By Gabe Vigh RIYL: Ros Sereysothea, Pan Ron & other Khmer Rock artists, Deerhoof, Yoko Ono It’s difficult to explain why female singers from South Asia are so consistently alluring. Is it the exotic phrasing? The pixie-like pitch? Something more primeval? These sorts of questions would probably be better answered by Ethan and Zac...
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By Gabe Vigh RIYL: Air-The Virgin Suicides soundtrack, Portishead, Ennio Morricone It may seem like a stretch, but Danger Mouse has likened his rapidly expanding career as “It” producer and eccentric collaborator to that of a film director. In a 2006 issue of New York Times magazine, he stated “I want to create a...
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By Gabe Vigh RIYL: The Chemical Brothers, Justice, Prodigy, Moby, Nine Inch Nails Without question, Daft Punk received a gift from the Gods of Relevancy when they were chosen to do the soundtrack for 2010s Tron: Legacy sequel. Staying fresh and new in today’s fast paced music industry is a difficult feat for most...
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By Gabe Vigh RIYL: Wolfmother, The Deadly Syndrome, The Kooks, The Honeydrips Although they are often tagged with the moniker “psychedelic rock”, Birds of Avalon can play convincingly straight when they need to. The group formed back in 2005 after core members Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler left their former outfit Cherry Valence, got...
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By John West …If you could imagine Everlast and Sublime with a little Flobots thrown in the mix you would have Domer. From the opening track “You’re on to Me” Domer showcases their lyrical prowess. “Drawing the lines between questions and statements. Failing to find a prayer to say Grace with.” Well crafted songs...
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By Ilya Setrakian If you’re a fan of the Local Natives, The Black Keys, or Modest Mouse, then Mostly Bears’ new album; The Ed Mitchell Clinic will stick well with you. Mostly Bears puts themselves out there with heavy drum lines, dissonant keys, thin sounding guitar lines, and abstract vocals. “Airports” has a very...
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By John West Earth to Earth is Arctic Sleep’s follow up to 2009′s Abysmal Lullabies. Instead of Keith D performing a one man show, co founder of this Chicago based band, Mike Gussis is back on guitars. Nick Smalkowski is behind the drums. Keith D’s vocals are as dark and rich in a Leonard...
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By Gabe Vigh RIYL: The Mars Volta, The Black Keys, Jack White, early Radiohead Like amino acids congealing from primordial soup, put a lifeguard, a librarian and a beekeeper’s assistant together in a room with musical instruments and there’s no telling what you’ll get. In the case of Mostly Bears, you get a maelstrom...
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By Gabe Vigh RIYL: Roseline, Justin Roth, The Skygreen Leopards, SweetLou Its understandable if you thought Robin Thicke had cornered the market in white soul music, even if the actual existence of a market in white soul singers is questionable. Turns out, Wikipedia boasts a surprisingly long list of “Blue-eyed soul singers”, preceded by...
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By Gabe Vigh RIYL: Calla, Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots Like fellow NYC mood-rock act Calla, the members of Man on Earth go for both your jugular and your heart, often in the same song. After starting as a solo project for front man Steven Nathan the lineup quickly expanded to include, guitarist Steve...
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