Recent Reviews
Daylight – Jar 
Sound City – Real to Reel 
Yellow Red Sparks – Yellow Red Sparks 
Matt Zimmerman — Favorite Music of 2012 
Circa Survive: Violent Waves 
Yellowcard – Southern Air 
Hot Water Music – Exister 
You Blew It! – Grow Up, Dude 
The Forecast – Everybody Left 
SHARKS – No Gods Recent Posts
- The Wonder Years Album Stream4:04pm on May 9, 2013
- Slingshot Dakota Announces Tour Dates9:09pm on April 30, 2013
- The Hood Internet Release The Mixtape Volume Seven9:09pm on April 30, 2013
- The Boxer Rebellion Album Now Streaming9:09pm on April 30, 2013
- HALOS Return with EP2:02pm on April 23, 2013
- Owen Sets Release Date and Puts Out New Song8:08pm on April 11, 2013
- Front Bottoms Album Pre-Order and Music Video2:02am on April 9, 2013
- Fall Out Boy Stream New Album2:02pm on April 8, 2013
- Get Involved with Get Involved4:04pm on April 5, 2013
- Weekend Release New Single Mirror9:09pm on April 4, 2013
Recent Blogs
- Active Child: Hi-Dive in Denver8:08pm on September 19, 2011
- The Times are Changing6:06pm on September 13, 2011
- The Chain Gang of 1974: Bluebird Theatre9:09pm on September 12, 2011
- Thoughts On The Final Rx Bandits Tour3:03am on April 22, 2011
- Show Review: Jimmy Eat World, We Were Promised Jetpacks4:04am on October 4, 2010
Reviews on The Music, The Message
The Music, The Message album reviews, written by a considerably experienced staff, are free of pride and prejudice. Honest, thoughtful listening, and the message to go with it: nothing more, nothing less.
Daylight – Jar
May 1, 2013 by Jason Gordon
After a series of EPs, Daylight have finally arrived with their long-awaited Run For Cover Records debut LP, Jar. Where their earlier work favored a grittier more upbeat melodic post hardcore feel akin to bands like Title Fight, Jar showcases a darker more refined 2013 take on 90s grunge and … read more.
Similar artists: Bush, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Quicksand, SeaweeedGenre: alternative rock, grunge, post-hardcoreTagged: 90s, alternative, grunge, run for cover records
Sound City – Real to Reel
March 5, 2013 by Dave Giumara
There is an appropriate feeling to the fact that Dave Grohl gathered together an uncanny amount of musicians for the soundtrack to this documentary. Sound City is less about the album and more about the documentary. Still, even the album as a standalone is a sign of the times of … read more.
Genre: alternative rock, rock
Yellow Red Sparks – Yellow Red Sparks
February 11, 2013 by Matt Zimmerman
Yellow Red Sparks released their debut, Self-Titled, full length with gentle elements of folk underwritten by gliding strings. The album is, at its heart, is a reminder that bare naked truth is still alive and well in music.
Tagged: Fleet Foxes, folk, Iron & Wine, Ray LaMontagne, rock, The Decemberists, Yellow Red Spark
Matt Zimmerman — Favorite Music of 2012
December 23, 2012 by Matt Zimmerman
I have abandoned the tag “best of…” because I hardly had a chance to listen to and evaluate EVERY piece of music released this year but nonetheless, here’s what I enjoyed this year… FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2012 Alt-J came on strong at the last second due to a tremendous push … read more.
Tagged: Alt-J, Bat for Lashes, Circa Survive, Crosses, Cut Teeth, Daniel Rossen, David Byrne, Deep Sea Diver, Deftones, Delta Spirit, Dirty Projectors, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Father John Misty, fun., Further Seems Forever, Gold Motel, Good Old War, Grizzly Bear, Handshakes, Jjuujjuu, mewithoutyou, Michael Kiwanuka, North Korea, O'Brother, Peace'd Out, Reubens Accomplice, Sam Means, St. Vincent, The Panic Division, The Shins
Circa Survive: Violent Waves
August 10, 2012 by Andrew Martin
With every other Circa Survive release, I waited anxiously, without fail, for a taste of the new music, my excitement growing exponentially until the album was finally playing in its entirety on my speakers. Irony struck with the sudden announcement, and also short wait I had with Violent Waves; the … read more.
Genre: epic, indie rock, post-hardcoreTagged: Anthony Green, classic, geoff rickley, throwback
Yellowcard – Southern Air
August 6, 2012 by Dave Giumara
As the pop-punk scene blew up in the start of the late 90’s/early 2000’s, most bands either fell out of the scene, tried to grow musically, or kept the same sound. Over the course of the past 10+ years Yellowcard has taken many hits and arguably had all three of … read more.
Genre: pop, pop rock, pop-punk
Hot Water Music – Exister
May 9, 2012 by Dave Giumara
Most of these “reunions” bands that have been coming back into the limelight seem to be reaching for two different types of ears. The first and foremost is that they want to capture new listeners and in order to do this, they ultimately try something different. The second is that … read more.
Similar artists: bad religion, hot water music, leatherface, rise against, the draftGenre: emo punk, post-emo, punk
You Blew It! – Grow Up, Dude
April 23, 2012 by Jason Gordon
You Blew It’s TopShelf Records Debut LP caught me by surprise, and is hopefully a record that will not get overlooked. I requested this record merely out of curiosity, without any expectations whatsoever. What I got was a sentimental throwback to late 90s twinkly emo with punk rock aesthetic, slightly … read more.
