Archive for the Reviews Category

Tool’s 68 Songs, Ranked From ‘Invincible’ to ‘Disgustipated’

Posted in Lists, Reviews with tags , , , on 08/01/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Because I said so. Order never subject to change.

1. “The Grudge”

2. “Invincible”

3. “The Patient”

4. “Sober”

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Dozer’s ‘Rewind to Return – Rarities, Singles and B-Sides’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 08/01/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

With the release of Dozer’s meaty collection of singles and obscure tracks, the heavy-go-lucky band of sweet Swedes give those who’ve slept on the band – this writer not included – a chance to redeem themselves. Hop over to Veil of Sound for my review of an album that acrobatically appeals to Dozer diehards and those getting a whiff of their sound (and pot smoke) for the first time.

The Armed’s ‘The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 08/01/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

The Armed’s sixth album is a consistent, melodic post-hardcore assault, maintaining a relentless pummeling in defiance to the system as much as it is to their recent pop streak. Read my full review of the Detroit punks’ new record on FLOOD.

The Jesus Lizard’s 103 Songs, Ranked From the G.O.A.T. to the … Just Don’t

Posted in Lists, Reviews with tags , , , , on 07/27/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Because I said so. Order never subject to change.

1. “Gladiator”

2. “Destroy Before Reading”

3. “Monkey Trick”

4. “Boilermaker”

5. “Dancing Naked Ladies”

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Superchunk’s ‘Songs in the Key of Yikes’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 07/26/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Superchunk are delivering their sunniest, most playful and even chipper-sounding record since 1995’s Here’s Where the Strings Come In. Read my Music Connection review.

HLLLYH’s ‘URUBURU’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags , on 07/17/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

HLLLYH’s URUBURU was originally intended to be the fourth Mae Shi album. But the members of HLLLYH discovered that making new music by piggybacking on prototypes of old Mae Shi material sounded like Mae Shit. In hindsight, it was as if HLLLYH had put on an elaborate stage production of Weekend at Bernie’s. Read my review on Treble.

Matt Jencik & Midwife’s ‘Never Die’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags , , on 07/11/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

While Matt Jencik is listed first in this collaborative duo’s billing, one could easily mistake Never Die for a proper studio effort by Madeline Elizabeth Johnston’s Midwife. Muted, melancholic, sometimes meandering and always mysterious, hers is a tranquilizing sound. Read my review of Never Die on Treble.

Gaupa’s ‘Fyr’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 07/11/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Fyr, the new EP by superbly skillful Swedes GAUPA, is a downright infuriating listen. Well, to this embarrassed rock critic, at least. How does a band capable of writing and executing a record, even if it is just a short-player, without the slightest blemish, scratch or scuff? Read my review of the EP for Veil of Sound.

Agriculture’s ‘Bodhidharma’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Reviews with tags on 07/10/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

One might regard as pretentious Agriculture’s belief that they warrant a genre of their own, which they call “ecstatic black metal.” But try finding another band that alternates between enormous riffs that grab hold like the Sarlacc Pit in Return of the Jedi and refuse to let go. Read my Treble review of “Bodhidharma,” a single selected from Agriculture’s forthcoming The Spiritual Sound.

Agriculture’s ‘Bodhidharma’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Reviews with tags on 07/10/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Try finding another band that alternates between enormous riffs that grab hold like the Sarlacc Pit in Return of the Jedi and refuse to let go. Read my Treble review of Agriculture’s new song, “Bodhidharma.”