After a decade together, Chicago psych-doom quartet REZN craft a second album for Sargent House, Cycles in the Infinite Dream, that’s as deadly serious in story as it is in execution.
Continue readingREZN’s ‘Cycles in the Infinite Dream’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags desert rock, doom, REZN, stoner metal, stoner rock on 07/28/2026 by Kurt OrzeckFavorite Films: If You Loved ‘Backrooms,’ You’ll Probably Dig ‘The Cell’ Too
Posted in Essays, Favorite Films, Features with tags Backrooms, Chiwetel Ejiofor, J. Lo, Jennifer Lopez, Kane Parsons, Renate Reinsve, Tarsem Singh, The Cell, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio on 07/28/2026 by Kurt OrzeckTo the surprise of no one, the summer blockbuster to beat is Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey which, based on the reactions of critics and average-joe moviegoers alike, seems to be the best movie of all time ever made ever in the history of all times. But there’s still a curious mid-card match taking place far more unexpectedly: the jostling between two very low-budget psychological horror flicks, Obsession and Backrooms. Both are very unnerving, mostly sparing in the use of violence, and tap into Americans’ widespread fear these days of psychological insanity and not knowing what’s real (cough, MAGA, cough) versus physical violence.
The Bad Penny highly recommends both films – and one more, although it dates back 26 years. The Cell was a thoroughly original horror movie (more so than sci-fi, the genre in which it was primarily marketed and classified). It starred Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn and Vincent D’Onofrio, who didn’t make for the strongest acting ensemble, but that issue was mitigated by the fact that visionary Indian director Tarsem Singh helmed The Cell.
Continue readingMeet Stunt Drummer, Jesus Lizard Superfans Who Are Bringing the Noise-Rock in Portland
Posted in Interviews, Videos with tags Jesus Lizard, Stunt Drummer on 07/28/2026 by Kurt OrzeckPortland, Oregon’s Stunt Drummer didn’t have one for the longest time – an inside joke that the band eventually decided should be its moniker. They eventually found one to play on their 2023 self-titled debut – only for the band to swap drummers again for their recently released second album, Warm Up, Tiger.
Join The Bad Penny as we talk with guitarist/vocalist Marty Buckenmeyer and bassist Ethan Schee about the challenges of getting a band off the ground, our mutual love for the Jesus Lizard and why Stunt Drummer decided to record live in a small room with minimal overdubs.
Continue readingLamb of God’s ‘Killing Floor’ Is the Metal Song to Beat So Far in 2026; Plus, the Band’s Top 10 Best Other Tunes
Posted in Lists, Videos with tags Chris Adler, Lamb of God, Randy Blythe on 07/28/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
There’s no official video yet for this song, just this lyric one, but no bother – Lamb of God’s “The Killing Floor” is the best metal song of the year thus far. It’s from the band’s 10th album, Into Oblivion, released in March through Century Media/ Epic. The only thing missing is Chris Adler‘s unparalleled drumming. And it ain’t even one of the album’s four singles: “Sepsis,” “Parasocial Christ,” “Into Oblivion” and “Blunt Force Blues.”
Listen and be converted/cured (per Dr. Randy Blythe‘s orders):
While we’re on the topic of Lamb of God, why not share what we consider to be 10 of their other best songs ever? We’ve been meaning to get around to that anyway but have procrastinated because no one will agree with this list. And why would you? There’s always a 50/50 chance that a Lamb of God song is gonna be solid.
Continue readingExclusive Video Premiere: Be Decent’s ‘You Better Work’
Posted in Exclusives, Interviews, Videos with tags Be Decent, Ted Leo on 07/28/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
“It’s self-help ska, only not as dreadful as that sounds.”
-Be Decent’s Ken Partridge
Be Decent – an instructively named neo-ska quartet from Brooklyn – are fixated on the September 18 release date for their debut record, Now’s the Time. But first things first (or second, in this case): The band needs to slip out a couple of singles to lather captive indie-rockers with interest. The first tune came in the form of “Human Nature,” featuring Ted Leo; today, The Bad Penny exclusively brings you Be Decent’s second single, “You Better Work,” and accompanying video for it.
Calling to mind a reprimand from father or a frustrated exclamation directed at one’s self while trying to fix a laptop, “You Better Work” is a chipper, affirmative song with saxophone flourishes and undeniable reggae influences.
Continue reading10 Heartwarming Music Performances From the Original ‘Muppet Show’: Elton John, Alice Cooper, Johnny Cash
Posted in Comedy, Lists, Videos with tags Alice Cooper, Elton John, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Kenny Rogers, Liza Minnelli, Muppets, Paul Simon, Paul Williams on 07/27/2026 by Kurt OrzeckMonday bumming you out? Well, take out your phone, start the stopwatch, and we promise yer frown will turn upside down in 60 seconds if you watch any of these songs performed by humans in tandem with puppets. We only picked performances from the original Muppet Show, when the whole Muppet conceit was sincere, unironic and not (too) shamelessly corporate.
1. Elton John and Miss Piggy
Creem’s ‘A Taste of Cherry’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Islands, Mike Stroud, Nick Thorburn, Ratatat, The Creem on 07/27/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
On their collaborative debut, Islands’ Nick Thorburn and Ratatat’s Mike Stroud mostly adhere to a conventional pop format and rarely deviate into either artist’s inherent weirdness. Read my full review of The Creem’s A Taste of Cherry at FLOOD.
Black Drumset’s ‘Friends in Dark Places’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Brian Wiley, The Black Drumset on 07/27/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
In my second review for Bandcamp Daily, I argue that Brian Wiley (a.k.a. The Black Drumset) proves on Friends in Dark Places that he’s the rare generous solo musician/composer who is careful never to spiral too deep into his own mind and abilities—tempting though it must be—and lose the listener in the process. Instead, he welcomes all to join him for the ride.
Continue readingOf Montreal in Boise on July 26, 2026: Taste the Rainbow
Posted in Concert Reviews, Reviews with tags Of Montreal on 07/27/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
The Bad Penny (beta) 