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New Album Review

ALBUM REVIEW: CLIFFFS – Panic Attack

ALBUM REVIEW: CLIFFFS – Panic Attack

BEST TRACKS: You Are Freaking Out, Panic Attack, Tilt

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CLIFFFS is a lively three-piece band from Dallas, Texas that brings an unparalleled sense of purity to the scene, taking garage punk back to its roots. I love three-piece bands for their simplicity. A guitar, a bass, and drums are all anyone really needs to make an astounding punk album. Four years ago, CLIFFFS released Bill, You’re Only Human, an album about which there is very little to complain about, to say the least, except that it lacked the element of passion and fury I seek in a punk album. What CLIFFFS’ debut album lacked, their sophomore album, Panic Attack, has in abundance. Panic attack shows the immense growth of the band over 4 years and leaves me eagerly awaiting to see what CLIFFFS has in store next.

Panic Attack exhibits fast, slightly surf rock-esque guitar riffs and solid, grounding baselines. The fourth track, ‘You Are Freaking Out’ is my favorite, sounding dark and urgent. The rises and falls of intensity in this song are masterful, starting out with a nervous, anticipatory riff that then gets propelled into a cathartic climax by thrashing drums and elevated vocals. Other tracks, such as ‘Tilt’ and ‘Life’ are less dark, having brighter melodies, and are truer to the legacies of the OG garage punk gods like Descendants and All. Punk albums have a bad habit of sounding messy and unpolished. Panic Attack is a punk album that is very cleanly put together and puts a focus on melody, making the music sound passionate, powerful, and beautiful- not just loud and noisy.

A common theme throughout this album is anxiety, as the album title might suggest. True to this theme, Panic Attack fills me up with nervous energy (in only the best way). This short, 13 track, 24 minute album makes me want to get out of the house and shred some asphalt- the sign of a truly excellent punk album.

I recommend CLIFFFS if you like bands like Descendants, All, the Frights, and the Orwells.

-Safia

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin is one of those bands that everybody knows. They opened the door for many bands after them. Even though their music was released in the 1970s, their music sounds as if it was released in this day and age. There is something about Led Zeppelin’s music that moves me. It relates to me in a way that other bands do not. The rawness of their music and the talent that all the members had created an amazing band. My mom used to listen to Led Zeppelin all the time and played them when I was little. At a young age I was introduced to this band and 21 years later, I still listen to them on a daily basis. I would also argue that the style in which Led Zeppelin played influenced metal and opened the door for metal bands. I think this because when listening to Led Zeppelin, it’s dark. The music, the lyrics, and the overall vibe is dark, and this is where I believe it correlates to metal. Led Zeppelin’s music may not be as fast, heavy, and technical as today’s bands, but they all have that overall theme of darkness.

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of Robert Plant (vocalist), Jimmy Page (guitarist), John Paul Jones (bassist), and John Bonham (drums). With their heavy guitar driven sound, they are regularly cited as one of the pioneers of heavy metal, although their influences included a variety of blues and folk music. When looking at the members of Led Zeppelin, they had a super-group. By a super-group I mean that each member is the best at their instrument. You had four extremely talented musicians that formed a band and this was a force to be reckoned with. With so much talent also comes hardships and struggles. There are positive and negative factors when having such a talented band like Led Zeppelin.

After changing their name from New Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin signed a deal with Atlantic Records, although they were unpopular with critics, they achieved commercial success with eight studio albums. Page wrote most of Led Zeppelin’s music while Plant supplied the lyrics. The latter half of Led Zeppelin’s career saw a series of record-breaking tours and had fans all around the world.

Things were coming to an end during the late 1970s and the group disbanded following the death of their drummer John Bonham. There have been many successful reunion shows with Bonham’s son (Jason) on drums.

Led Zeppelin is known to be one of the most successful bands due to their sales success, fame, and talent. They influenced many hard rock and metal bands such as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Queen, Aerosmith, Megadeth, Tool, Dream Theater, the Ramones, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Sound Garden, and Pearl Jam.

