The Lemonheads, Damien Jurado, and Stephen Brodsky Strip Down
90s alt-rock nostalgia, Seattle folk experimentation, and Cave In’s frontman goes voice-and-guitar minimalist
Latest Podcasts
Gothic Country’s Unholy Grail: Discovering 16 Horsepower’s Sackcloth ’n’ Ashes
Ever hear a record that sounds like it was recorded in a barn during the apocalypse? That’s Sackcloth ‘n’ Ashes, the 1996 debut from 16 Horsepower—a Denver band that A&M Records signed and then probably prayed over, wondering what the hell they’d just unleashed. This isn’t alt-country. This isn’t Americana. This is what happens when a Nazarene preacher’…
What Makes Testament’s Second Album a Thrash Masterclass?
This month’s 80s Metal poll came down to four killer picks from the Metal Union: Anthrax’s Among the Living (suggested by Keith Miller), Blackfoot’s Marauder (Marmaduke’s pick), Motörhead’s Ace of Spades (Gavin Reed’s choice), and Testament’s The New Order
New Releases
Guided by Voices - Thick, Rich And Delicious
Guided by Voices, the prolific indie rock band from Dayton, Ohio known for their lo-fi sound and Robert Pollard’s relentless songwriting, return with “Thick, Rich And Delicious.” This release stands out as the first time the band has recorded entirely in a single studio session, capturing a raw, cohesive energy that fans haven’t heard before. What works: Listeners and critics praise the album’s punchy hooks and the seamless flow between tracks, highlighting the band’s renewed focus. What doesn’t work: Some longtime fans feel the polished production loses a bit of the scrappy charm that defined their earlier work.
The Charlatans UK - We Are Love
The Charlatans UK, the enduring British alt-rock band known for their 1990s Madchester sound and hits like “The Only One I Know,” return with “We Are Love.” This new release marks their first album recorded entirely in their own studio, allowing for a more experimental and intimate approach to songwriting. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s lush production and the band’s ability to evolve while retaining their signature groove. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the experimental touches occasionally overshadow the band’s classic melodic hooks.
μ-Ziq - 1979
μ-Ziq, the pioneering UK electronic artist known for his influential work in IDM and as the head of Planet Mu, returns with “1979,” a reflective album that draws inspiration from the year of his birth, blending nostalgic synth textures with modern production. The most novel aspect of this release is its seamless fusion of vintage analog warmth and contemporary rhythmic complexity, offering a personal yet forward-thinking sonic journey. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s emotive melodies and inventive sound design. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the retro influences occasionally overshadow the album’s more experimental ambitions.
Stephen Brodsky - Cut To The Core Vol. 1
Stephen Brodsky, known as the versatile frontman of Cave In and a frequent collaborator in projects like Mutoid Man and Old Man Gloom, returns with his solo effort “Cut To The Core Vol. 1.” This release stands out for its stripped-down, intimate approach, showcasing Brodsky’s songwriting in its rawest form—just voice and guitar, recorded live to tape without overdubs. What works: Fans and music writers praise the vulnerability and immediacy of the performances, noting how the minimalism highlights Brodsky’s melodic instincts and lyrical depth. What doesn’t work: some feel the sparse arrangements occasionally leave the songs feeling unfinished or longing for the dynamic range of his full-band work.
Thee Headcoatees - The Man-Trap Sessions EP Vol. One & Two
Thee Headcoatees, the all-female garage rock group spun off from Billy Childish’s Thee Headcoats and known for their raw, energetic 90s sound, return with The Man-Trap Sessions EP Vol. One & Two, their first new studio recordings in over two decades. This release is the reunion of the original lineup, capturing their signature blend of punk attitude and vintage girl-group harmonies with a fresh, urgent edge. What works: fans and critics praise the EP’s authentic, unpolished production and the infectious chemistry between the band members. What doesn’t work: some listeners feel the new material treads too closely to their classic formula, offering few surprises for longtime followers.
Various Artists - Killed By Deaf: A Punk Tribute To Motörhead
Various Artists - Killed By Deaf: A Punk Tribute To Motörhead brings together a lineup of underground punk bands, for their raw, unfiltered reinterpretation of Motörhead’s catalog, with each band infusing their own regional punk flavor while maintaining the spirit of Lemmy’s originals. What works: Fans and music writers praise the album’s relentless energy and the creative risks taken with song arrangements. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the lo-fi production occasionally buries the vocals, making it hard to distinguish between tracks.
