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By Sowing
Friday January 20, 2017
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Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of January 20, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: AFI: “AFI (The Blood Album)”–
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Genre: Punk/Alt-Rock // Label: Concord Music Group, Inc.
Background:
AFI (A Fire Inside) have a storied history as one of punk’s most long-lived and influential bands. As they find themselves now ten albums deep into their career, what should we be expecting from AFI (The Blood Album)? Even the most hopeful of fans know another Black Sails in the Sunset or Answer That and Stay Fashionable isn’t in the cards, because quite frankly the band is in its third decade and its members reside at a totally different juncture in their lives. The material released in advance of The Blood Album yielded singles with a sound more darkened, yet equally as melodic and accessible as – say – Crash Love. Thus, a more realistic target for this record may be a return to the band’s early 2000’s punk/emo heyday, something along the lines of Sing The Sorrow. It remains to be seen if the band will match the passion and energy of that era, but songs like ‘Snow Cats’ are a good indicator of what to expect. Give it a…
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By Sowing
Friday January 13, 2017
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50-31 | 30-11 | 10-1 | EPs
[Bandcamp] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
“I’ve got no right to be depressed,” whines Will Toledo on Teens of Denial‘s cerebral and prescient opener, “Fill in the Blank”. In it, he complains about nothing in particular, lamenting nothing whilst refusing to form an intelligent or informed opinion on anything. In many ways, he’s symptomatic of white, liberal, twenty-something naval-gazing, always finding problems but never caring to see if there’s solutions. But, in denying the illegitimacy of his malaise, and proclaiming with a sort of disenfranchised aplomb that he indeed ‘has a right to be depressed,’ Toledo flips the narrative; he welcomes introversion and entertains its possibilities. It becomes the central thesis of Teens of Denial, kicking against the little things with a sincerely sarcastic bent. Toledo writes bedroom pop songs around knotty compositions, exercising guitar theatrics whilst never emerging from his humbled performance style. In effect, he’s living a maladaptive daydream, wherein his lonely nights become cathartic rock concerts, celebrating his emotional fragility whilst having at least one foot on the distortion pedal. If you’ve ever spent a Saturday night at home, then you’ll recognize the sound. –Elliott
9. Jeff Rosenstock – Worry.
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
Worry. is essentially one of the most fun and upbeat albums of…
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By Sowing
Thursday January 12, 2017
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50-31 | 30-11 | 10-1 | EPs
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
There are some questions as to why 3 Demos, Reworked even exists. Was it a hastily-recorded fixer to smooth over the grumblings when LP5 was delayed once again? Or was it planned out in advance, part of a bigger scheme leading up to whatever Brand New have in store for 2017? The cynic in me thinks the former, but the music on display seems to bear up the latter. 3 Demos is the tightest, least-forced music we’ve heard from Brand New since Daisy, and the fact that the songs are more than ten years old doesn’t seem to hurt that in the least. “Brother’s Song” and “1996” are clean, crisp and beautiful, with the former’s raw acoustic appeal translating weirdly well to a full-band electric version. “1996” has definitely changed the least, with Lacey’s best Morrissey impression still in the forefront amongst some of the finest and most cynical lyrics he’s ever penned. Only “Missing You” is a dud, with the original’s dirty electronic drive totally lost amongst the too-polished, too-slow reinterpretation. But “Missing You” doesn’t stop this being one of the stronger EPs of the year, and hopefully a sign that Brand New are getting back in the headspace that gave us The Devil and God… all those years ago. –Rowan
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By Sowing
Wednesday January 11, 2017
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50-31 | 30-11 | 10-1 | EPs
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
Jimmy Eat World perhaps saw the biggest return to form of any artist this year. After three albums passed and faced mixed reception from fans and critics alike, Jim Adkins took a step back and dove into more personal lyricism, with the band following suit. There is a lot more emotion in everything this time around without feeling like they are trying too hard, and Jim replaces the “you”s that he has been singing about since Bleed American and replaces them with “I”s. While the album dives into some territory the band have previously delved into – such as the incredible post-rock bridge of “Sure and Certain” and the swaying acoustic ballad of “The End is Beautiful” – there is something new to be found, such as the progressive rock conclusion of “Pass the Baby”. If there are any doubts about the band’s ability to write strong material, the final two tracks could go down as some of their best. Integrity Blues sees the return of Jimmy Eat World to their absolute potential, showing that maybe the best has yet to come. –Hogan
29. Blood Incantation – Starspawn
[Bandcamp] // [Spotify] // [Label Site]
Given the prevalence of the OSDM revival recently, it’s refreshing to see a…
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By Sowing
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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Here’s a quick look ahead at a handful of Q1 Alt/Indie tracks that have caught my ear in advance of their respective album’s release. If this is any indication, 2017 is going to be a vibrant year for electronically-influenced indie-pop and indie-rock, with the likes of The Flaming Lips, The xx, Dirty Projectors, and Temples shaping up this sheerly-for-shits-and-giggles compilation. I randomized the playlist’s order though, so there’s still a solid mix of more down-to-earth material, like Japandroids and Cloud Nothings.