When watching Breaking the Band on Reelz tv channel, they did a segment on Led Zeppelin which lead me to write a post about them. A fun fact that I learned was that Jimmy Page was interested in the occult and black magic. The symbols on their album release in 1971 have been argued to be black magic symbols. Some of the symbols are used to describe Egyptian Gods and Goddesses. Jimmy Page said that he believed Led Zeppelin’s success of their release, Led Zeppelin IV (1971) and the hit song off that album, Stairway to Heaven, was because of the use of these symbols and the magic behind them.

Discography:

Led Zeppelin (1969)

Led Zeppelin II (1969)

Led Zeppelin III (1970)

Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

House of the Holy (1973)

Physical Graffiti (1975)

Presence (1976)

In Through the Out Door (1979)

Coda (1982)


Favorite Songs:

Kashmir

Stairway to Heaven

Black Dog

Ramble On

Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

When the Levee Breaks

What are some of your favorite Led Zeppelin songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
New Album Review

ALBUM REVIEW: Distant Minds by Prismo

ALBUM: Distant Minds by Prismo

BEST TRACKS: Coexist, Shame, Dreams (Eliminate Remix)

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Zach Burgett, aka Prismo, is a music producer, DJ and songwriter from Houston, TX who decided to produce his own music after he was unsuccessful in creating his own band. After reading a short biography about Prismo, I have to say I admire his tenacity to create his own career after being unable to find a group to produce with. At 19, he has already made a name for himself and earned the reputation as a versatile artist with tracks ranging from EDM bangers to more melodic, slower songs.

Distant Minds is Prismo’s second album release from November 2016 and contains seven tracks, four of which are remixes of the first three tracks in the collection. Prismo’s style is very unique because he delivers a big, glitchy sound with added hip-hop elements which adds variety. The distorted vocal effect that Prismo uses also adds a unique element to Distant Minds. It sounds like the quality of a phone call almost, but also much higher quality so the vocals still sound crisp. Tracks such as Coexist and Dreams (Eliminate Remix) have a good mix between higher energy EDM and melodic breakdowns which contrast nicely. My personal favorite track in this album is Shame because it is one of the first electronic songs I listened to that I really enjoyed. What is even crazier to think is that Prismo released this track at a young age, only three years older than me at the time I listened. Now, at the same age, I still appreciate his music.

I recommend Prismo for anyone who is a fan of San Holo, Monstercat, and Taska Black.

-Tegan

Categories
Music News and Interviews

Music Fuels Movements

Music has always intersected with historical events and movements. In many cases music has fueled movements forward and allowed more individuals to understand the scope of the issues being protested. 

In the late 60’s and early 70’s, musicians and bands focused on mobilizing a cause to end the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War lasted over sixteen years, and countless American and Vietnamese lives were lost. Pete Seeger, an American folk singer, wrote a song against the Vietnam War, singing “Bring ‘em Home.” This song was widely used as a tool of the peace movement and it represented widely held views against the war. He also wrote “Turn, Turn, Turn” which discretely advocated for peace. Both of these songs written by Seeger around the time of the Vietnam War served to embolden an increasing public dissatisfaction with the war and its many costs. 

USA For Africa was created in 1985 by Harry Belafonte, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, and Lionel Richie; as an American response to Band Aid’s song “Do They Know It’s Christmas.” The group performed pop-style songs on their We Are The World album. Their song,“We Are the World,” won a Grammy for song of the year and helped raise more than seven million for famine relief. Many groups and singers like USA For Africa, Band Aid, and others helped raise awareness and funds through charity songs. The African famine was a major social issue during this time period, and groups like this helped to raise money to provide medical aid, clothing, and food for countries in need. 

