subscribe to RSS Subscribe to RSS

Posts Tagged ‘Magic Bullet’


08.01.2010

Best Of 2009: Volume Four

posted by Will

in Year End Lists
7 Comments

Here’s my final Top Ten of 2009. Click on the album cover for any more coverage.

#1 Tigers Jaw “Spirit Desire” 7″ (Tiny Engines)

The second release from Tiny Engines, a label I co-run with two other guys. Shameless self-promotion? Sure, but I can honestly say I listened to this release more than any other in 2009. Indie rock and pop punk mixed ever so perfectly!

#2 Brian Bond “Fire & Gold” (Self-Released)

It takes an awful lot for me to get excited about a singer/songwriter but Brian Bond did just that. The fact that he resides in relative obscurity is a shame. And he’s got another album in the can for 2010 that is just as good as Fire & Gold.

#3 Golden City “Self-Titled” (Magic Bullet)

Eric Richter of Christie Front Drive returns with a brilliant set of songs. Imagine CFD crossed with JEW.

#4 Everyone Everywhere “A Lot Of Weird People Standing Around” 7″ (Evil Weevil)

The second coming of The Promise Ring…at least at times it sure sounds like it. The new songs these guys have recorded sound incredible.

#5 Superchunk “Leaves In The Gutter” EP & “Crossed Wires” 7″ (Merge)

Other than Sunny Day Real Estate, there was no greater welcome back party for me than to have Superchunk return with a new set of songs. On their first two releases in years the band puts forth some of their most energetic material since their early days.

#6 Annabel “Each And Everyone” (Count Your Lucky Stars)

Following up on their brilliant EP in 2008 Annabel nail their first full-length. Understated indie rock with just the right amount of pop and power.

#7 Touch Committee “Winter Beard” (Self-Released)

I love when bands come from completely out of nowhere to floor me. Touch Committee did just that with Winter Beard.

#8 Oceans “Nothing Collapses” (Copper Lung)

Sadly, Oceans called it quits shortly after this release. Nothing Collapses is one of the best post rock records I have heard in years. So, can we put the nail in the post rock coffin now?

#9 My Heart To Joy “Seasons In Verse”(Topshelf)

Intelligent and pushing themselves beyond any genre constriction, My Heart To Joy are like a raging hardcore version of Trail of Dead.

#10 Broadway Calls “Good Views, Bad News” (Side One Dummy)

Broadway Calls are the best current pop/punk band period. Bar none.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
10.12.2009

Disappearer: The Clearing

posted by Will

in Music Reviews
1 Comment

disappearer

I swear this sounds like what Small Brown Bike would sound like if they just metaled up a bit more. Originally formed way back in 2003, Disappearer sprang from the demise of the band There Were Wires. I believe I owned some TWW albums back in the day but can not for the life of me really remember much about the band. Disappearer sparingly released a demo and an EP in the following five years and finally the band’s first proper full-length shows up in 2009. The Clearing is a behemoth of a record that follows in the footsteps of bands like Isis and Pelican to a certain extent. But like I said earlier with the Small Brown Bike comparison, Disappearer are much more capable at reaching a different audience than your typical metal/post-rock monsters. The Clearing really is a rare and very well done mix of sounds that post-hardcore diehards should scoop up. The slow paced thoughtful six minute title track closes the album out and ties a nice little bow on a band and an album that deserve more attention than they seem to be getting.

Label: Magic Bullet

Disappearer “A Skull Full Of Bats”

www.myspace.com/disappearerus

Tags: , , , , , ,
05.10.2009

Austin Lucas: The Common Cold (Reissue)

posted by Ian

in Music Reviews
No Comments

austinlucascold“My ears were ringing from some fifty basement shows.” The sentiment in this line from the title track of this release is perfect. Austin Lucas’ brand of traditional folk and country filtered through the punk aesthetic may not leave your ears ringing, but you will feel like your at a basement show in Jersey as you listen to The Common Cold, a release from Magic Bullet that documents the early days of one of the best songwriters around. Although the album doesn’t sport the perfection of Somebody Loves You, the talent and skill is immediately evident. Steeped in intimacy and lacking some of the polish that would come later, The Common Cold is another stellar release from Lucas and one that helps us see where this powerful performer has come from.

“Anything for the Baby” is the track that grabs here. A perfect, slow, front porch burner that inspires emotion I had thought music was beginning to forget. Maybe it’s Lucas’ voice; so clear and powerful. It’s definitely the adept guitar playing, which any accomplished picker can appreciate. It’s also in the words and delivery, which are crafted with a care and thoughtfulness that many writers confuse with simplicity these days.

There are two missteps here; “Corn Husker” and “Cruel Brothers” just feel out of place. The first tries to drive a sullen, southern groove and never really finds it. The second is an a capella tune, which few can ever pull off. While Lucas’ attempt is listenable (mostly due to the story told), I just have a hard time with unaccompanied voices. Lucas smartly stayed away from both these mistakes on Somebody Loves You, showcasing a growth and maturity as he moves from release to release. If you have enjoyed Austin Lucas’ output to this point, this collection from his early days will serve only to enhance his already noteworthy body of work.

Label: Magic Bullet

Austin Lucas “Dead Factories”

Tags: , ,
07.07.2009

Vinyl Corner: Golden City

posted by Will

in Best New Music, Music Reviews, Vinyl Corner
1 Comment

[Best New Music]

Self-Titled 10″ / Cavalry + Brighten 7″


Short Review: Golden City is led by Eric Richter, formerly of Christie Front Drive. Golden City sounds like Static Prevails-era Jimmy Eat World which was basically trying to sound like Christie Front Drive. If you like Christie Front Drive or Jimmy Eat World you will love Golden City.

