Sell Out Records - A Music Review Blog

Figures of Light continues to impress with their prolific release schedule. No other band seems to get the formula of releasing music quite like this one, and it shows. This time around they have put out a set of instrumentals and 3 new tracks that take the essence of the band, and strips it down to their main components. Figures of Light “The Instrumentals” is perhaps one of the best things I’ve heard this year so far. There’s a refreshing sound to these instrumental tracks that just works so well beyond any genre. Surfing USA With Figures of Light I’m originally from Southern California, and surf culture is huge. Living 4 miles from the beach for 27 years really got me into surfing, and along that came the classic surf rock from the past. Figures of Light taps right into that with some of my favorite songs they’ve ever put out. “Ninety-Nine (Minimalist Mix)" replaces “Wipeout” for me,  as my standard for surf music. It’s the powerful bass line that mixes well with the g...

I got an email out of the blue about Lore City. Usually people don’t email me, or find me through this blog. It’s not that I’m elusive, it’s just that I’m not writing for Alternative Press or Spin. Believe me, I’ve tried several times to get there, but for whatever reason I always get passed up. That’s neither here nor there, I’m just making it a point to say that it’s rare to get an email about music. All that aside, Lore City “Kill Your Dreams” is my introduction into a unique duo of music that has surprised me. I haven’t been this surprised since I saw Talk Demonic play in Silverlake, California with The Velvet Teen. (Ha, hipster references) There’s a fascinating quality to the record, something that you would definitely pick up on the first sounds. Lore City finds a way to get into your head. Take the beauty of Mazzy Star and mix in Denali, a little Portishead, and you may get a sense for what this musical duo is doing. You’ll find that it’s hard to peg them into one genre, but i...

I didn’t hear “Clarity” from Jimmy Eat World until I was a senior in high school. I was late on this record because I didn’t really explore passed “Bleed American”, which was getting a lot of radio and MTV play at the time. I recall Carson Daly saying that these guys were one of the hardest working bands in the United States. They were in fact opening acts for a ton of tours, and they were coming into their own with the release of the poorly titled “Bleed American”, which saw a few title changes, and even censorship thanks to 2001’s events. “Clarity” is one of the best independent rock records every put together. However, it fits into the “emo” and “indie” mold all the same. It’s like Death Cab For Cutie’s brother, or cousin. The band flows through long winded songs, creating over an hour of music with just 15 songs on the expanded edition. These are not short songs at all, and they play through a lot of instrumentation, and sometimes, it seems a bit long. That’s the key to the in...

Labor day, I hate it. No, I take it back. I don’t hate it. I just have found myself working on another holiday, and despite a nice weekend full of clients, I still feel the sting of bills and problems. It’s muggy here in Indianapolis, so what better way to celebrate another Monday than to reminisce about a record that came out in 2008 and taught me to grow up faster than I was developing. Beck put out “Modern Guilt” and I didn’t hear a lot of people talking about it . My coworkers at the time barely heard, with the exception of Will from Car Crash Set (say what’s up via Twitter here ). He always knew what was out, what was new, what sucked, and would be quick to tell me if something was lame. Then again, he was quick to also play unreleased music, b-sides, and so much more. Beck’s “Modern Guilt” is an interesting departure from what most people thought about the artist. Before this record came out I was listening to “Guero” in Santa Monica and Brentwood. My coworker at the time was ...

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I’ve reviewed a lot of Figures of Light records in the past, so when this came across my desk I thought I knew what was going to be heard. Then the first track played and it surprised me. Figures of Light once again break the mold and create a lavish display of musical hop scotch. Not satisfied with being put into one genre, the band pulls together influences across EDM, indie, garage, surf, and punk to create a lavish display of music. On “Good News At Last (Mike’s Mix)” you are given one of the best songs ever put to tape from the band. It’s this type of quality that made bands like Minus The Bear’s “Highly Refined Pirates” so many recommendations. Figures of Light’s second track on this release is by far my favorite. It pieces together everything I could want from a song, melting together my love for instrumentals, and the rock concepts that made me such a big Starflyer59 fan upon first hearing. This track is golden, on a record that has several stand out moments. The band do...

Screaming Females just blew away the Taylor Swift song "Shake it Off" with a stripped down, punk rock ethos filled anthem with a bass line that rocks and vocals that truly....well...shake things up! Check it out below: Now this is the best! What do you think? Drop me a line, I won't bite...hard. Screaming Females, wow.

After writing 17,000 words today, I wasn’t prepared to review a record, then “die:rot” hit the speakers, and my mood shifted. Bottoms latest release is a mix of electronic music, and pure exuberance. The opening track alone had me awake and alert, and into something quite new. The mix is solid, throwing together sound design that is definitely on par with some of the best electronic music I heard last year. However, where others seem to just throw in some random beats and underline them with signature time, Bottoms changes the formula. Within the first track alone you get several changes in terms of sound, design, and noise. The elements put together are layered, and flow to tell you a story that is quite impactful overall. If the first track doesn’t grab you up front, then the second and third tracks will change your mind. “Boring” and “Gasoline” take away the first track and create lavish new elements, while distributing the tropes of electronic music you’d come to expect. It’s d...