The events of the September 11th terrorist attacks in late 2001 sparked a musical movement which highlighted patriotism and strength during a difficult time in our country’s history. Bruce Springsteen, a rock artist, performed “My City of Ruins,” breaking the silence after a period of fear and anxiety over safety and our nation’s future. Multiple musicians during this time period contributed to the healing of our country after the attacks and raised awareness about what happened on 9/11. 

A lot of music today is reflective of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the issues that have caused it. We can reflect on Kendrick Lamar’s album, DAMN., which became the first non-jazz and non-classical album to win a Pulitzer Prize for Music. This album contains so many themes relevant to why this protest is important today. Artists like Lauryn Hill, Beyonce, and Kanye West have also all created music relating to police brutality and oppression against black people in America. 

I will be releasing another blog post diving deeper into some of these modern movement songs, but for now most major music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have created playlists by black artists relating to the social issues that have prompted protests in all 50 states.The Rolling Stone also published a list of songs relating to the movement. Definitely check these out! 

– Miranda

Categories
Classic Album Review

Album of the Week: Deathless (2015) – Miss May I

Ahhh yes, one of my all-time favorite records by Miss May I. This band is the band that got me into heavier music when I first started listening to metal. My brothers and cousin used to play Miss May I all the time, and I thought that this band would be the perfect opening to get into heavier music, and I was right.

I remember when this album was released. I was leaving the beach with my dad and on our way back home, we played this album over and over again. To this day, I still go back and listen to this album. In my opinion, it is one of Miss May I’s most dynamic records. It is very technical in its overall sound. While listening to each song on this album, you can hear the different riffs being layered onto one another along with the drums. Deathless showcases that Miss May I is a force in the metal world to be reckoned with.

With this record, Miss May I went back to their traditional, old school sound that’s reminiscent of their 2010 single, “Relentless Chaos.” It appeared that on this album, the band returned to the roots and evolved their songwriting skills. Deathless is the most dynamic record the band has ever released, and the title track reflects the nature of the complexity put into the album. From thrash riffs to symptomatic “woahs,” Levi Benton (vocalist) and Ryan Neff (bassist and clean vocalist) play off one another to bring the best of both worlds.

There is no argument that Miss May I are talented musicians, however, the musicianship displayed on Deathless breaks new ground for Miss May I’s skill set. I would argue that Deathless is the best record Miss May I has released to date and will reach listeners far beyond the metalcore genre.

Favorite Songs:

Deathless

I.H.E.

Bastards Left Behind

Turn Back The Time

The Artificial

What is your favorite Miss May I record? What is your favorite song off of Deathless?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Non-Music News

A Greater Understanding: Educational Resources Relating to #BlackLivesMatter

With the recent attention toward the Black Lives Matter movement, I wanted to take the time to share on this platform educational resources to help those of us who aren’t black gain an understanding about the protests and their roots. There are many different ways to gain knowledge about these important topics and I have compiled a list of some of them below. 

Movies and TV Shows: 

  • 13th 

This documentary on Netflix provides insight about the problem of mass incarceration and looks at it from different lenses. It explains the criminalization of black Americans and the disproportional treatment of individuals in the prison system. 

  • When They See Us 

This true-crime style Netflix show relating to the 1989 Central Park attack and the five boys of color who were wrongly charged for it. It additionally highlights modern injustices carried out against minorities by police and the judicial system. 

  • Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap 

This short video from the Explained series helps one understand disadvantages that black families have in America and concepts like redlining which have allowed systemic poverty to persist within black communities. 

  • Who Killed Malcolm X? 

This series follows activist Abdur-Rahman Muhammad’s attempt to seek the truth surrounding the assassination of one of the most important leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm X. 

Reading: 

This reading list thread contains books and writings by authors like Malcolm X, Toni Morrison, and W.E.B. DuBois. All are excellent reads and most are created by black authors and are directly relevant to the protests 

  • Black Revolutionary Texts 

A Google Drive has been compiled with links to free books and poems by black revolutionary authors. It includes interesting perspectives about struggle, Civil Rights, and liberation. 

