Writing about things that do and don't exist
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### The Roundlakes - Donkey's Tail The first product of a musical collaboration stretching across the Atlantic from Pittsburgh to England, this one bounces leisurely along like an errant super ball, with fried, slurred vocals and ambivalent chord changes combining to … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 07.29.22
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### Balloon Ride Fantasy - Wild Dream Big, chunky synth journey into a fantastical realm filled with carnal desires and pleasures. Resembles a Com Truise track whose lyrics have been subcontracted to the always-visceral Purity Ring. More from Balloon Ride Fantasy … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 07.22.22
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### Rex Tycoon - Bad Habits Woolly mope-rock whose guitars seem to jangle just a bit out of tune, an apt sonic backdrop for lyrics that bemoan a litany of self-defeating practices (mumbling, smoking, procrastinating, jealousy, leaving dishes in the sink) … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 07.15.22
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### VO2K - A Different Me Concise, off-kilter hip-hop--built around a carefree horn sample and a stumbling drum pattern--featuring easy flows that outline a life spent striving outside the context of the rat race. Video by The Reel Cousins. More from … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 07.08.22
A few (belated) words about a few local tracks that hit the spot last week ### JAXYN - Can't Wait 'Til Dawn (demo) Ron Mist-produced dance floor angst that features searing, electrified vocals backed by drum-circle percussion, dramatic synth stabs, and that blipping sound from "Clumsy." A taste of JAXYN's MOTH LP, coming later this … Continue reading Weekly Wrap Up 06.27.22
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### Reliable Child - Wasted Time Swooning romance rocker that contains enough twang to evoke images of firefly-lit slow dances on dusty dirt roads, but not enough twang to destroy Heinz Field's parking lot. So, just the right amount of twang. … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 06.17.22
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### Natalie Rogers - Full Body Displaying an impressive amount of polish for a self-recorded, self-produced quarantine project, this ode to thick, bushy facial hair contains funky guitar stabs, agile vocal runs, and plenty of tasty slap bass. More from Natalie … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 06.10.22
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week (a day early, since I will be wandering around Chicago tomorrow) ### The Chad Sipes Stereo - Thoughts and Prayers Veteran rock quartet's new album examines a country sick with all sorts of maladies that are medicated with all sorts of … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 05.12.22
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### Tough Cuffs - It Got Colder Title track from noise punks' new release is a perfect representation of the album itself: grander, more spacious, and (somehow) even more furious than last year's Wasted Pleasure. Droning guitars creep and roar, bass … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 05.06.22
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### Sommelier - Alt Weakly A sinister waltz that sounds like Muse performing a Danny Elfman-penned Off-Broadway musical centering on a struggling lounge singer hellbent on vengeance against those who have overlooked him. More from Sommelier Follow on Instagram and Facebook … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 04.29.22
Bored In Pittsburgh 