Album Reviews - music art film review

To The Waves – Self-Titled Album Review

Recently, essayist Eric Grubbs wrote a book entitled POST: A Book About the Influence of Post-Hardcore 1985-2008. In the book, Grubbs profiles several bands, including genre stalwarts like At the Drive-In, Jawbox, Fugazi and Sunny Day Real Estate. If that book were to continue, Seattle/Tacoma-based To the Waves would be a perfect case study for...Read...

Jan 5

by Ryan Pangilinan

Albums Of The Year 2008

Last year marked the first year in which we compiled a top five albums of the year, as deemed by nine Redefine staff writers. Remarkably, no albums were doubled up. It proved that Redefine staff writers have diverse tastes, and that their tastes run the musical gamut. This year, we decided to try the same...Read...

Dec 26

by Vivian Hua

The Escape Frame – Self-Titled Album Review

For fans of synthy pop-punk, The Escape Frame is immediately likeable. For me, the aforementioned subgenre is only likeable in small doses. Strangely, however, something about The Escape Frame rubbed me the right way right off the bat. Their sound is admittedly at times rudimentary, but it’s pleasurable in exactly a non-threatening way. Their vocals...Read...

Dec 20

by Vivian Hua

The British Columbians – Self-Titled Album Review

There seems to be a folky revolution in the works. Maybe it’s always been there; it’s hard to tell for sure. But regardless, a neighborhood of Langhorne Slim, Blitzen Trapper, The Avett Brothers, etc., is suburban-sprawling like a bastard. What can I say? They’ve got an excellent school system… But hey, look — The British...Read...

Dec 18

by Rachel Helm

South Central – The Owl of Minerva Album Review

The type of electronic-rock hybrid music Americans seem to lap up these days either take the fairly synth-poppy route of the Presets or the funky house route of Daft Punk and Justice. South Central’s The Owl of Minerva is more for the individuals who aren’t afraid to enjoy dark, distorted, and at times industrial-esque electronica....Read...

Dec 14

by Vivian Hua

The Whore Moans – Hello From The Radio Wasteland! Album Review

From the first few bars on “Nerve Tonic!,” the opening track from the Whore Moans’ album, Hello From the Radio Wasteland!, the listener knows that he or she is in for a treat. Like the similarly-minded Hour of the Wolf, the Whore Moans play up a brand of raw energetic punk rock that has been...Read...

Dec 5

by Ryan Pangilinan

Greeley Estates – Go West Young Man, Let the Evil Go East Album Review

I first made aware of Greeley Estates in late 2005; they were a “little band” that had jumped on a few tours that brought them through Orange County, California. In 2006, I was asked to do my first interview with a few of the guys from Greeley Estates at a little hole-in-the-wall venue for the...Read...

Oct 18

by Kyle Parsons

I’m From Barcelona – Who Killed Harry Houdini Album Review

I’m From Barcelona have generated a good amount of buzz in the US since their tour last year. While this is their sophomore release, following their 2007 debut, Let Me Introduce My Friends, this record marks their first album for high-regarded label Mute and their official break onto our shores. Who Killed Harry Houdini was...Read...

Oct 14

by Judy Nelson

Confide – Shout The Truth Album Review

I will be perfectly honest and admit to falling into quick judgment before really giving a go at this band. Confide have been one of those groups of guys that I have heard about here and there, but I never really paid close attention to their progress and wrote them off as an Underoath rip-off....Read...

Oct 12

by Kyle Parsons

Nagisa Ni Te – Yosuga Album Review

A journey to the sea sometimes is a ritual — an escape from the responsibilities and tribulations that lurk around every corner in the big cities. For school kids, a trip to the sea is almost a requirement for the perfect summer vacation. For a family, a picnic by the ocean can be one of...Read...

Oct 9

by Allen Huang