Baldwin and Jessie May If you’ve been on the internet recently, you know that the FCC plans to repeal net neutrality regulations on Thursday, December 14th, 2017. The reasoning behind this move defies logical explanation, as it only benefits internet service providers. But in spite of a deluge of protests from individuals and… Continue reading The Battle for Net Neutrality: Don’t Let the ISPs Win