Dom – Sun Bronzed Greek Gods (Burning Mill)
Keyboard-based pop music that owes a large debt to 80s New Wave but features just enough lo-fi fuzz to make it fit into that modern indie buzz category, “chillwave.” Toe-tapping in the moment, its melodies soon blur together and are forgotten by record’s end. Not terrible, not great.
Acacia Strain – Wormwood (Prosthetic)
These guys have been playing dark, downtuned metalcore for years now, and I’ve never been very enthusiastic about them. Wormwood does not change my opinion. They rely overmuch on slow, pounding breakdowns and deep, growly vocals, but they kill the effect through constant repetition. Instead of brutal, they’re just boring.
((Eagle Winged Palace)) – Where We’re Coming From (Western Crest Vinyl)
This is sun-drenched San Francisco psych-folk music with an emphasis on the ethereal and ambient ends of the spectrum. Percussion is de-emphasized in favor of acoustic guitars, keyboards, and the layered female vocals that are the album’s dominant sound. Too hippy-ish for some, perhaps, but rather charming overall.
Dom – Sun Bronzed Greek Gods (Burning Mill)
Keyboard-based pop music that owes a large debt to 80s New Wave but features just enough lo-fi fuzz to make it fit into that modern indie buzz category, “chillwave.” Toe-tapping in the moment, its melodies soon blur together and are forgotten by record’s end. Not terrible, not great.
Acacia Strain – Wormwood (Prosthetic)
These guys have been playing dark, downtuned metalcore for years now, and I’ve never been very enthusiastic about them. Wormwood does not change my opinion. They rely overmuch on slow, pounding breakdowns and deep, growly vocals, but they kill the effect through constant repetition. Instead of brutal, they’re just boring.
((Eagle Winged Palace)) – Where We’re Coming From (Western Crest Vinyl)
This is sun-drenched San Francisco psych-folk music with an emphasis on the ethereal and ambient ends of the spectrum. Percussion is de-emphasized in favor of acoustic guitars, keyboards, and the layered female vocals that are the album’s dominant sound. Too hippy-ish for some, perhaps, but rather charming overall.
