Loop Guru “Bathtime with Loop Guru” (Hypnotic Records) As the title suggests, this is a relaxing album of slow-groove beats that would enhance a relaxing soak in the tub. This serene feeling is enhanced by the tranquil sound of horns…
Michael Lee Hill “Frozen Thought’ (Moment Point Records) This is the sophomore release from guitar impressionist Michael Lee Hill. On this CD, he makes an “attempt to communicate emotions, ideas, and feelings…” There is a different mood to each track…
Mico “Outside the Unbearable Grows”” (G7 Welcoming Committee Records) Mico has obviously done their homework. I hear elements of so many great bands and so many great albums such as Jawbreaker’s “Unfun”, Seaweed’s “Spanaway”, and Samiam’s “Billy”. This is not…
Mondo Topless “Go Fast!” (Get Hip) Part of the charm of vintage, ’60s psych-rock is the primal, visceral energy channeled through the keyhole of the day’s available analog technology. The trend in the garage rock revival is to amp it…
Jared Grabb / The Lesser Birds of Paradise ““Reading Light”” (Thinker Thought Records) The first act on this four song split, Jared Grabb, is an acoustic driven contemporary of the early recordings of Dashboard Confessionals. When a band can rely…
Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars “Self-Titled” (Jagjaruwar) I’m wiping the tears away as I write. This is probably on of the best indie records I’ve heard all year and it comes from an artist that really deserves all the…
Kaz Murphy “Devil in the Barn” (Barn Wall Records) Kaz’s roots rock album with a strong country bent is a trove of excellent songs. There are ten original pieces as well as a Western ballad rendition of “Castles Made of…
Lee “Scratch” Perry “Cutting Razor: Rare Cuts from The Black Ark” (Heartbeat) Before 1973 Lee Perry had to constrain his genius and creativity through the lens of other peoples’ studios, often when he was hired for work. However, at the…
Lifter-Puller “Soft Rock” (The Self-Starter Foundation) In a perfect world, Lifter Puller would have been on the first cover of Modern Fix. That was my plan. They were the hippest thing I had found in months at the time. Then…
Living Things “Turn in Your Friends and Neighbors” (DreamWorks) Three brothers from St. Louis playing a bluesy ‘Stooges rock, heavy on the downstroke, muted guitar chord approach. There is a simple charm to the structures that adds dimension to singer…