Category Archives: Uncategorized

Darryl Jenifer –  Song Review “Sacred Love II” off the upcoming album The Weather Channel

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A man with a short beard is looking upward towards the viewer.

Ok, we are obviously here to talk about this new single from Jenifer and there is plenty of good things to say about it in a minute.  First though, a quick piece of informational content / PSA for your musical enlightenment.  If you are not aware, Jenifer is part of the groundbreaking group Bad Brains who came blasting out of the Washington D.C. scene in the late 70’s.  You could easily call that band punk but that label does not really tell the whole story.  I know that the first time I heard their 1986 album I Against I it was basically a mind-bending experience. I would encourage you to take a ride down their discography – it will be a fantastic adventure.  

This first single off the upcoming release is actually a redux of the Bad Brains song “Sacred Love” off the above referenced album.   That original has a very memorable rhythm section and that stays true on the reimagined version. It comes in on a brief rat-a-tat and then a full bass blooms out, prominent but with some soft edges that give it kind of a comforting feel.  The drums throughout are also key to the foundation and contribute some subtle but important light touches.  The keys play in several different tones along the way and, along with some nice guitar interludes, provide the melodic highlights and variety.  When I first hit play I was definitely feeling the lingering vibes of the original but by the midway point this song had expanded beyond that inspiration and become its own composition.  I think that is the magic of it and this is a very enjoyable, well-crafted track in the jazz fusion space.   This is out now to add to you collection and the full album drops July 17th via Org Music.  

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Musicians on this album are: Darryl Jenifer (bass, melodica), John Medeski (keys), Ben Perowsky (drums, percussion), Karma “Chogyi” Marco (guitar) with appearances by Jack DeJohnette and Karl Berger.

Streaming link:

https://bio.to/darryljenifer

Pre-order the vinyl here (both the single b/w F.A.LS. and the upcoming album): 

Darryl Jenifer

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://jeniferventures.com

http://www.instagram.com/badbrainsofficial/

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂 

Song Review- Chaser – “Three Little Birds” 

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Four casually dressed men sitting on some tiered bench seating. They seem to be happy.

It goes without saying, and I have said it before anyway, that not every attempt to take a song from one distinct genre and mold it into a song for a different genre is successful.  Fortunately this is a case where it all worked out very well for the redux of this classic Bob Marley song.  

It starts off with a nice stylistic change, converting the well-known synth melody line to guitar and hitting a tone that sets the music in that alternative / punk space right away.  The bass provides some very cool buzz to that intro chorus.  Right as the first verse kicks in this track takes on a jumpy groove driven by a spirited drum section.  The vocals  are delivered with a pep that definitely brings some extra energy to the performance.   The band stays on that path for most of the song although there is a nice slip down into a brief reggae moment right after the two minute mark.   This song in its original classic version by Marley always left me with a “just chill out, it’s cool, you are going to be ok” feeling.  It always brightened up my mood.  Chaser’s version does a really great job of amping up that message to “Yes! You are totally going to be ok – we all got this!”  I enjoyed the heck out of listening and will be looking forward to the release of their two track EP Gonna Be Alright on May 29th.

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Musicians on this are: Jesse Stopnitzky (bass, vocals), Bill Hockmuth (guitar), Davey Guy (drums) and Mike LeDonne (vocals)

Streaming link:

https://chaser.hearnow.com/three-little-birds

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://www.instagram.com/chaserpunk

https://chaser.bandcamp.com/music

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂 

Album Review- Neale Eckstein – Build Our Dreams

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A man sits surrounded by studio recording equipment. He is holding an acoustic guitar.

This is a new artist for me and thanks to Adam Dawson at Broken Jukebox Media for giving me the opportunity to preview this album which will officially drop today.   After doing a deep dive through the tracks on this new release I went back and caught up on some other music from Eckstein.  I found 2014’s Click which features a number of the talented musicians that also appear on Build Our Dreams.  The songs on that album are written or co-written by Eckstein and performed by the various artists.  A couple favorites there are “Stormchaser” (Matt Nakoa) and  “Devil’s Gate” (Jeremiah Birnbaum).  I also enjoyed “January Thaw” off 2024’s Never Too Late.

