Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Rock
Clutch - Earth Rocker

Clutch - Earth Rocker

Clutch
Earth Rocker
Label: Weathermaker Music

Ten albums in, and they are still hot as fuck! Self-admittedly wrought with more forethought, focus, and polish than some of their prior releases, Earth Rocker will knock your socks off. Their hard-rockin’ antics and usual sardonic lyrics have never sounded better.

Clutch WebsiteClutch FacebookClutch Wiki

Suicidal Tendencies - Thirteen (13)

Suicidal Tendencies - Thirteen (13)

Suicidal Tendencies
Thirteen (13)
Label: Suicidal Records

Wow! Mike Muir is still making music! After a 13 year haitus, ST comes back with a heavy-hitting album filled with what they are known for: blistering. thrashing punk with some great funky interludes filled with the irascible wit and wisdom of Mike Muir. 

Suicidal Tendencies WebsiteSuicidal Tendencies FacebookSuicidal Tendencies Wiki

Beefus - The Itching Below

Beefus - The Itching Below

Beefus
The Itching Below
Label: Ys Records

Madison’s musical mad scientists are back with more fractured, nonlinear globular grooves fitted with fantastic farcical lyrics and warbled vocals. Disturbed, depraved, and outrageous musical experiments of the most uncouth kind. And at all times, watch out for that itch.. 

Beefus WebsiteBeefus Facebook

Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine - White People and the Damage Done

Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine - White People and the Damage Done

Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine
White People and the Damage Done
Label: Alternative Tentacles

Seeing Iggy Pop perform with the Stooges for his 60th birthday inspired the legendary Jello Biafra to start a new band, and hence, this project was born. Overall, it sounds a LOT like Dead Kennedys, more so than any of his other side projects, but still offers a few surprises. Acerbic wit, trademark caterwauling vocals, raucous riffage and provocative topics are yours for the taking. 

Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine FacebookJello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine Wiki

ASG - Blood Drive

ASG - Blood Drive

ASG
Blood Drive
Label: Relapse

Somewhere between the vocality and alt pop of Jane’s Addiction and the infectious sludge metal of Baroness is where ASG (Amplification of Self Gratification) find their strongest footings. This mega-riffing North Carolina crew knows how to pour on the body-waving grooves and mate them with melodic vocals to scorch your lobes.

ASG FacebookASG Wiki

Valient Thorr - Our Own Masters

Valient Thorr - Our Own Masters

Valient Thorr
Our Own Masters
Label: Volcom Entertainment

Balls-to-the-wall slip sliding stoner sludge metal from North Carolina has never sounded so good! Pulsing and pounding riffs and rhythms spiral and surge, blistering with unvarnished intensity and brilliance. Grab hold! 

Valient Thorr WebsiteValient Thorr FacebookValient Thorr Wiki

Mire - Inward/Outward

Mire - Inward/Outward

Mire
Inward/Outward
Label: self-published

Touted as being the heir apparent to the long vacant TOOL throne of progressive rock, Montreal’s Mire provide a convincing display of aptitude, depth and prowess, while sounding a LOT like TOOL. These complex compositions with delicate dynamics captured my attention from first listen and continue to provide satisfaction as more layers unfold.

Mire WebsiteMire Facebook

Beat Fatigue - Malfunktionality Part One

Beat Fatigue - Malfunktionality Part One

Beat Fatigue
Malfunktionality Part One
Label: Adapted Records

So many of my favorite things all rolled into one! Clever guitar jams are imbibed with funky bass lines and blues stamina while pushed out on the dance floor with groovy electronics. This Amsterdam based DJ, producer promises much more to come with Part 2!

Beat Fatigue Website

Lotus - Gilded Age

Lotus - Gilded Age

Lotus
Gilded Age
Label: Lotus Vibes Music LLC

Continuing to explore and develop new and old facets of their musical awareness, long time favorites Lotus give us a release focused on the original organic instruments: drum, bass, guitar, piano and percussion. Combined with the fact they recorded it live to analog tape means the sound is very front and center for the listener. Guest vocalist Steve Yutzy-Burkey is featured on this first of three tracks on the album, which also gives the release a fulfillment of another kind. The Gilded Age proves once again that the ethereal ambiance that Lotus is known for will continue unabated.

Lotus WebsiteLotus FacebookLotus Wiki

Dopapod - Never Odd or Even

Dopapod - Never Odd or Even

Dopapod
Never Odd or Even
Label: self-published

Album number 4 finds our palindrome heroes tighter, broader, more defined, and roaring with exuberant new material. Strong jams and great breakdowns are the highlights that propel this swiftly flowing funky rock with electronic embellishments and melodic grooves to new frontiers and expectations.

Dopapod WebsiteDopapod Facebook

Nahko and Medicine for the People - Hoka

Nahko and Medicine for the People - Hoka

Nahko and Medicine for the People
Hoka
Label: SideOneDummy Records

Destined to be the soundtrack of my summer, this landmark 19 track musical journey wrangles numerous genres and approaches to produce a stunning selection of anthems, ballads, raps, and invocations, that are highlighted with deep emotions, intense trauma, extreme sensitivity, Native American chants, and “radical” heartfelt ideals that Nahko and crew have forged into one of the strongest releases in recent memory. By adding trumpet and violin to the lineup, MFTP have jumped to a new level of attainability and tonal dynamics.

Nahko and Medicine for the People WebsiteNahko and Medicine for the People FacebookNahko and Medicine for the People Wiki

Helmet - Dead To The World

Helmet - Dead To The World

Helmet
Dead To The World
Label: earMusic

Helmet’s 8th studio album and their first in 7 years finds scene influencing band leader Page Hamilton and crew delivering fuzzy warm hypnotic riffs through a surprising variety of styles and approaches, while still managing to weave in signature counter-intuitive rhythmic approaches and combinations. Some of these experiments work better than others, but overall manage to deliver a solid release. How does this play out live? Find out on 12/15 at High Noon Saloon in Madison when they appear with openers Local H.

Helmet WebsiteHelmet FacebookHelmet Wiki

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