Long Review: There are certain vocalists/songwriters that you find yourself following throughout their lengthy musical careers. Eric Richter is one of those musicians that I have always kept up with. Through his different band/projects and my own personal music taste deviations I have always tagged along for the ride. Richter of course fronted the seminal emo band Christie Front Drive which should be noted as a defining influence of Jimmy Eat World and countless others. After CFD, Richter moved on to the eclectic Antarctica before disappearing for a few years. Richter unearthed back into guitar rock realms with The 101. Richter’s vocals were refreshing to hear and the band was enjoyable but there was something missing. Whatever that was, Richter has found it with Golden City. The band takes the straight-ahead pop chops of The 101 and marries it to the emotional backbone of Christie Front Drive for a truly infectious sound. The songs are huge without ever feeling like that’s what their intent was. And that mirrors the band’s humble beginnings. Originally conceived as a casual affair of writing and recording music with friends, Golden City’s songs were just too good to ignore. The world just had to hear these pop nuggets. I just hope Richter stays in one place for a bit longer than usual. I hear Golden City is a nice place to take up residence.

Label: Magic Bullet 10″/ Sound Fiction 7″

Cars In Space
Golden%20City_S-T_03_Cars%20in%20Space.mp3

Stars
Golden%20City_S-T_07_Stars.mp3

www.myspace.com/therealgoldencity

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
17.02.2009

Aughra: Proof of Dark Matter | Light the Lights

posted by Will

in Music Reviews
No Comments

Aughra is the solo noise/drone project of Magic Bullet Records owner and Forensics member Brent Eyestone. Proof of Dark Matter | Light the Lights is Aughra’s first proper full length and it is in expansive exploration of sound in all its many forms. What stands out about this album is the sheer diversity of Eyestone’s reach. Aughra are equal parts creepy and inviting. The album boldly transforms itself back and forth from icy, cold movements into rich, warm textures. Yet always at the center of its being is an unmistakable melodic core that molds every note, idea and found sound loosely in place. For fans of ambient music, Aughra’s Proof of Dark Matter | Light the Lights is a worthy and heady listen.

Genre: Drone/Noise/Instrumental

RIYL: Mogwai, Wolf Eyes, Fennesz

Label: Magic Bullet Records

Et In Arcadia Ego

01%20Et%20In%20Arcadia%20Ego.mp3

www.myspace.com/aughra

Tags: , , , , , ,
22.01.2009

Romance Of Young Tigers: I Have Supped Full On Horrors

posted by Will

in Best New Music, Music Reviews
No Comments

[Best New Music]

Romance Of Young Tigers are a young band from Dayton, Ohio who have masterfully crafted some of the most captivating instrumental music I have heard in a long time. Combining the haunting atmospheres of Godspeed You! Black Emperor with an almost ambient feel at times, I Have Supped Full On Horrors is four songs and nearly 35 minutes of instrumental bliss. With no percussion (yes, no percussion), ROYT create waves of instrumental “noise” to create an aural masterpiece. Each player seems to bleed into each other but every note and every movement is impeccably placed and perfectly nuanced together to create breathtaking atmospheres. I was startled to find out that I Have Supped Full On Horrors was written and recorded over three years ago and was the band’s first release. To create such engrossing compositions at such a young age for a band is truly remarkable. Now it’s time to see what their next steps take them.

Genre: Instrumental/Post Rock

RIYL: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, Growing

Label: Magic Bullet

Long Withdrawing Roar

01%20Long%20Withdrawing%20Roar.mp3

www.myspace.com/romanceofyoungtigers

Tags: , , , , , ,
20.01.2009

Quick Hit: The Wayward

posted by Will

in Quick Hits
4 Comments

The Wayward’s Overexposure is a screamy clusterfuck of prog and math rock the likes of which I just have not been able to wrap my head around. These guys can certainly play their instruments but there is an air of psychedelic sloppiness the band wears on their sleeves with pride. Not really my bag but I can imagine people geeking on this band for sure. Overexposure was released on Magic Bullet Records.

www.myspace.com/theewayward

Tags: , ,
25.11.2008

Eksi Ekso: I Am Your Bastard Wings

posted by Will

in Music Reviews
No Comments

Upon initial observation, Eksi Ekso’s I Am Your Bastard Wings might seem like a peculiar release for Magic Bullet, a label more known for it’s instrumental behemoths and punk/hardcore bands. Upon closer inspection though, Eksi Ekso is actually made up of some former members of previous Magic Bullet alumni, The Burning Paris and On Fire. Eksi Ekso are an extremely mature rock band and some might even categorize the band into modern rock categories. But, that would be a gross understatement. Eksi Ekso are far too intelligent and ambitious to be confined that easily. From an instrumental standpoint, Eksi Ekso are certainly grandiose enough to match just about any post rock band. With a full string section for much of the record Eksi Ekso excels in creating illuminating soundscapes. Quite similar to a band like September Malevolence, Eksi Ekso have the might of a post-rock band with the subtle addition of vocals. The band’s musicianship and arrangements are stunning to say the least. I Am Your Bastard Wings is 50+ minutes of rising and falling, of pain and pleasure, of simplicity and elegance. While the album certainly illicits certain moods, Eksi Ekso’s I Am Your Bastard Wings is most certainly not just a mood piece that is meant to be left to the background. Turn the volume up on those headphones and realize the depths of what Eksi Ekso are creating here.

Genre: Indie/Post-Rock

RIYL: Sigur Ros, September Malevolence, Mogwai

Label: Magic Bullet

Killing Texas

03%20Killing%20Texas.mp3

www.myspace.com/eksiekso

Tags: , , , , , , ,

  • Search

© sound as language 2009 | Created by: Get a Custom Design.
Powered by: Wordpress