Every song on this playlist is taken from an album that will be released between now and the end of March 2017. Give it a spin, skip around a little, or ignore it and go listen to something m/ as fuck. I just hope you give this a chance and perhaps discover a few new artists that you enjoy in the process.
Will probably return to this to do a Q2 playlist in due time. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/user/sowingsputnik/playlist/3jPRVT0Z4gaDy6DwgJvW29
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By Sowing
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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Welcome back to Sputnik’s weekly news! After a short break we’re happy to be posting for the first time in 2017, on the prowl for the year’s best releases in every genre. For each album, you’ll be able to peruse the artwork, genre(s), label information, and any existing full album streams. This is our list of major new releases for the week of January 13, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more. Enjoy!
–Featured Release: The Flaming Lips: “Oczy Mlody”–
Genre: Psychedelic/Experimental // Label: The Flaming Lips
Background:
The Flaming Lips just keep getting weirder, which in the field of music is a hefty compliment. The experimental band releases their follow-up to 2013’s The Terror this Friday, although the albums feel further apart in time than the four years that actually separate them. It’s been a dizzying time for fans – first there was the 24-hour track 7 Skies H3, then we witnessed them cover The Beatles’ iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album in its entirety, which featured a slew of guest musicians ranging from My Morning Jacket to Miley Cyrus in a cleverly titled homage With A Little Help From My Fwends. In short, this isn’t a group of musicians…
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By Sowing
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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50-31 | 30-11 | 10-1 | EPs
[Bandcamp] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
With names such as Aaron Turner, Brian Cook, and Nick Yacyshyn at the helm, there’s no doubt SUMAC were born to create thunderous music. Few bands can make such a massive sound with only three members. What One Becomes sees their brand of sludge become less riff-oriented and move more towards a plodding, pummeling approach. SUMAC aren’t content to stay at one tempo though; the band are just as comfortable pounding out menacing chords in separate octaves as they are launching into breakneck passages or suddenly giving way to spacey, fuzzy moments. This behemoth of a record is out to crush you, and Kurt Ballou’s production ensures it’s as organic-sounding as they come. –RogueNine
48 (tie). Devin Townsend Project – Transcendence
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
Some might argue that Devin Townsend is practically a god in the music industry. Ever since his debut album, Townsend has been creating some of the most surreal and entertaining music over these last twenty years, ranging from the modern pop-metal routines of the Devin Townsend Project albums to his more aggressive days in Strapping Young Lad. Transcendence is, in a way, the culmination of some of his best ideas thrown together into one hour-long record. While it certainly isn’t as reliable on…
50-31 | 30-11 | 10-1
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
What started as an ambitious project became a jaw-dropping odyssey that got bigger and better with each act. Undoubtedly, The Color Spectrum – and even Migrant to a certain extent – have helped expand mastermind Casey Crescenzo’s sonic horizons, so when the band returned to the Acts and released IV, the diversity level was considerably higher. The break felt necessary to keep their relevancy at an all-time high. Moreover, nobody expected to listen to the follow-up one year later, yet here it is in all its splendor. While it was written and recorded at the same time, this shares a different atmosphere.
