Album Review: The Call of The Iron Peak by The Devil’s Trade

I have heard a lot of artists talk about the idea of channeling negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, pain, and sorrow into their art. This process can often be cathartic and even healing for both artist and witness. Perhaps the process of facing these difficult topics and feelings via the medium of art allows… Continue reading Album Review: The Call of The Iron Peak by The Devil’s Trade

EP Review: All The Pretty Little Horses by Henry Derek Ellis

Metal is often ignored by the mainstream media and sometimes belittled by those who can’t see past the loud and seemingly unwelcoming surface of the music. In spite of this — or perhaps, because of it — the metal community has continued to thrive as a supportive and welcoming scene. In the past, though, there… Continue reading EP Review: All The Pretty Little Horses by Henry Derek Ellis

Listening Lately: Benjamin Tod’s A Heart of Gold is Hard to Find

Benjamin Tod, the youthful but hardscrabble co-founder of the Lost Dog Street Band, is releasing his second solo album on November 22nd via Anti-Corporate Music.  The  quiet Americana ballads on A Heart of Gold is Hard to Find, just vocals and acoustic guitar, are full of regret, melancholy, and at times self-loathing. His lyrics have… Continue reading Listening Lately: Benjamin Tod’s A Heart of Gold is Hard to Find

Listening Lately: Cult of Sorrow, Markov Soroka, and Matt Heckler

This week’s edition of Listening Lately is ALL over the place… Opening with audio of a Satanic ritual is one way to make a statement — and that’s how the first track of Cult of Sorrow’s new album  begins, with some kind of movie sample blasting into high-octane trad metal riffage.  The Ohio band is… Continue reading Listening Lately: Cult of Sorrow, Markov Soroka, and Matt Heckler

Album Review: Them Damn Hamiltons’ Smoke From the Well

Can music sound like bare feet on a mossy path or waves up against a dock?  With their new album Smoke From the Well, Connecticut folkies Them Damn Hamiltons will have you feeling the damp and smelling the salt. TDH has a modern take on folk music, but they never lose the threads of storytelling… Continue reading Album Review: Them Damn Hamiltons’ Smoke From the Well

Brown Bird to Fly into Newtown

By Amanda Bloom Originally published in The Mercurial, 7/30/12. The Edmond Town Hall Theater, on Newtown, Connecticut’s historic Main Street, is well-known for its two dollar movies, the annual Lathrop School of Dance Stardust Review, and it’s Great Depression-era architectural charm. In my youth, I had a floor hockey birthday party in Edmond’s lower level… Continue reading Brown Bird to Fly into Newtown

“New” Music for the New Year — Jessie’s Picks

  It’s a bit incongruous with most of the bands I end up in, but I love folk music. Here are some locals I recommend: The String Fingers Band — This Easton folk outfit just released their second album, Don’t Forget.  Voted “Best Bluegrass Band” by Fairfield County Weekly readers for the past two years,… Continue reading “New” Music for the New Year — Jessie’s Picks