Similar artists: Algernon Cadwallader, Get Up Kids, Into It. Over It., TransitGenre: emo, emo punk, pop-punk
The Forecast – Everybody Left
April 13, 2012 by Jason Gordon
As car windows start rolling down in time for the change in seasons, The Forecast prepare to unleash their 4th LP, Everybody Left, on April 17th, and the timing couldn’t be better. Funded by a Kickstarter campaign, the band not only reached its goal of raising $8,000 in a short … read more.
Similar artists: Hey Mercedes, Jimmy Eat World, Motion City Soundtrack, The AnniversaryGenre: emo, indie rock, pop-punk
SHARKS – No Gods
March 20, 2012 by Dave Giumara
There was something very unique and special about British punk bands in the 80’s which made them relevant. It could have been the whole idea of anarchy and conformity being two distinct opposites, but the same thing could be said for punk music in general. We live in a new … read more.
Similar artists: Husker Du, Rancid, The Clash, the graduate, The Wonder YearsGenre: pop-punk, punk, rock
Good Old War – Come Back As Rain
March 14, 2012 by Matt Zimmerman
The trio of Good Old War expanded their repertoire of harmony-driven folk tunes in 2010 with their Self-Titled album using their debut Only Way to Be Alone as a reference point. As a fan, I gladly embraced the change with no if, ands, buts or laments. After all, it wasn’t … read more.
Similar artists: Band of Horses, Crosby Stills Nash, fleet foxes, Paul SimonTagged: folk, Good Old War, harmonies, rock, Sargent House
Deep Sea Diver – History Speaks
March 5, 2012 by Matt Zimmerman
Deep Sea Diver finally release their debut album HISTORY SPEAKS filled with raucous guitars (‘You Go Running’), ruminations on the world’s end (‘NWO’) and heart-breaking ballads (‘Tracks of the Green Line’).
Similar artists: Arcade Fire, Cat Power, St. Vincent, Talking Heads, Yeah Yeah YeahsTagged: Deep Sea Diver, indie, Jessica Dobson, rock, The Shins
Conversation w/ Deep Sea Diver
February 25, 2012 by Matt Zimmerman
The following conversation was conducted on Tuesday, January 31 with Jessica Dobson (vocals, guitar) of Deep Sea Diver/The Shins. ———————————— Since we talked last in 2010, there’s been a lot of change in your life both personally and professionally. Biggest, I suppose, is the move from California to Seattle, WA. … read more.
Similar artists: Arcade Fire, Nick Cave, St. Vincent, Talking Heads, Yeah Yeah YeahsTagged: Deep Sea Diver, indie, Jessica Dobson, rock, Seattle, The Shins
The Panic Division: Eternalism
January 31, 2012 by Andrew Martin
To call me a fan of The Panic Division would be a massive understatement. Whether it’s their loop-driven, aggressive pop anthems on debut “Versus” or the 80′s-influenced “Songs from the Glasshouse,” The Panic Division have a sound that’s accessibly refreshing. Colton Holliday is the songwriter and mastermind behind the Panic … read more.
Similar artists: armor for sleep, the graduateGenre: dreamy, epic, rock
The Jealous Sound – A Gentle Reminder
January 25, 2012 by Jason Gordon
Rumors of label changes, scrapped recordings, and shifting personnel have kept fans of the Jealous Sound on edge about the likelihood of another album. Devoted fans found a glimmer of hope when the Got Friends EP dropped in 2008; but subsequent delays put a damper on the prospect of any … read more.
Similar artists: Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Knapsack, samiamGenre: emo, indie, rock
O’Brother – Garden Window
November 23, 2011 by Matt Zimmerman
O’Brother’s debut full length is a 63 minute behemoth which ties both sludgy metal and Sigur Rós atmosphere into a seamless, cohesive package.
Similar artists: Deftones, manchester orchestra, sigur ros, Thrice, TorcheTagged: atmospheric, heavy, loud, Manchester Ochestra, O'Brother, rock, sludge, Thrice, Triple Crown
Active Child: You Are All I See
September 12, 2011 by Andrew Martin
Active Child’s blend of ethereal, harp-driven electro beats and moody beats is at once intimate and orchestral. The “Curtis Lane” EP was and is a timeless display of creative songs that encounter dark, yet hopeful moods and beauty. “I’m In Your Church At Night,” the lead track on the EP, … read more.
Similar artists: radiohead, the weekndGenre: dreamy, experimental, indie
Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground – Introducing…
August 30, 2011 by Matt Zimmerman
Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground return with their second full length Introducing…. It is another psychedelic romp through the forests of Bellevue, Washington with a little more restraint and a little more pop.
Tagged: Bombs Over Bellevue, gonzo soul music, Kay Kay, pop, psychedelic, rock, throwback, Wild Orchid Children
Psychic Babble – My Brother’s Ears/My Sister’s Eyes
August 30, 2011 by Matt Zimmerman
Colin Frangicetto steps out of the shadow of Circa Survive and releases his debut album full of upbeat shoegaze jams culled from years of unreleased work.
Halos – Living Like Kings In Confined Spaces
July 29, 2011 by Matt Zimmerman
Halos take the songs and experience they’ve gathered over the past four years and released their debut album “Living Like Kings In Confined Spaces.”
Similar artists: circa surviveTagged: atmospheric, California, Circa Survive, Halos, Orange County, rock