This new LP kicks off with “Always Been Older Than Me” which has one of those cool mandolin riffs at the beginning and the song then quickly settles into a light, swaying rhythm.  The instrumentation is fairly sparse which leaves plenty of room for the strong vocal as he tells a story about not quite fitting into the world.  “All The Little Things” is soft and mellow with a nice little guitar melody playing just slightly in the background.  The arrangement is just right to convey the “long time love” theme of this track, rising up slightly like one of those heart-swelling moments you get if you are lucky enough.  Things get a little interesting with the addition of the cello on “Still We Build Our Dreams” as it adds some nice tension which fits the mood of this song. 

“Make It Through Bad Times” is next, followed by “Empty Frame on the Wall.”  Even though a couple of the selections on this album have the “spoken poem” feel to them, this is the one that really hits that mark for me.  The lyrics are so descriptive and build this small world you can feel yourself stepping into and experiencing.  I really like the multiple violins here and the bass fills out the mood well.  A fairly straightforward cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” is then followed by “I Just Want to Talk to You” which is centered on a peaceful piano vibe and a plaintive vocal.   It left me with a feeling of resigned sadness.  

The next track, “Keep Christmas in Your Heart,” fits in as a fairly traditional style holiday number, introspective and nostalgic.  The storytelling ability of Eckstein lifts this one up though and it could easily become a regular on your December playlist.   That song is followed by “Everyone Was Watching” and it is my favorite on the album.  It starts off with a slow country groove but quickly picks up some energy and adds in some electric guitar for a nice change of pace.  The arrangement here is very well done and includes some light but perfectly played percussion that makes this a danceable number.  “If You Could See Me” steps down the tempo as it opens on a somber cello and light guitar melody that are the foundation of this thoughtful and reflective tune.  The album closes on “Mr. Ashe” which hit me as a traveling song in just the first few seconds of play…something about that guitar tone and those beginning notes.  It is a solid finish for Build Our Dreams.

Overall this is an album with strong songwriting and a definite storytelling focus as each selection really paints a vivid picture.  Some are sad, some thoughtful, some a little upbeat…it is a good combination and the large group of musicians that collaborated do an excellent job of bringing these stories to life.

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Musicians on this change for each song – the complete list:   Neale Eckstein (vocals, guitar, dobro), Bruno Milgliari (bass), Jagoda (drums), Pedro Silveria (electric guitar), Steve Lewis (pedal steel), Eric Schwartz (organ), André Vasconcellos (bass), Bruno Werner (drums), Nikos Mavridis (violin, viola), Ben Trigg (cello), Keris Choi (violins), Rene Pfister (violins), Josué González (piano), Sophie Buskin (harmonies), Matt Nakoa (electric guitars), Chris Powers (drums, percussion) and the Eckstein family choir.  

You can purchase this on his Bandcamp page 

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://nealeeckstein.com

https://nealeeckstein.bandcamp.com/album/build-our-dreams

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂 

Release Alert- High On Stress – Still Here 

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Four male musicians playing on an elevated stage to a crowd of people.

It is always a good day when High On Stress release new music and May 8th was the date of this particular gift of happiness.   It might be me but as a Minneapolis native this band just sounds like the Twin Cities.  Their songs often have themes that undoubtedly hit the mark across many people but there is something about the spirit, sound, vibe…just the overall groove that their songs hit that evokes this area.  There is a moment in time long ago…rolling down Lyndale on the MTC past Painter Park, OarFolk, Mortimers…it sits in the songs of High On Stress with me. Maybe it is all in my head since I have been listening to them for so long but my opinion on that is never going to change.  

This latest set (on Rum Bar Records) is the follow-up to 2020’s Hold Me In although they did also release some singles in the interim between full albums.   There are twelve tracks total here and it is a great listen all the way through.  They open with the pointed “House of Cards” which is a song that has a subdued energy that feels like it is just itching to burst out.  Also included are the energetic “Over/Thru” (several cool guitar tones on this one) and “Time Will Tell You” (rhythm section powered awesomeness).   

There are also some nice slower tempo numbers like “Cliffhanger” and “Ambassador” (which has a interesting drum line that gives this track a bit of an unsettled vibe). For my own favorite song I have to go all the way to the title track in slot twelve.   There is something just a little bit different about the tone and sonic atmosphere of this one – a little edgier, sharper…maybe a little bit colder sound.   Whatever it is, it works really well on this very poignant, straightforward track that also features a couple boisterous bridges that made me happy.  

