new wave - music art film review

Wire, Helmet Live Show Review (Portland, OR)

This evening, the spirit of the ’60s seems alive and thriving in the Crystal Ballroom. You can sense the remnants of bands like New Riders Of The Purple Sage or The Byrds, as you set foot upon the legendary bouncing dancefloor. It is a grand West Coast ballroom, in the tradition of the Fillmores; there’s...Read...

Nov 23

by Jason Simpson

Leven Signs – Hemp Is Here Album Review

Leven Signs Hemp Is Here Digitalis (2013 Reissue; 1985) Some records are made before their time. Many things have changed in the 28 years since Hemp Is Here was first released – but even now, with an additional 3 decades of ethnomusicology under our belts, its thrift store Hindustani vibrations still sound freaky. This must’ve...Read...

Apr 2

by Jason Simpson

Pere Ubu – Lady From Shanghai Album Review

Pere Ubu Lady From Shanghai Fire Records You’d expect to be thrown off a bit when delving into a new Pere Ubu record; discordant, unsettling rock n’ roll has been the band’s stock in trade for over 30 years. But on their latest, Lady from Shanghai, they take it one step further. Pere Ubu describe...Read...

Feb 28

by Douglas Miller

La Femme – “Sur La Planche” Music Video

La Femme is a band whose stylistic choices I do not doubt — both musically and visually. This video for “Sur La Plache” has some technobabble elements, but mixes those with surf imagery and tons of red lighting, like Jaws joining forces with ’50s sci-fi films. Directed by George Trimm & La Femme Starring Danica...Read...

Feb 17

by Vivian Hua

INXS – Original Sin Album Review

It is my belief that to comment thoroughly on an album, it takes at least five full, uninterrupted listens within a 10-day period. Appropriately, I am sitting down to write my comments on Original Sin, the 2011 INXS reinvention/ tribute album, after my fifth complete listen. I read the press release, describing the making of...Read...

Jan 26

by Jesse C. Dienner

La Femme – Le Podium 1 EP Album Review

A lean little 4-track EP, Le Podium #1 is a workout routine in La Femme’s ability to genre-hop. EP opener, “Sur La Planche,” boasts French lyrics that translate to, “On a surf board /On the beach, on the wave, I’m searching for sensations /On a surfboard, in the tubes, I’m searching for sensations/ You better...Read...

Jan 10

by Vivian Hua

The Sleeping – The Big Deep Album Review

The Sleeping has been around for a hot minute now, and their presence has been largely welcomed, particularly since they a part of the crop of Long Island bands like Bayside and I am The Avalanche who have been crafting haunting pop-punk records through the years. For their latest release on Victory Records, The Sleeping...Read...

Oct 12

by Ryan Pangilinan

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – History Of Modern Album Review

On OMD’s first studio album in 14 years — and their first album featuring their original lineup in 24 years, the band immediately head back to their classic sound with “New Babies/New Toys.” The only difference is that everything sounds a bit harder, and frontman Andy McCluskey’s voice is stronger than ever. What is created...Read...

Oct 2

by Pete Crigler

Little Girls – Concepts Album Review

Sure, Canada gave the world Broken Social Scene, but analogously speaking, Canada may be to the crowd of Crystal Castles fans what the last decade of Sub Pop releases is to modern hipsterdom. Although both seemed to harbor the potential to redefine this generation of the disillusioned hoping to reclaim a shred of cultural dignity,...Read...

Oct 18

by Qichen Zhang

Plushgun – Pins and Panzers Album Review

Thanks to bands like the Postal Service, synth-pop has steadily been creeping back into peoples’ CD players (do people still use those?), and Plushgun is another band among the many that are taking cues from the likes of New Order and putting a contemporary twist on them. Plushgun’s new full-length, Pins and Panzers, is more...Read...

Apr 18

by Ryan Pangilinan