  • In Defense of Looting by Vicky Osterweil

This article from The New Inquirer can help you understand why looting should not be shamed in relation to the protests. Human lives are more important than property, and Osterweil gives reasoning to this end.  

Hope you all find this useful and are able to use these resources! I hope to expand upon these resources, but these are ones I have found and compiled so far. Happy reading! 

– Miranda

Categories
Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Charts 6/1

Artist Record Label
1 SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL"Demolisher" [Single] Sumerian
2 FIT FOR A KING"Breaking The Mirror" [Single] Solid State
3 AS I LAY DYING “Destruction or Strength” [Single] Nuclear Blast
4 UPON A BURNING BODY"Built from War" [Single] Seek & Strike
5 BENIGHTED Obscene Repressed Season of Mist
6 SUICIDE SILENCE “Overlord” [Single] Nuclear Blast
7 NEVER ENDING GAME Just Another Day Triple B
8 KUBLAI KHAN Absolute Rise
9 WHITECHAPEL The Valley Metal Blade
10 CURRENTS Monsters [EP] Sharptone

Categories
New Album Review

ALBUM REVIEW: Jeff Rosenstock – No Dream

ALBUM REVIEW: Jeff Rosenstock – No Dream

BEST TRACKS: State Line, ***BNB, Ohio Tpke

FCC dirty except for: State Line, Leave It In The Sun, Monday at the Beach

Jeff Rosenstock is the punk icon that can do it all. Most notably, he is the past lead singer of Bomb the Music Industry! and a solo artist, but he is also a producer, founder of independent record label Quote Unquote records, and has been a part of many other bands and collaborations. No Dream is Jeff’s fourth full-length album as a solo artist, which he dropped last week with absolutely no promotional buildup. This Summer-y, cathartic album came just in time for June. In accordance with Jeff Rosenstock’s strict DIY ethics, the album has been released for free online via Quote Unquote Records, with all donations going to vegan anti-hunger organization Food Not Bombs.

Jeff Rosenstock is a household name amongst fans of catchy basement punk. Each song on No Dream has potent DIY energy, due to the fact that the album was taped with analog outboard equipment rather than being mixed completely with a digital audio workstation. This album feeds nostalgia with its boisterous, scratchy, half-yelling, half-singing vocals and frantic drums that are starkly reminiscent of late 80s skate punk. In classic early Jeff Rosenstock style, the riffs are hard and fast and the lyrics are even faster.

Jeff’s previous two albums, WORRY and POST, were characterized by bleak sadness and anxiety. In NO DREAM, the anxiety hasn’t vanished, but exists in a more rambunctious, self-assured, let loose light that has been missing since the days of Bomb The Music Industry!. As a result, NO DREAM is heart-wrenching, yet still somewhat optimistic. NO DREAM is about embracing helplessness. Jeff Rosenstock’s songs have always expressed the rawest human emotions of anger, love, and heartbreak in the simplest, most straightforward, most hard hitting way. No Dream is another album for the DIY punk wall of fame. One thing’s for sure, Jeff never misses.

I recommend this album if you’re into bands like Joyce Manor, Deafheaven, PUP, or Antarctigo Vespucci.

-Safia

Categories
Playlists

2k Indie Online

 

‘You’re on the WKNC blog, I’m DJ Psyched and this is 2k Indie Online’. I really miss doing that on air, anyhow, here’s some new indie music for this week:

  • Rain by J.P. Plains: This artist has a very unique sound that is difficult to describe. He blends themes of electronic music, maybe slight folk(?), and indie. The artists’ vocals have always been a big standout for me, it’s easy to tell J.P. Plains voice from any other. This track’s lyrics are a reflection of the artist contemplating why they exist and why life is as it is. It’s served as a perfect late night ‘laying in bed and staring at the sky’ track. It’s relaxing and has those perfect subtle sad boy hour vibes.