Damien Jurado - Private Hospital
Damien Jurado, the prolific Seattle singer-songwriter known for his introspective storytelling and atmospheric folk, returns with “Private Hospital.” This new release marks his first collaboration with producer Josh Gordon, introducing subtle electronic textures to Jurado’s signature sound. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s haunting melodies and the fresh sonic palette that deepens Jurado’s lyrical themes. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the electronic elements occasionally overshadow the raw intimacy that defined his earlier work.
The Lemonheads - Love Chant
The Lemonheads, best known for their 90s alt-rock hits and Evan Dando’s bittersweet songwriting, return with “Love Chant,” their first collection of original material in over a decade. The album stands out for its unexpected blend of jangly guitars and lush harmonies, marking a fresh yet nostalgic direction for the band. What works: Fans and critics praise the melodic hooks and Dando’s renewed lyrical vulnerability. What doesn’t work: Some feel the production is overly polished, losing a bit of the raw edge that defined their earlier work.
Soulfly - Chama
Soulfly, the heavy groove metal band led by former Sepultura frontman Max Cavalera, returns with “Chama,” continuing their legacy of blending tribal rhythms with crushing riffs. The most novel aspect of this release is the band’s collaboration with indigenous Brazilian musicians, infusing authentic Amazonian percussion and chants into their signature sound. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s raw energy and the seamless integration of traditional elements, calling it one of Soulfly’s most adventurous records. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the experimental moments occasionally overshadow the band’s classic heaviness.
Big Wreck - The Rest Of The Story
Big Wreck, the Canadian rock band known for their blend of hard rock and progressive influences since the late ‘90s, returns with “The Rest Of The Story.” This release marks the band’s first full-length album since the departure of founding guitarist Brian Doherty, showcasing a refreshed lineup and a more experimental approach to their signature sound. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s adventurous songwriting and Ian Thornley’s powerful vocals. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the absence of Doherty’s guitar work leaves certain tracks lacking the band’s classic edge.
Jim White - Inner Day
Jim White, known for his genre-blurring Americana and introspective storytelling, returns with “Inner Day,” his first album in five years and a project shaped by his recent explorations into ambient soundscapes. White’s integration of field recordings and experimental textures, marks a bold departure from his earlier, more traditional songwriting. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s atmospheric depth and White’s continued lyrical inventiveness. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the experimental approach occasionally overshadows the emotional immediacy of his past work.
Serj Tankian - Covers, Collaborations & Collages
Serj Tankian, best known as the dynamic frontman of System of a Down, returns with “Covers, Collaborations & Collages,” a collection that showcases his eclectic range by reimagining classics and teaming up with a diverse roster of artists. This release showcases Tankian’s inventive approach to genre-blending, fusing his signature vocal intensity with unexpected musical partners and reinterpretations that span from rock to world music. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s adventurous spirit and Tankian’s ability to breathe new life into familiar songs. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the album’s wide stylistic swings can make it feel uneven, with a few collaborations lacking the cohesion of his strongest solo work.
Ronnie Romero - Backbone
Ronnie Romero, known as the powerhouse vocalist behind bands like Rainbow and Lords of Black, returns with a solo release that sees him blending classic hard rock influences with a modern edge. Romero’s decided to write and co-produce the majority of the tracks himself, showcasing a more personal and introspective side than fans have heard before. What works: Romero’s commanding vocals and heartfelt songwriting resonate strongly, with many praising the album’s emotional depth and dynamic range. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the production occasionally leans too heavily on familiar classic rock tropes, making a few tracks feel less distinctive.
The Tear Garden - Astral Elevator
The Tear Garden, the collaborative project between cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy and Edward Ka-Spel of The Legendary Pink Dots, is known for their psychedelic, experimental soundscapes that blend industrial and dream pop elements. Their latest release marks the first time in over a decade that the duo has recorded entirely new material together, featuring guest appearances from longtime collaborators and a renewed focus on lush, immersive production. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s atmospheric depth and the seamless interplay between Key’s electronics and Ka-Spel’s surreal lyricism. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the album’s sprawling tracks occasionally lose focus, making it less accessible for newcomers.
Cowboy Junkies - More Acoustic Junk
Cowboy Junkies, the Canadian alt-country legends best known for their hauntingly sparse sound and the classic album “The Trinity Session,” return with “More Acoustic Junk,” a collection of stripped-down reinterpretations and unreleased acoustic tracks that showcase the band’s enduring intimacy and raw musicianship. The inclusion of never-before-heard demos and live takes, offers fans a rare glimpse into the band’s creative process and evolution. What works: Fans and critics praise the warm, unvarnished production and Margo Timmins’ evocative vocals, which breathe new life into familiar songs. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the album’s subdued approach lacks the dynamic range of their studio recordings, making it less accessible to newcomers.