Story-wise, Act V finds the protagonist (“The Boy”) during his last days, incapable to mend the wrongs he’d done during his ego-tripping. Plotting revenge on his nemesis (“The Pimp and the Priest”), the consequences lead to his imminent death. Such dramatic events call for a matching soundtrack, and The Dear Hunter deliver. From pop, rock, and Americana leanings to swing or folksy cuts, the tunes are constantly complemented by an entire orchestra, which sometimes takes the forefront, too. Building up to the grand finale, we arrive at it with “A Beginning”, an amazing and touching coda to this brilliant album. Acting both as an end and as a new start (as…
50-31 | 30-11 | 10-1
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
Someday, when books are written about Kanye West’s career and all his artistic decisions are carved open, The Life of Pablo will come to be seen as an enduring pseudo-autobiotragedy – a modern day Station to Station or Astral Weeks. Already, The Life of Pablo has attained a flagrantly unnatural and unholy state; West may no longer be hyperventilating or screaming, but the demons he faces are still real. That opening verse of “Ultralight Beam” – “Deliver us serenity, deliver us peace / Deliver us loving – we know we need it” hints at a genuine desire for salvation, yet he still can’t go five minutes without threatening the school coach or somehow embarrassing his extended family. The man is fire masquerading as ice; a hammer in a nail-free world. But name me one genius that ain’t crazy. –Irving Tan
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
There’s something to be said for knowing when to hang up the mic. We’ve all seen bands age poorly, releasing tired-sounding efforts that neither expand upon their repertoire nor satisfy the craving for a return to “the glory days.” Sensing that their days were numbered, especially due to the burgeoning personal lives of each respective band…
50-31 | 30-11 | 10-1
50. Alcest – Kodama
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
The atmosphere of Japanese folklore comes alive through Alcest’s vision in the euphoric odyssey of Kodama. While predecessor Shelter was an enjoyable diversion from what was expected, this sees Alcest once again emphasizing sweeping post-rock atmospheres colliding with intense metal soundscapes. “Je Suis D’ailleurs”, “Untouched”, and the heavenly title track traverse multicolored waterfalls of sound, with dizzying atmospheres to get lost in. Alcest are once again casting aside genre labels and harnessing a more sophisticated approach than the typical dynamic motifs one hears in their genre. They keep to the dreamy – yet abstract and complex – musical explorations in which they have always excelled. Kodama once again proves that Alcest are still making music at the peak of their potential. –Ben K.
[Official Site] // [Spotify] // [Facebook]
Danny Brown is the greatest rapper alive because he needs to be. Too many atrocities separate the formative years that have contributed to this madness and the inspiring run of albums that have detailed his descent, and despite the numbers on the board, it will always be a descent. So posits the opening track: “Everybody say, ‘You got a lot to be proud of’ / Been high this whole time, don’t realize what I done.” They say with fame…
50 Best of 2016
From Norwegian Pop to Dad Thrash
Skylar Grey, Sleigh Bells, Metallica, Aurora, and Devin Townsend.
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2016 was a pretty good year for music. Admittedly, there was nothing that I would call a classic or game changer, but there was a huge influx of albums I would still refer to as excellent or outstanding. It wasn’t just the great albums that made 2016 special, it was also the bands that released them. We had albums from Korn, Metallica, Testament, and Anthrax that were some of their best in years (if not decades). We also had a lot of cool re-issues this year. Circle of Dust remastered and re-released their entire discography, including the Argyle Park side project. These weren’t just cash grabs either. These were totally remastered and released with one or more extra discs of unreleased and rare material. We also had remastered albums from Mother Love Bone and Temple of the Dog. The other one I can remember is the remastered version of Remedy Lane (only their best release).
