Wednesday 24 April 2013

Podcast: Ep. 42 - But It's Kinda Glam, Right?

Ep. 42: But It's Kinda Glam, Right?

In this episode the boys discuss some punk rock awesomeness (Against Me!, The Bronx, Bad Religion), the return of veterans (Hatebreed, Rex from Pantera), and how Rise Against isn't very good anymore. Everyone then discusses the most famous person they have met (spoiler: the winner is Hasselhoff!....and Bigfoot...the monster truck...).  Strangely enough, the topic of sports comes up and everyone does their best to act like they know what they are talking about.  The discussion then jumps around to everything from Tom Green, Olympus is Fallen, and that the girl from Dredd/Game of Thrones is broke. 

Get it on iTunes or here


Monday 22 April 2013

Review: Lucero - Texas & Tennessee



Lucero
 
Texas & Tennessee


Lucero’s sound has been a lot of things: twangy country, bar rock, melancholy alt-country, and a whole bunch of things in between.  For me, they’ve always been the most piercing purveyors of sad bastard music on the sketchy side of the Mason-Dixon.  I’ve loved this band through all of their incarnations and stylistic changes, but I truly do prefer them when they are moaning about a forelorned lover or regretting whiskey-fueled life choices.  On their most recent work, Women & Work, they largely substituted the depressing mode of earlier work in favour of more up-beat Memphis soul sound, which I liked a little less (personal preference).  Fortunately, they have seemed to lose whatever sense of happiness that they had on their newest EP called Texas & Tennessee.  While the musical style isn’t that far from their newer material, there is an authenticity in these depressing-as-hell songs that I love and that harkens back to the bands earlier work.

The song “Texas & Tennessee” is a highlight of the 4-song EP and is slow, murky, and heart-felt in an impressive way that Lucero has become famous for.  From there “Union Pacific Line” takes a decidedly country turn and would almost be at home on another Ben Nichols solo album.  Regardless, this song is sad and amazing.  “Breathless Love” seems like the most at home with the Women & Work-era Lucero that we’ve seen as of late, but there is still sadness that transcends the use of a horn section.  Finally, “The Other Side of Lonesome” makes even the most chipper listener contemplate suicide.....and I mean that as a compliment.  Most vocalists sound like whiney bitches or self-indulgent brats when they fill consecutive songs with laments, but Nichols has the ability to turn a phrase in such a way as to melt an old metalheads heart rather than encourage his scorn.

Yes, this is a metal/hardcore/punk review site, but Lucero is better than most bands, and I help run this site, so I’ll do whatever I damn well please.

Pick up the digital version of this EP on April 30 or here.

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Podcast: Ep. 41 - Drinking Like Don Draper

Lost Tribe Podcast
Ep. 41: Drinking Like Don Draper

In this episode the boys talk about American Nightmare's impending Canadian show and how weird it was that the internet didn't catch on fire when tickets went on sale.  After discussing how good the new Paint It Black is and the return of Game of Thrones.  Next, there is much discussion about how shitty fat suits are, but how great old fashions taste when Mad Men becomes the topic of conversation.  To end things off on a high note every one complains about the end of Weeds, the movie This is 40, and just how fucking depressing living in Canada during the wintertime can be.

Get it on iTunes or here.

Review: Philip H. Anselmo/Warbeast - War of the Gargantuas Split EP

Philip H. Anselmo/Warbeast

War of the Gargantuas Split EP



Despite my inability to get into the last Down release, I truly love Phil Anselmo.  Is he batshit crazy?  Ya, probably.  Is he a joke or what he once was?  I don’t think so, but that might be just wishful thinking.  Is he still capable of putting out crushingly heavy music?  Without a fucking doubt. What proof do I have?  Philip H. Anselmo/Warbeast – War of the Gargantuas Split EP.  Will this be the last question answer set? Yes.

Although Down has been putting out music at a steady peace for the last few years, I still desperately the shreaking/desperate/murderous Phil vocals ala “Suicide note Pt. 1” and “Sandblasted Skin”.  While I guess you could say some of that was available with Superjoint Ritual and Arson Anthem, it’s good to finally hear him doing some heavier, metal-based stuff.  Apparently this is a precursor to a proper solo full-length (with his band The Illegals) ...which I’m now stoked to hear!

As for the other band, Warbeast, I’m thoroughly impressed.  Before this release I had heard of them, knew they were from Texas, and had been around a while, but I had never checked them out before....and shame on me for that.  They are extreme, sludgy, and fucking rip.  If you haven’t checked them out yet, do yourself a favour and pick up this release.
In short, I was pleasantly surprised by Warbeast and finally realized how much I love and miss Phil-fronted metal.  It’s only 4 songs, but these are 4 songs worth checking out.

Philcore for Philcore.

Buy it here.

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Podcast: Ep. 40 - The Marshall Mathers Episode

Lost Tribe Podcast
 

Ep. 40: The Marshall Mathers Episode

In this episode the boys talk about awesome hardcore (Incendiary, Rotting Out and Shai Hulud) and our decline in the interest in rap battles (for a cornucopia of reasons).  The conversation then drifts towards some rappers inability to write full records and just how incredible Eminem was and probably could still be if he would just stop putting out utter nonsense.  Also, the boys apologize for the utter shit music that Canada is known for putting out (we have good music I swear!  We had(ve) No Warning!  Cursed!  Fucked Up! Stompin’ Tom!) .  Then everything gets insanely sad when the documentary The Invisible War is discussed.  

Get it on iTunes or here.

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Podcast: Ep. 39 - I Thought Reagan Was God

Lost Tribe Podcast
 
Ep. 39: I Thought Reagan Was God

In this episode the boys talk about the Reagan era!  That means there is discussion about the music of the era and what happens when you get raised secular and end up thinking that Ronald Reagan is in fact God....ya.  From there everyone discusses what podcasts/radio shows they have been listening to and which to absolutely avoid (we are looking at you Savage Nation). Finally, discussions devolve into insults based on what it would be like to travel to Mars together.

Get it on iTunes or here.