As always, Leet’s vocals throughout are delivered with a clarity and earnest energy that feels very real and true.  They combine well with the other talented musicians in High on Stress for an excellent album.   I highly recommend Still Here to your attention and hope you can make time to listen to it soon!

If you have time and are interested it is also worth picking up their Live at First Avenue album – just a sweet concert recording to enjoy.   

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Musicians on this are: Nick Leet (vocals, guitar, piano, organ), Mark Devaraj (drums), Jim Soule (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Wheeling (guitar). 

Order this one here – several options! 

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/still-here

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

Highonstressband.com

https://www.instagram.com/highonstressmpls

Playlist links 

5 To Spin for 05.06.2026: Belvedere, High On Stress, Amyl and the Sniffers, Avenues, Aree and the Pure Heart

https://bandcamp.com/jackmesenbourg/playlist/03022026

Prior review links 

Song Review- Dan Murphy & High On Stress  –  “Tethered” 
Song Review- Nick Leet “Edge of Town” from the album Detours

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂 

Album Review- John Mailander’s Forecast – Little Wheel // Hope Looming 

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One woman and six men are seated on a low brick bench in front of a similar wall. They all appear happy.

Band photo by Steph Heath with Smiling Eyes Media 

This is a new group / collective to me and I also had not heard of John Mailander prior to getting the opportunity to preview this album.  Much thanks to Erin Scholze at Dreamspider Publicity for the opportunity as I really enjoyed this EP.

The first song on this release is an interpretation of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “Little Wheel Spin and Spin” which first came out on the 1966 album of the same title.  The opening thirty seconds set a slightly tense vibe with a sharp melody line that is tempered by some softer touches.  Train’s vocals ride the edge of the sonic atmosphere here, mostly in front but occasionally falling back, swallowed up in a wave of emotive sound.  The arrangement does a great job of continuing to build tension behind the vocal, gradually bringing in sparse but dynamic percussion.  The song continues to wind itself up through the first three minutes.  The most interesting part for me is that you do not get a big release here, no great cascade that finally breaks the tension.  It kind of washes itself out through the interplay of the instruments and leaves things unresolved at the end.  

“Hope, Looming” is next and this is a purely instrumental track.  It starts wistful and slow with a  quiet guitar melody punctuated by a stark bass and light piano touches.  The arrangement here is very well done, shifting toward a tone that grows more uplifting as other instruments join in.   As you cross over the 2:05 mark of this song things change as the rhythm section gains prominence and the beat quickens.  It is quiet at first and then volume builds along with a blooming musical atmosphere that gathers force and energy.  Right after the four minute mark it dissolves into atmospheric keys followed by aggressive percussion and then a final section that I think can be interpreted several ways but it left me with mostly a nostalgic feeling.  

The final track is “(turnstile)” and although it is a short fifty-five seconds this one is interesting enough to warrant multiple loops of listening.  I will leave you to sort it out when you have a chance to give this album as listen.  

Overall I really enjoyed this EP and felt that the listening and emotional experience it delivered was quite noteworthy.  I would recommend that you get a copy (see purchase link below), find some quiet space and really tune in to the music,  

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Musicians on this are:  John Mailander (fiddle, piano, electronics), Ethan Jodziewicz (upright & electric bass), Chris Lippincott (pedal steel guitar, Wurlitzer), Dean Miller (tenor saxophone), Mark Raudabaugh (drums, percussion) and Jake Stargel (acoustic guitar).  Special guest doing vocals on “Little Wheel Spin and Spin” – Kristina Train.

Streaming link: 

https://ffm.to/pkmbjow

Purchase link: 

https://johnmailander.bandcamp.com/album/little-wheel-hope-looming

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://www.johnmailander.com

https://www.instagram.com/johnmailander

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂 


Album Review- Horace Pinker / Raging Nathans Split EP

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Four men stand on a music stage backlit by the spotlights.

Horace Pinker band photo Dee Dee Kohl

Now this is a great idea for a split EP and I was happy to hear about it from Mike Cubillos at Earshot Media.   I have previously reviewed Horace Pinker and as mentioned there they have released some music which still remains on my favorites list.  If you have not checked out Copper Regret yet well…there is a mission for you.  I have also heard that their 2022 album House of Cards just got a physical re-release from People of Punk Rock.  As for The Raging Nathans, they run quite a ways back with me also.  I believe I heard parts of Losing It early in 2015 and songs like “Free Parking” and “How To Validate Anything” are high points there.  Rad Girlfriend Records re-issued that album in 2024 although I have not listened to that version.  Their self-titled EP from 2012 is also a great 7-song set including what I consider to be the best version of “Going Down” (which also appears on Losing It).  They have an extensive catalog which you can check out on their Bandcamp page.  