Anyway, this list is my Top 50 albums of the year. This was a painstaking process as I took my ratings and bumped them against the average Sputnik rating while also checking them against the overall Metacritic value (where applicable) to confirm that my opinion was indeed correct. From there I would assign a number to each album based on how original it was and where it stood within a band’s…
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 25, 2016. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
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–Featured Release: Young Legionnaire: “Zero Worship”–
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Young Legionnaire: Zero Worship
Genre: Alternative/Progressive // Label: Superstar Destroyer Records
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 – New Releases: November 25, 2016 –
Bolzer: Hero
Genre: Death Metal/Black Metal // Label: Iron Bonehead Records
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Craving: By the Storm
Genre: Death/Thrash // Label: Apostasy Records
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Defiant: Time Isn’t Healing
Genre: Power Metal // Label: Ferrum Records
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Guttermouth: New Car Smell
Genre: Punk // Label: Rude Records
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Leprous: Live At Rockefeller Music Hall
Genre: Progressive Metal // Label: InsideOut Records
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My Darkest Hate: Anger Temple
Genre: Death Metal // Label: Massacre Records
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Primordial: Gods to the Godless
Genre: Folk Metal/Black Metal // Label: Metal Blade Records
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Science of Sleep: Hellmouth
Genre: Death Metal // Label: Bastardized Records
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Toy Mountains: I Swore I’d Never Speak of This Again
Genre: Post Hardcore // Label: Crooked Records
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The Weeknd: Starboy
Genre: Hip-Hop // Label: Universal Republic
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Witchery: In His Infernal Majesty’s Service
Genre: Black Metal // Label: Century Media
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By Sowing
Friday November 18, 2016
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It goes without saying that Brand New are a staple “Sputnik” band, and I mean that less in the sense that the site in any way gave rise to the band’s popularity and more in the sense that we’ve unquestionably worshiped them as a deity since 2006. They’re not the only band that we’ve collectively fawned over, but even out of the site’s most highly respected artists, they are still near – if not at – the pinnacle. With The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me receiving well over 5,000 ratings while maintaining a 4.5 average, their reputation around these parts is so high that speaking negatively about the band – and even more so, this album – is heresy. Part of this hysteria can be chalked up to the age group and genre fans that populate this site, as Brand New undoubtedly speaks to younger generations, but as a whole it’s difficult to deny – through any scope – the record’s status as a modern day classic. On November 20, 2006, the world of alt/indie rock was forever imprinted with the mark of Brand New’s depressive and highly existential work of art; their unquestionable magnum opus. Ten years later, it’s time to revisit this towering achievement and take a quick look at what it now means a full decade removed from its release date.
It all started with immense pressure to follow up the band’s sophomore smash hit, Deja Entendu, with something worthy of the band’s rising reputation. High expectations aren’t easy…
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By Sowing
Wednesday November 16, 2016
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Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 18, 2016. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
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–Featured Release: Metallica: “Hardwired…To Self-Destruct” –
Metallica: Hardwired…To Self-Destruct
Genre: Thrash/Heavy Metal // Label: Blackened Recordings
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– New Releases: November 18, 2016 –
Be the Wolf: Rouge
Genre: Blues/Hard Rock // Label: Scarlet Records
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Boreworm: Entomophobia
Genre: Death/Progressive Metal // Label: Independant
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Bruno Mars: 24K Magic
Genre: Pop/Soul // Label: Atlantic Recording Corporation
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D∆WN: Redemption
Genre: Electronic // Label: Local Action Records
Stream Redemption here.
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Devilment: II – The Mephisto Waltzes
Genre: Metal/Gothic // Label: Nuclear Blast Entertainment
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Diabulus in Musica: Dirge For The Archons
Genre: Death/Power Metal // Label: Napalm Records Handels GmbH
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DNCE: DNCE
Genre: Pop // Label: Republic Records
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Eternal Deformity: No Way Out
Genre: Black/Progressive Metal // Label: ToT Records
Stream No Way Out here.…
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 11, 2016. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
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–Featured Release: Deathspell Omega: “The Synarchy of Molten Bones”–
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Deathspell Omega: The Synarchy of Molten Bones
Genre: Death/Black Metal // Label: Noevdia Records
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 – New Releases: November 11, 2016 –
Animals As Leaders: The Madness Of Many
Genre: Progressive Metal // Label: Sumerian Records
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ANNISOKAY: Devil May Care
Genre: Metalcore // Label: Long Branch Records
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Downfall Of Gaia: Atrophy
Genre: Post Metal/Black Metal // Label: Metal Blade
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Enigma: The Fall Of Rebel Angel
Genre: New Age/Electronic // Label: Universal Records
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Enslaved: The Sleeping Gods – Thorn
Genre: Progressive Rock/Black Metal // Label: Norse Records
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Face Of Oblivion: Cataclysmic Desolation
Genre: Death Metal // Label: Comatose Music
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In Flames: Battles
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