Half Moon Run – Dark Eyes
Where Dark Eyes shines is in its darkest place. While not an ominous effort per se, Half Moon Run makes a strong argument for creating a serious, calculated record in today’s non-stop onslaught of regurgitated drivel. Throughout the album, the four-piece makes it clear that (in contrast to their relatively sparse Internet persona) they truly...
Pinegrove – Meridian
Contributing to my recent journey through some early 2000′s-styled indie/alt rock, the New York quartet Pinegrove serendipitously offered up their riveting 8-track effort Meridian. But before I go into the details of what makes Meridian so miraculous, a quick side note: While I wholeheartedly encourage submissions from independent artists, the music I’ve received ranges wildly between...
Cloudkicker – Let Yourself Be Huge
Instrumental rock is a tough nut to crack. Without vocals to carry the melodies front and center, listeners can easily lose their way in a quagmire of guitar walls, bass lines and drum beats. Add in the length of a typical release, and boredom can set in quickly if the songs aren’t structured to catch...