The first two tracks on this release are from the Nathans and they start off with “Running in Place” which has a fantastic and buzzy guitar intro that is soon followed by fast, heavy drums.  That rhythm section keeps up a relentless energy that defines the sound and vibe of this song.  Next is “The Devil’s Watch” which has a pretty groovy cyclical beat and a few interesting vocal moments.  

A black and white photo of four male musicians playing music on a stage.

Horace Pinker starts their set with “Another Way” which jumps out fast and does not slow down.  The final thirty seconds on this song were the highlight for me, kind of a musical breakdown / crash out that mirrors the lyrical theme.   They close out the EP with “Redeemer” which features a prominent rhythm line as the drums and bass weave in and out to provide a punchy texture.  The guitar provides the lighter side of the sound here, kind of an echoing, shimmering vibe that rounds out the tone very well.  

Put together these four songs make for a solid release featuring these two standout bands.  

This split EP (on Red Girlfriend Records) is out now! 

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Streaming link:

And you can order this right here: 

https://radgirlfriendrecords.bandcamp.com/album/split-6

Check this video for Horace Pinker’s “Three Against Me” which is not on this EP but was part of their Now and the Future album from last year. 

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://www.instagram.com/horacepinker47/

https://horacepinker.bandcamp.com/music

https://theragingnathans.bandcamp.com/music

https://www.instagram.com/theragingnathans/

Prior review links 

Song Review- Horace Pinker- “Call It a Day” from the album Now and the Future

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂 

Song Review- Plague Vendor- “Unc”

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Four casually dressed men stand in front of a barbed wire fence and are looking toward the viewer. On the other side of the fence is a backed in van with the rear door open.

Any day that there is some new Plague Vendor music out is a good one around here so we definitely had a whole happy moment when this song dropped April 24th.  

Loud and brash right from the start, “Unc” manages to offset that energy with some pointed lyrics that interject a few moments of humor along the way to lighten the mood.   The rhythm section here is hard and choppy and this one careens along for 1:39 feeling like a fast car gunning for the nearest cliff.   It is a fun ride in my opinion and a new album from these guys is hopefully out there somewhere…close.  

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Musicians on this: Brandon Blaine (vocals), Luke Perine (drums, percussion), Henri Cash (guitar), Michael Perez (bass) 

You can check this one now on your usual steaming platforms.

And if you have 45 minutes to watch come concert video…check out this great set from 2025!

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://www.instagram.com/plaguevendor

https://plaguevendor.com/

https://plaguelyfe.bandcamp.com/track/rumble

Prior review links 

Song Review- Plague Vendor “Run”

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂  

Song Review- Belvedere – Crimson from the upcoming album Seven Years of Bad Luck

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Four casually dressed men stand in front of a tall fence and a wall with colorful graffiti.

Photo by Dominic Gendron, album artwork by Seb Theriault (SterioDesign) 

This great band from Calgary (Alberta – Canada!) goes way back to the mid 90’s although I did not pick up on anything from them until either 2016 or 2017.  This would have been their album The Revenge of the Fifth which was released in early 2016 and first heard by me on a now defunct Internet radio station.  Several songs from that album (“Years,” “Red Pawn’s Race” and the tittle track) still remain in various rotations and playlists for me to this day.   Getting the heads up that this single dropped on April 21st and that a new album will follow was definitely good news.  

This track has a nice loud start before dropping into a strong vocal offset by a sharp drum line.   Throughout the song you get a healthy dose of buzzy guitars and an aggressive bass that has a few prominent moments all to itself.  Belvedere’s sound is a little more refined than prior releases but they give up nothing in regard to energy and maintain the sense of a real driving purpose behind the music.  This is a really great melodic punk song and the full album will be released on June 19th via Thousand Islands Records.  

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Musicians on this are:  Casey Lewis (drums, vocals), Dan Wollach (guitar, vocals). Steven Rawles (vocals, guitar) and Ryan Mumby (bass, vocals).

Streaming and pre-order here! 

https://bfan.link/belvedere-crimson

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://belvederepunkrock.com/

https://www.instagram.com/belvederebandofficial

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂 

Song Review- Gottlieb – “I Started Carrying a Knife Today” from the upcoming album The Far Fallen Fruit

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Four casually dressed men stand under a bridge.

