Category Archives: Uncategorized

Song Review- Useless ID “Too Late To Start Over” from the album No Vacation From the World 

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When I heard that this classic (and great!) 2003 album from UID was being re-released I knew it was going to be a good day.  Note that you can get this gem on yellow vinyl & CD via Bandcamp (link below) or other outlets.  My first exposure to them came through their  association with the late great Tony Sly as he was involved in this album and I picked up on that from some article in some magazine I was reading at the time.   This is one of those “CD’s that got away” from me in my moving around and I had never gotten around to replacing it.  I believe on that original release the 15th track was un-credited on the song listing for the CD?…somebody correct me if I am off on that – here it is titled “Talk” but still has info I cannot compute as I do not speak the language.   

I originally was going to review “Same Story Someone New” for this post as it really gives me those SoCal punk / alt-rock vibes that I like so much.   In the end though I picked “Too Late To Start Over” as it really has some power and a notable composition.  This song delivers a nice punch right away off a loud drum intro and soaring guitar riffs.  It drives along at a good pace (with a vocal track slightly obscured by the instruments) until the 1:25 mark, when it ascends to a remarkable and different place that lasts the remainder of the song and has it all: squealing  guitars, booming drums, punchy bass line and an arrangement that manages to  be chaos and composed all at the same time.  I did not remember this track being so good…but it has been a long time.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://uselessid.bandcamp.com

Locals – we all need each other – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- J.D.Short “You Been Cheating Me” from the album Blues from the Mississippi Delta

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It is always a good idea to regularly take a step back and review music from long ago.  That can be via albums like this one (which also features Son House) that have music I greatly enjoy or even those that may feature genres or artists that are not in your usual wheelhouse.  In some way, directly or indirectly, all of those old sounds influence our current artists.   This album, as described on the Bandcamp page where it is featured, is “an early endeavor at celebrating the Delta blues as a genre, history, and chronicle of Black experience in the American south.”  There are some fascinating songs (and other hidden info) among the 12 tracks that definitely make this a valuable collection.  

This track stuck with me for a few days after hearing it which made it an easy pick for my favorite on the album.   The recording opens on a warbling harmonica and some nice acoustic strings and has that stripped down, authentic sound throughout that puts you right there with the musicians (even though this was way back in 1963).  As with all original blues the authenticity and emotions here are real and right on the surface.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://sonhouseandjdshort.bandcamp.com/album/blues-from-the-mississippi-delta

You and your locals need each other so please support them – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Midnight Peg – “Thirstland” from the album Skinning

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This single is an early release from the upcoming album.  

So, before you push play on this just be aware – you are about to be blown away!  This experience kind of reminded me of the time I was chilling out at the bar, awaiting GBH to take the stage later, when Niice walked out and slammed into my mentality.  That was a damn good moment and this track has that same vibe and energy.  

A hot opening guitar riff here, a nice little 10 seconds of space and then the vocals from Mann (nicely supported at some points by call backs from Neilson) drop in to set a fiery tone for the remainder.   The fast pace set down by a deep bass line and thundering drums is nicely played against by guitars on high distortion.  Yes it is loud and in your face…and awesome!

This should be out there to check out on all of your usual streaming places.   

Remember to support your local bands – community is powerful! 

Release Alert! The Dreadnoughts – “Polka Pit”

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It was great to hear about this single release and to get the news at the same time that there will be  a new album out in September this year (on Punkerton Records).  The Dreadnoughts always bring the energy and usually makes me want to jump right back into the pit.  This song brings a bouncy beat and kicks along for 4 fun minutes…polka and punk always!

Once you check it on your usual places you can get a vinyl pre-order in here…grow the collection 🙂 

https://punkertonrecords.com/products/the-dreadnoughts-polka-pit-vinyl

Song Review- Burnt Tapes – “You Only YOLO Once” from the album New Lungs

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I just read a press release about this second single coming out from the Burnt Tapes upcoming album and knew I had to jump on and take a listen.  The first time I ever heard this band was back around 2020 on the song “Drift Champ ’16” off Never Better.   That track has made its rounds through several of my playlists over the years not just for the music but for some poignant lyrics…”Load a car with cardboard boxes, They’re all empty anyway,” being one among many.  

This new single has a nice drum & bass boomer start with a few bars of simple guitar melody before it gets a little rowdy.  A strong and angry vocal performance drives this one all the way through (and with a bit of an unusual throwback reference to “Drift Champ ’16” as both lyrics reference broken teeth…random I know).  There is a nice down-stepped bridge in there also – it provides a nice transition to the last part of this track.  

This is a powerful release from a seasoned and vibrant band – worth a listen for sure!   Steaming in all your usual places and you can also check it out here:

Keep an eye out for this full album to be released on Wiretap Records / Lockjaw Records and Nasty Cut Records.  

