Tag: review

  • Nebula – Holy Shit

    Nebula – Holy Shit

    Nebula might be Exhibit A of why it’s better to burn out than to fade away. After establishing themselves at the forefront of the stoner rock scene in the late 90’s, they spent the better part of the aughts putting on subpar performances to dwindling crowds, breaking up in the middle of one tour, calling…

  • Beastwars – IV

    Beastwars – IV

    The band that put New Zealand on the doom-metal map is back with their fourth full-length effort. IV sees Beastwars return with another platter of raw, visceral, doom/sludge, clocking in just shy of 38 minutes. “Raise the Sword” comes rumbling out of the gate, with a rough-and-tumble riff a la slow-mo High on Fire. Verses…

  • Atala – The Bearer of Light

    Atala – The Bearer of Light

    Maybe it’s because they’re from the middle of nowhere, but I feel that California desert doom trio Atala never gets the respect they deserve. These guys play the kind of doom that Saint Vitus made famous, and their last couple records were produced by the likes of Scott Reeder and Billy Anderson… but you still…

  • The Ratchets – First Light LP

    The Ratchets – First Light LP

    Anyone who has followed my contributions to this column likely already knows and understands that, while my coverage of vinyl records is very format-focused, I do not believe that the format itself deserves much discussion. Simply said, I do a lot of vinyl coverage because I like the SOUND of vinyl records – the color…

  • Baker Gurvitz Army – Since Beginning: The Albums 1974-1976

    Baker Gurvitz Army – Since Beginning: The Albums 1974-1976

    Once again Esoteric must be applauded for releasing a superb box-set that is not just a pleasure to listen to but also historically important. The Baker Gurvitz Army was formed in 1974 by former Gun and Three Man Army members Paul Gurvitz on bass/vocal, Adam Gurvitz on guitar/vocal, and Cram legend Ginger Baker on drums……

  • The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – four-album collection (1963-1967)

    The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – four-album collection (1963-1967)

    In Person At Carnegie Hall / Recorded Live In Ireland / In Concert / Freedom’s Sons One of my earliest childhood memories is listening to The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem it is impossible to convey to anyone who hasn’t experienced living in a country that isn’t your home, the importance of their music to…

  • Yawning Man – The Revolt Against Tired Noises

    Yawning Man – The Revolt Against Tired Noises

    I’m kicking myself here! I’m a “big” stoner rock guy but I’ve never really listened to Yawning Man that much. I know of them but just never got around to spending much time with them until now. I have been missing out! What you won’t be missing out on is vocals. OK, two songs have…

  • Louise Lemon – A Broken Heart is an Open Heart (LP/2CD set)

    Louise Lemon – A Broken Heart is an Open Heart (LP/2CD set)

    As intellectually evasive as music genre names have the capacity to be (dig into music history, and you’ll realize how silly sub-genre names get – take post-hardcore or “screamo” for just two examples), there’s no question that Death Gospel (or Doom Gospel – depending upon the press release that one reads) chanteuse Louise Lemon has…