Ah, the sophomore outing. What more vexing way of testing an artist’s mettle than seeing if they can replicate the magic of their debut, while not leaning on the former so much that they trend formulaic? It’s a difficult balancing act, and many have gone to the guillotine for their inability to pull it off….
Month: August 2018
Review: Papa M – “A Broke Moon Rises”
Talk about a phoenix rising from the ashes of it all, am I right? Consummate post-rock guitarist David Pajo returns to excellent form on A Broke Moon Rises, a new five-song mini-LP released a few days ago via Drag City. The record comes less than two years after Highway Songs, a confusing mish-mash of odds…
Review: Mark Deutrom – “Brief Sensuality & Western Violence” (Reissue)
In the age of Trump, we are consumed with allegations of Fake News, the painting of journalists as enemies of the American people, and online jingoism taking the place of studied reportage. Remember when it was all just about CNN or the nightly news grabbing the 15-second soundbyte and running with it? Well, Mark Deutrom…
Review: T-Tops – “Disease” EP
Talk about a punch to the gut. Something is roiling in Pittsburgh and the punk trio T-Tops is most definitely tapped into it. The group’s new EP — Disease, out now on Bandcamp — is a blistering, four-song set, with a rhythm section that pounds itself into your ear-drums and a frontman (guitarist/vocalist Patrick Waters)…