I first picked up “On A Wire” on a trip to Alaska . I found it at a used record store in the paper jewel case. I loved the record from the first time I heard “Overdue”. Over time, a lot of records from the past don’t really hold up to well, but the soundtrack of emotional disconnect revolves heavily around The Get Up Kids and their music. I even saw them live once. I bought 3 tickets, and recall inviting a friend of mine, but he refused to go on the grounds that it was the band. I invited a girl I met online, I don’t remember her real name but she couldn’t find me and ended up scalping a ticket into the show. I stood outside long enough to miss Hot Rod Circuit play. The show carried on and The Get Up Kids played a good show at the House of Blues in Sunset, long ago. They played carefully curated selections from their career, and they included several from this record. What stands out for me is not so much the title track, which is a great one, including the music video that comes thr...

Ty Segall channels a bit of the past with his latest release “Mr. Face”. There’s a progression here that comes straight out of the 1960s alternative rock movement, or rather folk rock at times. The title track comes straight at you from the side stage of Woodstock, but with a modern twist that is definitely interesting to listen to. I was surprised up front by the simplicity of the track, with excellent production and a strong build towards the end of what very well may be the best indie rock track I’ve heard in a long time. It’s with the strength of the first track that the rest of the record blossoms into a can’t miss experience. What “Mr. Face” misses in terms of electric rhythm, it makes up for on the rest of the disc, specifically “Circles”, which brings about all the missing components of the title track. This psychedelic twist of a song is definitely not what I was expecting after the initial hearing. I love the way it progresses into a 1970s enigmatic track. It’s something ...

When Dinosaur Jr. released “Without A Sound” I didn’t listen. It was 1997 and I was only 14 years old. I didn’t listen because I was too busy trying to collect the most punk rock cassette tapes and vinyl records that I could get my grubby hands on. I missed the boat in 1997, but have recently rediscovered the band, no thanks to WCW professional wrestler Raven. The band hit the studio in 1994 and came out with one hell of a record that is violent at times, emotional at times, and rivals any release that came out in 1994. That’s right, ANY alternative record can go toe to toe with Dinosaur Jr. “Without A Sound” and get a shot at glory. Six albums into their career, the band really came across with a polished sound. The guitar driven record sits well with alternative rockers, but it’s the melodic drumming and precision bass lines that really capture the essence of the bands rollercoaster. It is definitely defined through the opening track “Feel The Pain”, which landed the band on the B...

Miriam Crespo got me, right in the heart with this track. This folk, country, rock tune is such a good mix of music. It’s got a real folk sound, but with an indie push that reminds me a bit of Neko Case, but a bit more mature in sound. This is a very heart filled website, and it’s the first track from the artist’s upcoming record. This is a strong song full of emotion. It tells a story, and it paints you a picture. It’s as though someone is there with you, talking to you about the world around them. I found myself having to listen to this track several times as the overall emotion poured through the lyrics. There’s always something unique about folk and country singers, especially when you start to break down the overall flow of their vocals and connect the dots of their backing bands. Miriam Crespo’s vocals flow nicely over the eclectic band that gives you several notes to float on. I love the interludes, the notes, and the vocals which all connect to the soul. I love it. “Thi...

Panda Bear is the brain child of Noah Lennox. Don’t remember that name? Well, he’s the founding member of Animal Collective, and the guy has been pushing music for quite some time. In this release he takes a bottle, smashes it open, and then makes art of the pieces. I mean that in a musical way, as this is an experimental EP that delivers on all the right pieces, and creates an image of the artist that you are not going to find with other albums right now. “Mr. Noah” is an EP that is all over the place in consideration of arranging music. It doesn’t have a set genre, although the electronic vibe is definitely in place here. You get a mosaic of sounds when you listen, and it’s very creative, and personal on many levels. “Faces In The Crowd” stands out as my favorite track, as it goes up and down in terms of sound design and features some very interesting notes. I like the way it flows through the noise and comes together with vocals that are all but poignant, and saturated underneat...

Sursum Verbo has released a strong contender for my favorite record this year. I know I say that a lot, but seriously, there’s so much good music coming across my desk that I don’t know what to do with myself. This is another shining gem for me, and as soon as I heard “9 Volt” I was sold. The track reminds me of early Tooth and Nail Records releases, when they were still pushing art and music together. This is a classic example of indie rock, but with a twist here and there. With “Fool” Sursum Verbo tap into something that makes indie rock so good. The record uses a steady stream of guitar, percussion, and strong vocals to create a resounding sound that echoes across your home. I turned it up loud, and tried to dance with my kitty. She was having none of it, granted she just got spayed and is mad at me, but still this is a solid recording. On the track “What You Can”, I was sold with the bass line intro. As a bass player myself, I always love strong bass lines coming up front, and ...