  • Dream Boy by Beach Bunny: This song is such a bop, the chorus is incredibly catchy and the pre-chorus is hard not to scream along with. I love the electric guitars in this track, and the drums are also pretty standout here. It’s a wonderful indie rock track and the whole album ‘Honeymoon’ is worth a listen. The vocals are smooth, and the power in the vocals during the pre-chorus and chorus really make this track one that sticks in my mind long after a listen. A power love-track demanding proper love, gotta love it.

  • Double Dare by Momma: Another wonderful female-vocal track. This track is also led by electric guitar and has a very Indie-rock sound. However, this song has more relaxed vocals and a much more chill sound overall. I find myself humming along to the ‘double dare double dare’ one liner. The outro to this track definitely took me by surprise, it’s an interesting contrast from the rest of the track. The guitars fade gradually into what sounds like carnival music, quickly taking me out of the music and making me feel like I’m in some kind of story book. I’m pretty excited for the full album, as this is one of three tracks that’s been released for the upcoming record coming June 6th.

‘Those were the top tracks of 2k Indie Online for the week, if you have any requests for next week please do let me know. Keep it locked because there’s sure more to come’

Until Next Time,

Let’s Stay Psyched about Music

DJ Psyched

Categories
New Album Review

Arrested Youth & the Quarentiners

 

‘Arrested Youth & the Quarantiners’ is the second EP from the artist Arrested Youth. This collection of tracks is incredibly unique since the artist let his fans help with the writing process, even providing some of the backing vocals. He also stated that this was his first time producing his own music. The five track collection will also be followed with music videos for each track and will also feature fans that helped with its creative process. Arrested Youth will also be donating the money from the album’s streams to a charity, and once again the choice of which will be up to his fans.

In an Instagram post the musician talks about how being an artist can sometimes be too centered on who’s the most relevant and ‘who’s got more hype’. He actively speaks against this ‘fame’ mindset in all of his music, and this creative way of making the album was his way of getting his fans more involved in the process, allowing them to feel an even more personal connection to the message. ‘as i continue this project, my mindset continues to shift away from all that. i enjoy building this creative community that cares about quality over quantity.’ he says. He also gave credit to each and every person who helped create the album. 

He ends his message by adding’ i’m proud to be an artist today, and i’m proud of our fan base for coming together to write this great album. congratulations my friends.’I’ve been a fan of the artist for a while because of his ‘nonconformity’ mindset and his views on valuing art over clout, and this EP lives up to that message fully.

The EP has a very upbeat and sing-a-long type sound. As always the artist hooks us in with incredibly catchy and chant-able choruses, while also dropping relatable and thought provoking versus along the way.

The first track ‘Castaway’ focuses on the uncertainty in life right, a common theme in the EP, and not letting those feelings stop your dreams and living the way you want (even if it’s not the life we were taught to live). ‘Jumping Ship’ is a track that uses a metaphor to symbolize changing your mind a lot, and again, being uncertain. He also talks about the highs and lows of life, how one day we can be doing amazing and the next not so well. ‘Corone’ is all about the state of the world right now, making direct references to toilet paper hoarding and staying home. It expresses how faith is important right now and explains how people are coping. He also spins things to a bright side saying ‘if a change could ever happen, this is perfect timing’. The track becomes a power anthem, telling us that through all the hard and weird times we can still spin this around to make us better after the fact. 

On another note, ‘Hanging Posters’ is about losing friends, and how indifferent it feels to move on from those who are insincere. ‘Coraline’ serves as a summary of all of this, leaving the collection in a state that keeps us thinking and curious.

When he announced the release of this EP he almost mentioned that Sobville Part II will be out later this summer, and I couldn’t be more excited for it. Oh, and there’s also a full length album coming in the fall.

Until next time,

Let’s Stay Psyched about Music

– DJ Psyched