Keep your locals in mind for some support also – community is powerful!  

Song Review- Two Harbors “What You’re On About” from the album Can’t Shake This Dream

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This album dropped on May 9th but it took me a little bit to get around to listening to the full set.  Two Harbors has been a force in the Twin Cities music scene going back quite a ways.  They worked with Ed Ackerson for multiple albums on Susstone and this album is dedicated to his memory and legacy.  

This one has a bit of a sonic vibe right from the start, with a swinging rhythm  and some atmosphere on the guitars.   It manages to be mellow and loud at the same time with nice guitar bridges and a quite prominent tight snare chopping along all the way through.  The abrupt ending is perfect.  

Overall, this album is very consistent and does not have a bad track on it.  Two Harbors also have a nice back catalog if you feel like checking it out – two recommendations would be their 2009 release All The Places We Would Rather Be and The Natural Order of Things from 2014.

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://twoharbors.bandcamp.com/

Community is powerful – you know this 🙂 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Sledges – “Fading”

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You know, sometimes when I hear a band tagged as “shoe gaze” I wonder what I am going to get as that genre tends to span a rather wide range these days.  After reading through the press release from Earshot Media on this one I checked it out and was impressed.  

There is a dreamy start to this song which lasts about twenty seconds before punching up to nice guitars and drums with volume and attitude accompanied by strong vocals.  The arrangement on this one sets an interesting pace, alternating fast / loud with slow / subdued that gives it a unique tone.  You would be hard pressed to pigeonhole this track into a genre and that is a good thing.  

Sledges have an EP coming in June also (unnamed as far as I know) that will include this single.  I am  looking forward to listening to that and seeing if they maintain this creative mix across those other tracks.  

Video here to review if you wish 🙂 

As always – just a reminder to support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- Fan Club “Ain’t No Saint” from the album Ain’t No Saint

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So, I had never heard of this group (including in their former LYSOL incarnation) until this EP showed up in my Bandcamp feed.   I checked it out and was impressed with the energy and edge present in every track.  There is a raw and boisterous vibe running throughout that gets you kicking for sure.  

The title track also leads off the EP and crashes in drums first and then guitars which stays present throughout most of the song with a few low key drop-outs along the way.  The vocals are strong but a little under the music – it actually works well though.  A crisp 1:34 for this track is all it needs to get it done.  

I found this entire album to be one of those that you cue up in the “energy and mayhem” playlist…you know…the one you like to play really loud with the vehicle windows rolled down!   You can get their 2015 Demo release (as LYSOL) on Bandcamp also – there is plenty of chaos going on there to enjoy.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://officialfanclubfanclub.bandcamp.com/

Remember to support your local people – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Ben Basile – “Mountain Road” from the album Benergy

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From the good people at Sleep Walk Sounds (an imprint of Wiretap Records) we get this new release which just dropped in the last week and definitely lives up to the positive reviews that are already out there.   One quick side note as this album claims to (and achieves) a nice blend of ska, reggae and rocksteady:  If you ever want to get into a fascinating discussion with some of your music loving friends, start talking about the differences, similarities, foundations, etc of these three genres.  This also makes a great research and learning project for yourself, a journey I went on several years ago and am still chasing around.  Since I find myself more of a ska fan I started with Ska: An Oral History by Heather Augustyn but there is a lot of other info out there about all of these styles of music.  End of random learning suggestion….onto “Mountain Road” which ended up being the track I liked the best on Benergy.

This song has good vibes and happiness running through it and just gets you in a positive frame of mind…it is going to all be good.   The bass line here is definitely on the reggae side of things but there is a nice blending in of tempo on keys that takes it in other directions.  It swings and booms along nicely throughout and then fades off into the sunset. 

For a totally different experience (and I mean that in a good way) also check out “Hot Drop” off this album.  It may soon replace “Mountain Road” as my fav.  

You can pick up the vinyl here:

https://sleepwalksounds.limitedrun.com/

Also available on your streaming platforms…and please think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

Take time to be a good neighbor…community is powerful!

Song Review- Nick Leet “Edge of Town” from the album Detours

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Ok, so I know that I mentioned High on Stress in my last review (of the Gentlemen Rogues single “Half Empty, Half Fool) but I swear this follow-up on the HOS front man’s release is a coincidence.  

This song of course has a bit of the HOS vibe with Leet on the vocals but it has its own personality.  There is a slow, melodic pacing right from the start with a nice clear acoustic guitar guiding the way.  Andrew Hyda (of Billy Pilgrim and Smokin’ Novas among other projects) lends some nice ebow magic along the way.   Overall, a nice, straight-forward track that makes for good listening. 

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page /highonstressmpls.bandcamp.com

As always, give some support to your locals as they need you and community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…