Schoolboy Q Oxymoron ???? Rap From the very beginning of his new album, ScHoolboy Q lets you know who he is: a gangsta. Oxymoron, the second album from the L.A. rapper, is a modern reincarnation of West Coast street rap.
Tycho Awake ???1/2 Electronic By successfully blending dreamy melodies and synthetic soundscapes, Tycho, also known as Scott Hansen, has revamped a genre that can easily become hip elevator music.
Future Islands Singles ????1/2 Synth pop
Lavender Country Lavender Country ???? Country A little over 40 years have passed since the release of the debut self-titled record from Lavender Country, widely considered to be the first openly gay country album. Now comes the reissue, and the record ably stands the test of time with humorous lyrics, honest emotion and varied instrumentation.
Liars Mess ???1/2 Electronic rock Liars’ Mess is a complete change of pace from its last album, WIXIW, which the band produced only two years ago. The tracks on the new record are much longer, more agitated and more intense.
Dive assistant editor Chris Powers is stationed down South in Austin, Texas for the 2014 South By Southwest Music Festival, Follow his travels here on the Dive blog.
Dive assistant editor Chris Powers is stationed down South in Austin, Texas for the 2014 South By Southwest Music Festival, Follow his travels here on the Dive blog.
Dive assistant editor Chris Powers is stationed down South in Austin, Texas for the 2014 South By Southwest Music Festival, Follow his travels here on the Dive blog.
At a July 4th show in 2009, Goodbye, Titan closed its set with an astounding, rock-inspired version of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” It was in that moment that Corbie Hill, who organized the unnamed show, got the idea for what to call it. “I was trying to think of some clever name and ‘Let Feedback Ring’ just came to me,” Hill said.
Embracing the hustle and bustle of South by Southwest On the short drive from Chapel Hill to Raleigh last September en route to the 2013 Hopscotch Music Festival, an exciting yet startling thought crossed my mind: I was preparing to jump on to a moving train.
Ex Hex is a new rock trio that will its debut album later this year. The band’s seven-inch single, “Hot and Cold,” will be released on March 18 on Merge Records. Dive staff writer Stephanie Zimmerman spoke with bandleader Mary Timothy about the band, some of its visual aesthetics and her own musical background.
Skaters Manhattan ??? Rock Skaters’ Manhattan chronicles life in New York City as it transports listeners to the city by mixing natural city-scape sounds with low-tone vocals and garage pop riffs. Manhattan’s sound, although varied and at times confusing, mirrors NYC’s chaotic nature.
Bad Things Bad Things ? Pop rock Shaun White made an album. Yes, Shaun White, the snowboarder. The two-time Olympic gold medalist-turned-guitarist and four others, including former Augustana member Jarod Palomar released a self-titled album in January under the moniker Bad Things.
St. Vincent St. Vincent ????1/2 Rock Annie Clark, better known as St. Vincent, has combined her electric rock roots with a multitude of other influences to create an album with a remarkably distinct sound.
Gardens & Villa Dunes ???? Pop rock It’s been three years since the promising debut album of the pop rock band Gardens & Villa. With its latest Dunes, the group has crafted a similarly pleasing and bouncy record that remains consistently catchy and enjoyable.
Non-Stop ???1/2 The trailer for Liam Neeson’s newest action movie, “Non-Stop,” is misleading. A gruff-voiced Neeson, ominous text overlays and quick cuts of punches, gunfire and explosions presumably foretell “Taken” on a plane. But “Non-Stop” does its best — with reasonable success — to break out of that mold.
Son of God ??? Jesus Christ is the son of God. That’s what “Son of God” aims to convey to audiences everywhere. Its goal is to tell the story of the famous, consistently debated, essential historical figure.
In Secret ??? “In Secret” is a 19th century period drama that unearths the complexities of overwhelming desire and strict societal duty.
In music, change is a double-edged sword. On one hand, evolution is necessary. In order to stay relevant, artists must constantly refine and alter their sound to offer something fresh and current to their audience.
