Heather Nova, Killswitch Engage, & Cock Sparrer
Catch up on the week in new music and Dig Me Out podcast
Latest Podcast
Cock Sparrer - Two Monkeys | 90s Rock Revisited
It’s 1997. Pop punk is dominating the airwaves, with Green Day and The Offspring still riding the wave of the early ‘90s revival, while Rancid’s ...And Out Come the Wolves is turning every suburban skater kid into a studded-jacket-wearing punk. Meanwhile, Britpop is peaking, and nu-metal is lurking just around the corner. But across the Atlantic, in the…
New Releases
Gary Louris Writes a Love Letter in Dark Country, But Will You Fall for It?
Some albums feel like a postcard from an old friend—familiar but tinged with the weight of years. Gary Louris has always had a knack for writing songs like that, the kind that feel like they’ve been with you forever. Even if you weren’t following The Jayhawks closely, their influence has seeped into the DNA of modern Americana, shaping the sound of countless artists in their wake. With
Is This Manic Street Preachers' Best Album in Years—or Just Okay?
Do you remember the first time you heard "A Design for Life"? That soaring anthem that captured both the disillusionment and hope of a generation? Manic Street Preachers have been the soundtrack to many such moments, evolving from their early glam-punk provocations to a more reflective, arena-rock grandeur. Now, with their fifteenth studio album,
Patterson Hood – Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams
If you’ve ever cranked up a Drive-By Truckers album on a road trip, you know Patterson Hood’s gift for storytelling. His solo work has always felt more personal, more introspective, and Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams sounds like it’s cut from that same cloth. Hood’s knack for wrapping Southern Gothic narratives around sharp songwriting is on full display. And for the vinyl nerds out there—this one’s dropping on a beautiful colored pressing
Killswitch Engage – This Consequence
For anyone who grew up with the golden age of metalcore, Killswitch Engage is a household name. Whether you were belting out The End of Heartache in your car or debating the Jesse Leach vs. Howard Jones era, they’ve been a staple of the genre. This Consequence is their first new album in over five years, which makes it a pretty big deal for longtime fans. Expect a mix of soaring choruses, punishing breakdowns, and that classic Killswitch blend of melody and aggression. Plus, the limited edition colored vinyl makes it even sweeter for collectors.
Edwin McCain – Lucky
Edwin McCain is the guy who made every late-'90s high school dance extra emotional with “I’ll Be.” You probably slow-danced to it whether you wanted to or not. His latest album, Lucky, brings more of his signature heartfelt storytelling, and if his past records are any indication, this one’s bound to have at least one song that makes you feel way more nostalgic than you expected.
Heather Nova – Breath and Air
If you were into the ‘90s alternative scene, Heather Nova was one of those artists who always felt like a secret discovery—her mix of dreamy vocals and poetic songwriting made albums like Oyster essential listening. Breath and Air finds her still crafting those same introspective, beautifully melancholic songs, proving that some voices just never lose their magic.
The 5.6.7.8's – "Dororo / Granada Fuzz" & "Mahjong A Go-Go / Ah, So" (Singles)
Even if you don’t immediately recognize their name, you’ve definitely heard The 5.6.7.8’s if you’ve seen Kill Bill Vol. 1. Their retro garage rock sound, blending surf rock, punk, and rockabilly energy, made them an instant standout. These new singles, “Dororo / Granada Fuzz” and “Mahjong A Go-Go / Ah, So,” deliver that same fuzzed-out, high-energy fun that made them cult favorites.
Melvins/Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March
This one’s a wild ride. Take the sludgy weirdness of the Melvins, throw in the sheer brutality of Napalm Death, and you get Savage Imperial Death March. If you’re into the heavier, experimental side of rock and metal, this is the kind of record that’s going to grab you by the collar and drag you through a whirlwind of distorted chaos. It’s exactly as intense as you’d expect from these two legends.
Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra – The Escapologist
If you remember Saigon Kick, then you know Jason Bieler was never afraid to get weird with rock music. The Escapologist continues that tradition, blending prog, glam, and straight-up killer songwriting into something that feels like a throwback and a fresh take all at once. It’s got big hooks, quirky twists, and enough variety to keep you on your toes.
Idlewild Wins! 90s Rock Battle Royale Ends in Upset
Another Dig Me Out album tournament wrapped, and this one came down to the wire. The DMO Union picked their favorite deep-cut 90s album—leading to a runoff vote between two standout records.
🏆 Stone Temple Pilots – No. 4 (19.6%)
🏆 Idlewild – Hope Is Important (19.6%)
🔥 Butthole Surfers – Independent Worm Saloon (17.4%)
🤔 Nickelback – Curb (15.2%)
Other albums, including Senser, Die Monster Die, and Bodyjar, pulled in smaller shares but couldn’t crack the top tier.
Runoff: STP vs. Idlewild
A 48-hour showdown decided the winner:
🏆 Idlewild – Hope Is Important (59%)
Stone Temple Pilots – No. 4 (41%)
STP’s underappreciated album put up a fight, but Idlewild’s raw, punk-fueled debut delivered the knockout punch. The comments section was full of debate—Nickelback defenders, love for Butthole Surfers, and even some unexpected Senser nostalgia.
Did the right album win? Suggest an album for us to rescue.
Metal of 1985 Mixtape
The year was 1985. The neon glow of arcade screens and denim jackets. MTV was our lifeline, and our Walkman headphones blasted the sounds of an era caught between the wild excess of glam metal and the razor-sharp rise of thrash. It was a transitional year—some bands were finding their groove, others were losing their way, and a new wave of underground h…
I like what I've heard so far of the Killswitch.