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REVIEW : The Constellation Branch - Mirage EP
If you are looking for an album that will make you feel something, check out the latest from unsigned rock band The Constellation Branch. Mirage is complex, melodic, spacey, and deep.
Author: Eric Pettersson
October 2, 2010
September 1, 2010
REVIEW : Rodeo Ruby Love - This Is Why We Don't Have Nice Things
Without losing the emotional depth of the past decade, Rodeo Ruby Love brings back the fun of the decade before that (90's). The intrinsic paradox is the genius of this record, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is where music is going for the next ten years.
June 2, 2010
REVIEW : Beloved (US) - Failure On (VINYL)
It will remain one of the great tragedies of our market that Beloved was only able to record one album with Solid State before disbanding. Forget talk about potential. They reach near perfection on this 2003 debut.
April 13, 2010
REVIEW : Zao - Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest (VINYL)
Zao's 1998 classic album sounds better than ever--a refreshing change from the overly-heavy or emo-infused metalcore bands of today.
April 9, 2010
REVIEW : Further Seems Forever - How to Start a Fire (VINYL)
Originally released on CD by Tooth & Nail Records in 2003, this album was a surprising but good first choice for Broken Circles to begin reissuing what we consider the classics. Listening on vinyl really brings out those definitive FSF guitar tones.
April 5, 2010
REVIEW : Concert Review: Manchester Orchestra, The Features
Manchester Orchestra tore up the stage with non-stop rock and roll. Arguably the best tour I've caught so far in 2010.
February 18, 2010
REVIEW : A Wayward Heart - A Wayward Heart EP
A Wayward Heart bring back that thing a lot of us used to call “emo” before the word came to mean something else. I’m talking Spill Canvas, Early November, and The Evan Anthem, especially their acoustic songs. A fine start for a young band.
February 9, 2010
REVIEW : Destroy Nate Allen - Perfect Recipe for a Smile
Destroy Nate Allen show a ton of potential on this album, but it is only fully realized on “Loving You” and “White Flag.” Yet when they hit it on these tracks, their acoustic sound rocks as hard as any punk band.
January 7, 2010
REVIEW : Besides Daniel - The Clay, the Seed, the Stone
Light, acoustic indie-folk for fans of Damien Rice, Andrew Bird, or Iron & Wine.
December 30, 2009
REVIEW : Josh Wilson - Life Is Not a Snapshot
Josh Wilson has crafted a worthy follow-up to last year's debut. With the exception of "Sing," his songs continue to rise to the top of the CCM genre, both musically and lyrically.
December 17, 2009
REVIEW : Frank Schweikhardt - Life But No More
Frank Schweikhardt fits perfectly on the XRA roster, bringing a slow and minimalist acoustic sound that melds perfectly with his soft baritone. It’s like a stripped down Iron & Wine and a solo Husband&Wife mixed with a non-Cynical David Bazan.
November 18, 2009
INTERVIEW : We Shot the Moon
An email interview with Jonathan Jones, lead singer, songwriter, and guitar player in We Shot the Moon.… Continued →
November 6, 2009
INTERVIEW : Mae
An interview with Mae about this year's ambitious EP trilogy, the band's faith and charity work, and how they're getting along in today's turbulent music industry.
September 22, 2009
REVIEW : Derek Webb - Stockholm Syndrome
Derek Webb's latest offering is a huge departure musically, playing with drum and bass, electro-pop, and other modern dancey sounds. His message is as strong as ever, looking at those who are so used to captivity they are afraid to live any other way.
September 18, 2009
INTERVIEW : Hundred Year Storm
Email interview with Hundred Year Storm, who released The Future Belongs to the Brave on June 9, 2009, through Doll House Recordings.
September 9, 2009
INTERVIEW : Abandon Kansas
An email interview with Abandon Kansas about their Gotee Records debut, the "We're All Going Somewhere" EP.
