My buddy Marco G has been sending Alternative Control albums to review for a couple years, and Downward Spiral’s self-titled debut EP is my favorite so far. It builds on the musical ideas from his previous group Stikpin and the production is radio-ready. Marco plays guitar in the current incarnation, joined by Stikpin vocalist Chris… Continue reading EP Review: Downward Spiral
Tag: music
Album Review: Phat Astronaut Live
In a world that’s recorded to a click track and run through autotune… Where the sound of instruments is replaced with electronic imitations of the sound of instruments… One local band had the courage…. To release… A LIVE ALBUM… Recorded… At their FIRST SHOW. Okay, end movie trailer voice. Seriously though, who does that? Great… Continue reading Album Review: Phat Astronaut Live
Baldwin’s Choice: Moonsorrow
Glowing praise needs to be stated for a band who never seems to be confused about their musical direction. I’m not talking merely on an album to album basis, but song by epic song. For a band who defines themselves on ambitious pieces of Viking metal of exceeding song length, Moonsorrow’s track record is almost… Continue reading Baldwin’s Choice: Moonsorrow
An Interview with Manuel Gagneux, the Artist Behind Zeal & Ardor
From the first notes of eponymous opening track “Devil is Fine” — harmonized call and response vocals punctuated by the clink of chains — you know that Zeal & Ardor is a different kind of metal. The brainchild of Swiss-American musician Manuel Gagneux, this project melds Delta blues and black metal in a way that Robert… Continue reading An Interview with Manuel Gagneux, the Artist Behind Zeal & Ardor
Bair Grills… Civil Lividity by Continuum
Continuum, n: “A continuous sequence in which adjacent elements are not perceptibly different from each other, although the extremes are quite distinct.” Before reviewing this recent release from one of Connecticut’s most prominent local metal bands, I looked up the definition of “continuum” for shits and giggles. What I found was an entire article… Continue reading Bair Grills… Civil Lividity by Continuum
Album Review: Marty McKay’s New York City Dreams
In his upcoming album New York City Dreams, Zurich-based rock artist Marty McKay presents a “Lifetime Original” vision of what could be across the Atlantic. His Big Apple is an expected path of standard song structures, lyrics, and vocal arrangements that will be at home on soft contemporary radio, but probably won’t inspire much passion… Continue reading Album Review: Marty McKay’s New York City Dreams
Baldwin’s Choice: Miles Davis
It’s Black History Month and my choice is Miles Davis. So many things have been said about the man’s brilliance and importance. He’s regarded as one of the 20th century’s top composers. And the reasons for it are chocked full with so much music theory bullshit. I don’t know how to play jazz music, and… Continue reading Baldwin’s Choice: Miles Davis