Sell Out Records - A Music Review Blog

Artists are often times held under 1 banner and that’s it. Figures of Light cannot be described with just one word, although they are one of the best examples of proto-punk. Even that genre is too small for them, because they bring together elements from across the musical world and create something that is truly unique. With the release of “The Power” they once again push the boundaries of labels and make something that is not only worth listening to, it’s imperative to do so. I hear it all the time, “music all sounds the same”, “the radio sucks”, and the classic “there’s no good new music”, and I always tell people they aren’t listening. Here’s a prime example of something new, mixed with elements of things old, but not in the way that hip hop acts sample records. This is something outside of the world of carbon copied, and sampled elements, and can only be called art. You get ambience, rock guitars, fast pacing, and blends of blistering musical integrity that people should be ...

There’s a ton of bands and artists trying to get back that 1980s glam metal sound, and most of them are awful. But as the old adage goes, cream rises to the top and this time around, Vitne comes charging ahead with one of the coolest records to come out in a while. This is not a glam rock record, it’s an artistic representation of the 1980s metal frenzy with an updated sound and exquisite guitar work that is definitely going to raise a lot of eyebrows. Vitne’s latest release “Neon” is one of the coolest rock records to come out and it’s bound to get more attention, if people just wake up. At first glance, you’ll think that this is a revival act, but by the time you get past “Destroyer” the lead track, you are going to get pummeled with a rock sound that is all new. It’s not rehashed, it’s not a cover act, it’s 100% metal infused rock and roll, the likes that you would find from acts like Motley Crue, Van Halen, and even early Guns N Roses. No pretense here, just a lot of rock music, ...

It’s always refreshing to hear new music, especially alternative artists that work within a framework of creativity that is missing from a lot of modern records. Ian Marquis does just that on his release “Faces From The Static” and it really does take you back a more transformative time in music. The album features a mix of different tones, with a focus on songwriting from the ground up. It has a very moody and interchanging presence, without taking you away from a creative standpoint. The opening track sets you up for a nice trip down to the 1980s alternative acts like The Jesus and Mary Chain, without the fuzz and noise of “Psychocandy”. “Hide and Seek” is a good opener that really sets up a lot more creative turns down the record including “Help Me Make It To The Night”, “Venus Aphasia” and much more. With this album you get a taste of synthetic sounds, keyboards, guitar, guitar work, heavy drumming at times, and a lot of attention to the sound and design of the layers. This is ...

Tommy Homonym is one of those singers that you completely miss because the music business moves so fast sometimes. However, much like Susan Boyle bloomed late and proved to be an incredible voice for music, Tommy has done something incredible. Tommy records music an attic in New Jersey with what some have stated to be an imaginary band, the Solitunes. With the release of his first record, “Uglier Than You”, he showcases a voice of talent that you’re going to absolutely enjoy. At times he harkens back to an older time, with vocal styling that are very much a part of cinema’s long illustrious history. The record came out in October of this year, with 9 original songs, and a cover of “What’s There to Eat” by Christine Cochran. The songs open up a multi-layered song structure with Tommy’s voice at the helm. It carries across so much interesting tones that you will be hard-pressed to not be taken away to another place, and time. Standout tracks include the opening track “What’s there ...

Another day, another round up of records that I played through. I’m having a terrible month, and even though the holiday season should be full of joy and not about anything else, it’s really crappy. I’ve had to deal with a lot of financial troubles, to the point where everything is on hold. At the same time, I’m trying to hire writers to give me more time to work, and I’m trying to establish all sorts of new things to work on for next year. I want it to be the most productive year in terms of writing yet, and at the same time, I’m trying to register for my next set of classes for college. As long as I am enrolled, I can chip away at that coveted master’s degree. They can’t take it away once I get it, so it’s what I am aiming for right now. The following records are a mixed bag, mostly from the 2000s, and do not represent everything I listened to. I took time to listen to a mix tape from an up and coming rapper, listened to the albums reviewed recently, ended the day on a fast note ...

Late every Saturday night, there was a program run on television, public access to be exact and it was called Punk O Rama. I asked several writers whether or not they have heard of this show, and no one really knew about it. If the roles would’ve been reversed, I would have done some research, but that’s me, not them. That’s not to say that they weren’t good, but I feel that I’m in a minority of minorities that seemed to stay up late and watch public access, because I was poor and had no friends. Now a days, I’m still poor and have no friends, but that is beside the point. Today on the Video Corner , we’re featuring a song that really slowed things down for the guys in Pennywise . It may be one of their biggest hits, still being played on Kroq and other stations. The song is called “Alien” and it’s part of their stellar release, “Straight Ahead” . “Straight Ahead” represents my favorite record from Pennywise. They put out incredible music, but this album really drives the nail home...