September 5, 2009
REVIEW : Anchor & Braille - Felt
Taking a break from Anberlin, Stephen Christian has penned an album that explores the softer side of his musical creativity and a more introspective side to his lyrical poeticism.
August 28, 2009
REVIEW : Thrice - Beggars
After four EPs of musical deconstruction, Thrice has finally put its sound back together with added depth and maturity.
August 25, 2009
REVIEW : Metavari - Be One of Us and Hear No Noise
Instrumental post-rock from Indiana. Metavari makes the listener a part of the musical experience; a participant, not just an observer.
June 25, 2009
REVIEW : Lanae' Hale - Back & Forth
Female pop artists tend to have a bad reputation as writing cheesy and shallow music that has more to do with commercialism than genuine artistic expression. Then there’s Lanae’ Hale. This twenty-six year old singer/songwriter brings back the depth and sincerity of artists like Sixpence None the Richer or Nichole Nordeman. Back & Forth, her full-length debut on Centricity Records, is already an obvious pick as one of the top releases from the CCM world in 2009.
June 1, 2009
REVIEW : O' Brother - The Death of Day
O’ Brother’s The Death of Day is an album that digs deeper than the average. The music rocks in an intricately-crafted way, and the lyrics are the poetry that develops out of looking for God while living in a world full of darkness.
REVIEW : Alexander the Great - Faces Change
Alexander the Great move forward like their namesake, taking more ground than expected and showing acute skill and maturity in their delivery of these 12 indie rock tunes.
April 9, 2009
INTERVIEW : Brave Saint Saturn
An email interview with Reese Roper, current lead singer of Brave Saint Saturn and former frontman for Five Iron Frenzy and, briefly, Roper.
March 27, 2009
REVIEW : Delirious? - My Soul Sings DVD/CD
While the live DVD isn’t the best I’ve seen even within the CCM world, it does help show a fantastic performance from Delirious. The music here and on the CD is a step above most of their contemporaries, especially in the faltering worship genre, and the band’s insistence on a faith that is lived out and not just talked about couldn’t be more needed in the Church today.
February 21, 2009
REVIEW : Auburn - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
A great debut with tons of energy, for fans of Every Time I Die, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, or August Burns Red.
February 19, 2009
REVIEW : Flashlight Party - Wreaths_
An eerie new EP from Flashlight Party, a minimalist synth pop band on Plastiq Musiq.
February 6, 2009
REVIEW : Grits - Reiterate
It's still the same old Grits, but with fresh ideas and a new direction.
January 31, 2009
REVIEW : Various Artists - CompassionArt
A mega collaboration of some of Christian music's biggest names, all for the sake of giving to the poorest of the poor.
January 25, 2009
REVIEW : Fiction Family - Fiction Family
Artist: Fiction Family
Album: Fiction Family
Label: ATO Records/ Credential Recordings
Release Date: January 20, 2009
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. When She’s Near
2. Out of Order
3. Not Sure
4. Betrayal
5. Elements Combined
6. War in My Blood
7. Throw It Away
8. Closer than You Think
9. Please Don’t Call It Love
10. Mostly Prove Me Wrong
11. We Ride
12. Look for My Baby
Jon Foreman is a busy guy. His main band, Switchfoot, has been seeing significant mainstream rock success since they released “The Beautiful Letdown” in 2005.… Continued →
January 21, 2009
REVIEW : Andrew Hedlin - Downstairs
Artist: Andrew Hedlin
Album: Downstairs
Label: None (released independently)
Release Date: August 23, 2008
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. What’s a Song?
2. Comin’ Back
3. Subway
4. Marigold Street
5. Count on Me
6. Anchor Me
7. Winter Vacation
8. 40,000 Brothers
9. Sunlight
Hailing from Manitoba, Canada, singer-songwriter Andrew Hedlin seems to be a man of wide experiences. Acoustic songs like “Subway” and “Marigold Street” sound like the life of any of us, talking with old friends and dealing with stress, but “Comin’ Back” picks up the pace with a clean electric guitar and catchy chorus about traveling all over the world.… Continued →