It’s hard to find a good balancing act between indie, pop, and rock all rolled into something that is not labeled as “emo”. As soon as you throw out the 3 letter word people seem to have a disdain or a passionate love affair with the music. Anie does something that transcends the label and while “Lovekill” is emotional, it’s not “emo” in the negative sense, as it is much stronger and much more powerful than you first realize. From the opening track “Lovekill” to “Fear Losing” you are greeted with an eclectic blend of alternative rock enthusiasm with independent rock fusion that is definitely going to stun you. Even the harshest critic will find amazing compositions in this EP, and I for one am glad to have discovered this record. I love the transition from track to track, as it’s like a jump through time into different elements. I love the way some songs play with words and others play with sounds and create a lavish layered sound. This is a great recording, and something that sh...

There are a lot of country acts that try to put together music and most of it is awful. It’s one of the most oversaturated music genres, but when a star shines, they transcend the label and play music that is highly accessible beyond just the country moniker. That’s exactly what Doug Briney does on this record, which starts off with one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard in a while. “Super Country Cowboy” is funny, moving, and full of life. I found myself singing along by the second minute, and I’m not the biggest fan of country. There’s something to this, and I can even see myself doing a little dance to it in the shower, it has that kind of swagger, and yes, I amuse myself with these ideas. Briney’s flow of lyrics is iconic here, and it’s the type of song that is never going to leave your head once you start humming and singing along. From the opener that just rocks hard, you get 8 more tracks (9 total) of country music and rock and roll gusto. Doug Briney puts together stories an...

From the moment you first hear the sound that comes through on this hip hop mix, you will be floored. There’s an organic element to this that is just exciting to hear. Once you turn it up, you will be floored by the execution and production values that are layered throughout this release. The cuts and pieces are sewn together in a very interesting manner, leaving nothing to the imagination. It’s the kind of mix that you would expect to hear on the radio, if they still played good music. From the moment you first turn on “Street Weight”, you get a feeling for an iconic, and impressive unifying hip hop mix. But it isn’t until you get to “Hey, Don’t Miss Out!” that you pick up on something that makes this classic. It’s a classic mix, and around the 1:00 minute mark you start to bounce a bit. I can already see myself using these tracks to skateboard through my streets with as they have a good mix to them and lays out emotional connections through the bass, keys, and organic material th...

For those that don’t follow my site, or last.fm account, I’ll let you know that I spend 12 – 20 hours of music daily. Last weekend, I pulled a 36 hour straight run of writing, and my only entertainment was a long playlist of music that spans every genre. Lately, the punk rock tunes that have been pushing forward are a bit too polished, kind of derivative and tired. I wanted to love some of the new stuff coming through, but it’s just not that grand. After another boredom movement, I tuned into the latest release from Figures of Light, and faith was restored in punk rock roots. Figures of Light’s release of “The Nebraska Sessions” plays heavy on that hard rock sound that the early pioneers of punk rock pushed out when they first came out on the scene. The dynamic here is not what you’re going to hear on the radio, it’s a type of punk that made The Damned, Buzzcocks, and even PIL work back in the 1970s and 1980s. If you can imagine that type of raucous music, then you can kind of unde...

Sulking Brood’s latest release “Blood Orange” is definitely one of the better independent release that I’ve heard recently. The duo puts together layered music in the vein of Tiny Victories, and does it well enough to easily match up with any duo that is producing music of this type. Not quite electric, not quite rock, not really pop, this mixed genre approach works on a lot of different levels and is exactly what many college radio stations are playing right now. You get hit with an immediate warmth with the track “Feeling New” then you start to roll through a variety of different tracks that bring together the concept of “Blood Orange” in a very eclectic way. Each track jumps from one end of the musical spectrum to the other and at the end of the 10 tracks, you are left with an iconic representation of independent spirit. There is no shortage of styles here, and each one is represented through the varying tracks, that will send you through a variety of spaces. Whether it’s the ...

I was able to take a listen to the latest tracks from SweetEve and they definitely have a bright future ahead of them. They are a band that fuses together pop sensibilities with rocking tunes, and killer bass lines. Mixing the same type of rock that makes the Foo Fighters and Goo Goo Dolls (circa Boy Named Goo) great bands, this rock band is trying to tread new routes towards stardom. From the first notes on “Guilty Victim” you get a feel for the music, but it’s not until you hit the guitar solo that you really get a sense of urgency from the band. They build up to it and when it hits, it really gets your toes tapping. Lyrical strong, and overall a catchy tune, SweetEve is quality rock and roll done right. It’s still a bit raw on the recording, but that’s ok, they are up and coming and the tracks represent a good beginning to what very well may be one of the bands of the future. The opening track is definitely a good one, but it’s their second track “Kings and Queens” that really...