Band photo by Alex Webster

Although I had heard a few bits and pieces of info about this band prior to getting the chance to preview this single (thanks to Mike Cubillos at Earshot Media) I had not given their music much extended listening time.  The one prior release I had spun a few times was “Sidewalk” (2024) and that was a pretty dense song, both in tone and message…good but heavy.  

Gottlieb is known as a political band but this new track definitely is a personal one with a deep message centered quite literally on the song title.   Although the music starts off with a little bit of a peppy bounce it is quickly covered by some tense, tight guitar playing and a thundering rhythm section.  Accompanied by an urgent and angry vocal this song is tempestuous as hell, a 2:27 minute release of coiled energy.   

The full album is set for a May 1st drop via Quite Panic.

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Streaming link:

https://orcd.co/istartedcarryingaknifetoday

Pre-order some limited edition vinyl right here:

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://www.instagram.com/gottlieb_punk/

https://gottlieblosangeles.bandcamp.com/

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂

Album Review- Ultrabomb – The Bridges That We Burn

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Three casually dressed men stand looking toward the viewer. They appear to be happy.

Band photo by Greg Norton

I was definitely super excited when I got the chance to preview this album, especially as the bands that the musicians here have been associated with (Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum and Social Distortion among others) are integral parts of the sprawling soundtrack of my life.  Outside of their work with those groups I have also followed and been a fan of their other projects and seeing them all together on this Ultrabomb release is basically epic in my opinion.   

The lead-off track here (“Darwin Awards”) is a real powerhouse that comes in on blazing guitars and is soon joined by an energetic vocal.  This one runs on full power all the way through to the end.   The next song “Divert / Deflect” picks up on a nice, heavy drum line, something you can feel coming right through your speakers.  A punchy guitar riff carries along with it from there and combines with a chanting vocal to give a protest anthem vibe.   “Artificial Stars” is next (prior posted review here) and then you dive into an amazing wave of bass on “Zombie Zeroes.”  That texture lays a great foundation for a spirited, run-around the stage kind of musical composition…I bet it plays great at a live show.   

My favorite is up next (“No Cap”) and I have to say I had a whole flashback experience every time I played it.  There are distinct parts to the song’s arrangement and for me they were a kind of perfect kaleidoscope of the sounds and energy of the 1980’s punk / alternative scene, especially in the Twin Cities area.  I will just leave it at…this one is awesome. 

The number six track on this album is “Sicko Rants” and it is a pop-punk rocker all the way through; from melodic guitar lines to jumpy drums and a sassy vocal performance.   Following along after is “Checked Out” which starts on an urgent, demanding rhythm sound interlaced around a cascading guitar riff.  While that driving force remains in place throughout the song, there is a nice counterpoint provided by a more mellow vocal track on the verses.  There is also an excellent, multi-part bridge that runs from 1:45 – 2:33.  “Looking Forward In Anger” (very cool bass in this one also) is followed by “BSS” which has a heavy groove and a conversational-style vocal until the chorus.  At that point it switches into a brief but wild breakdown with all instruments at max power.  This one is indeed about BS and it is not happy about it at all. 

The final two selections are “Last Time” (a swinging punk tune and standby for the cool guitar solo at the 2:00 mark) and “Mosquito Crucifixion.”  This last song comes out of the gate fast and loud with a tight, well-played instrument combo.  It is nothing less than a triumphant sound explosion to cap off a very strong set of eleven tracks.  

Overall The Bridges That We Burn is an excellent album from these accomplished musicians.  They have an innate sense of how to craft powerful, interesting music that stays mostly in the punk lane but has some extra depth and a few nice side-steps along the way.   Picking up a copy of this one is highly recommended!  It is out May 1st via DC-Jam Records / Virgin Music Group.

Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list: 

Musicians on this are:  Greg Norton (bass, backing vocals), Derek O’Brien (drums, backing vocals) and Ryan Smith (lead vocals, guitar)

You can check out the “No Cap” video here:

Please let me know your opinion in the comment section below

Interested in more info on this Artist?

https://linktr.ee/ultrabomb

Prior review links 

Release Alert! Ultrabomb – “Artificial Stars” off the upcoming album The Bridges That We Burn

Just a few ideas if you have the time:  purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