Alabama Shakes vocalist Brittany Howard’s larger-than-life-sounding voice dominates her sophomore solo album as she addresses themes of self-empowerment, self-motivation, and moving on. Read my FLOOD review here.
Brittany Howard’s ‘What Now’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard on 02/09/2024 by Kurt OrzeckExclusive Song Premiere: Trauma Kit’s ‘Better’
Posted in Exclusives with tags Trauma Kit on 02/09/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
Excitement is building for the full-length debut by Trauma Kit, an experimental-hardcore-rock band from Boise that we introduced you to last year. Train Wrecks Take Time will come courtesy of bassist Shadrach Tuck’s Mishap Records label on February 23 — but in the meantime, we bring you the exclusive premiere of album track “Better” today.
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Paranoid Style’s ‘Interrogator’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Paranoid Style on 02/06/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
The DC garage-pop band throws caution to the wind on their fourth album, which sounds as fresh as a debut as they tear through 13 songs in what feels like the time it takes to flip to Side B. Read my full review for FLOOD here.
Courting’s ‘New Last Name’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Courting on 01/29/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
Moving at a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it speed that never ceases to captivate, post-punk quartet Courting makes a case for appreciating life and all its wonders at breakneck speed on their second LP. Read my FLOOD review here.
Yes, Mary Timony Is Still On For Boise’s Treefort Music Fest
Posted in News with tags Ex Hex, Helium, Mary Timony, Treefort, Treefort Music Fest, Wild Flag on 01/28/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
With Treefort Music Fest less than two months away, indie-rock fans flocking to Boise can breathe a collective sigh of relief: Legendary artist Mary Timony is, indeed, still on the bill.
Best known as the leader of Helium, the dreamy Boston trio that served as a staple of Matador Records’ roster in the ’90s, Timony is one of the main draws at this year’s edition of the five-day event. Treefort will take place from March 20 to 24 at various venues throughout the growing city.
Continue readingPallbearer Share Wild Tour Stories As New LP Looms
Posted in Interviews with tags Pallbearer on 01/24/2024 by Kurt OrzeckPallbearer fans are still biting their fingernails in anticipation of the heralded doom band’s next album, which they finished recording way back in June. The Arkansas group told us a little bit about the record last year — but to tide over Pallbearer’s devotees who are continuing to be patient, here’s a previously unpublished conversation, published on New Noise, in which they share entertaining stories about life on the road.
Helga Frontwoman Transcends The Hell Of Isolation
Posted in Interviews with tags Helga on 01/23/2024 by Kurt OrzeckCheck out my touching, intimate interview with shoegaze/pop/folk/doom-metal newcomers Helga in this feature courtesy of New Noise.
Belgium’s Carnation Put the Petal to the Metal
Posted in Interviews with tags Carnation, Season of Mist on 01/23/2024 by Kurt OrzeckCarnation vocalist Simon Duson may be Belgian, but he doesn’t waffle when asked tough questions about his old-school death-metal band. Check out my full piece on New Noise.
Touché Amoré’s ‘Is Survived By: Revived’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Touché Amoré on 01/22/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
Remixed and remastered, post-hardcore group Touché Amoré’s Is Survived By: Revived sounds crisper here, with a cleaner separation of sound that does far more justice to the tight performances by each band member. Read my FLOOD review here.
Spiritualized’s ‘Amazing Grace’ 20th Anniversary Reissue: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Spiritualized on 01/21/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
The second installment in the Spaceman Reissue Program series brings more clarity to Spiritualized’s uncharacteristically collaborative, exuberant and sincere 2003 effort. Check out FLOOD for my full review.
The Bad Penny (beta) 