January 2018 resumé
So the first month of 2018 just kind of swung by and didn't leave as big a mark. Then again, compared to most of 2017's months, having this many 8/10s on here is a success. |
| 1 |  | Jeff Rosenstock
POST-
Jeff Rosenstock surprised everybody with a new album, but the most surprising part about it is just how solid and concise it was. I do prefer his two previous outputs over this, but will I be damned if this guy can't bring home some of those slapping tunes. It's a damn fun album, even though it leaves you wanting slightly more than it delivered, but you can call that spoils from the overpacked previous albums. 7/10
USA, Yr Throat, Powerlessness, TV Stars |
| 2 |  | When We Land
Introvert's Plight
This is as simple an Indie Pop-Rock album as it can possibly get. However, in all that light-heartedness the album possesses, it actually becomes extremely easy to like it. It doesn't demand you to stretch your listening patience and doesn't pretend it is a larger than life experience, it is just a really sweet, catchy and well put together record. 7/10
Wait, Throttle and the Wind, Kicking and Screaming, Take Me Back Again, Five Bar Blues, Come Home |
| 3 |  | Typhoon (USA-OR)
Offerings
Post-Rock in Folk's disguise. I cannot quite put my finger on it, is this massive and exciting or just bloated and pretentious? Who knows. I do admit that the band knows how to write some damn lovely tunes and meodies and that the exciting, overwhelming instrumentation is indeed effective time after time, but the album's reall issue is its length. I had a hard time after the album was finished, because I felt physically tired of listening to it. 7/10
Rorschach, Unususal, Remember, Darker |
| 4 |  | Sinistro
Sangue Cassia
Yeah, I'm sorry, but I need a little more variety in my music. There is just absolutely no distinction between the tracks. And together with the excruciating length, it just becomes unbearable. At least the vocals are nice. 4/10
Pétalas, Nuvem |
| 5 |  | Horna / Pure
Split
Horna came through with two records this month and neither of them were full. I start to wonder, whether this could have worked better as just a full album, both their songs off of this split and off of Kuolleiden Kuu. Then again, I cannot complain about this split as a whole, because it is a damn fine-ass compilation. Both bands bring on a slightly different approach. Where Horna is a straightforward, ass-kicking Black Metal, Pure sounds more muffled and cosmic. It is great fun and should not be missed if you like yourselves some Blackened Death Metal. 8/10
Nielkää Tuhkaa!, Kielletyn Tulen Kantaja, Kohti Myrskyjen Vuosia, Astral Vanity, Disclosure of Knowledge |
| 6 |  | Horna
Kuolleiden Kuu
Somewhat derivative and samey, but ultimately goddamn crushing and fun. I suppose the slight muddiness of it all was a mild turn-off, but that didn't prevent me from coming off of this album satisfied. 7/10
Kuolleiden Kuu, Tähdet Tähdet |
| 7 |  | Bikini Cops
Three
A bloody sublime Punk throwback from a Perth native band. Three EPs in and these guys are still bringing damn solid material forth. I'm just still waiting on that album, goddammit. 8/10
(Not) My World, Stupid System, Midnight, Lost in a Dimension |
| 8 |  | Nürnberg
U nikudy
Derivative to the core, nothing you haven't heard, and yet so charming in its amateurishness and lack of quality production or execution. Especially considering that these enthusiasts are from Belarus. And how many Post-Punk bands from those parts have you heard of? 6/10
Patanuć, Los |
| 9 |  | Exek
Ahead of Two Thoughts
My goodness, if this isn't the most tired and confused record this month... 3/10 |
| 10 |  | Locktender
Friedrich
reviewed it
What a massive goddamn record complete with its own unique concept and visceral, clear instrumental monstrosity. It's a hard-hitting album like no other this month. 7/10
Seashore with Shipwreck by Moonlight, The Abbey in the Oakwood |
| 11 |  | They Might Be Giants
I Like Fun
reviewed it |
| 12 |  | Kaviar Special
Vortex
to be reviewed |
| 13 |  | Avatar
Avatar Country
I don't know what happened here. Avatar are still displaying great instrumental skill, but this album just drags on forever and in the end you have no interest in listening further or again... 6/10 |
| 14 |  | Silent EM
Foreign States
An "I initially planned on reviewing this, but JohnnyOnTheSpot already got dibs on it" entry on the list. 7/10 |
| 15 |  | Nature Shots
Foreclosure
An "I initially planned on reviewing this, but realised there is literally nothing to say" entry on the list. 5/10 |
| 16 |  | Elskavon
Skylight
Genre on the Grid
An "I initially planned on reviewing this, but realised there is literally nothing to say" entry on the list 6/10 |
| 17 |  | Screature
Old Hand New Wave
An "I initially planned on reviewing this, but realised there is literally nothing to say" entry on the list. 6/10 |
| 18 |  | The Spook School
Could It Be Different?
An "I initially planned on reviewing this, but realised there is literally nothing to say" entry on the list. 6/10
Still Alive, Best of Intentions, Bad Year |
| 19 |  | Tiny Moving Parts
Swell
Considering the fact that I utterly disliked their previous album, I had a strong feeling of scepticism going into this one. I admit a pleasant surprise. The guitar-work is intricate, the tunes are more pleasant and the whiny nature of the record is not all that distracting. Not exactly a grade A record, but a step up nonetheless. 6/10
Smoth It Out, Wildfire, It's Too Cold Outside |
| 20 |  | Television Personalities
Beautiful Despair
reviewed it |
| 21 |  | Nils Frahm
All Melody
reviewed it
Genre on the Grid |
| 22 |  | Atrium Carceri, Cities Last Broadcast, God Body Disconnect
Miles to Midnight
reviewed it
Genre on the Grid |
| 23 |  | Shame (UK)
Songs Of Praise
reviewed it |
| 24 |  | Shopping
The Official Body
reviewed it
My first reviewing feature. |
| 25 |  | The Fiction Aisle
Jupiter, Florida
reviewed it |
| 26 |  | Mind Spiders
Furies
reviewed it |
| 27 |  | First Aid Kit
Ruins
reviewed it |
| 28 |  | flatsound
hummingbird
reviewed it |
| 29 |  | The Skids
Burning Cities
reviewed it |
| 30 |  | Half Japanese
Why Not?
reviewed it |
| 31 |  | ********
The Drink
reviewed it |
| 32 |  | Exo
Countdown
to be reviewed |
| 33 |  | Monolithe
Nebula Septem
Monolithe's latest is a big more stiff and lacks versatility that'd keep it afloat. It does provide solid entertainment and the overall execution is solid, but nowhere near outstanding enough to distinguish it from any other of Monolithe's albums. 6/10 |
| 34 |  | Flying Horseman
Rooms/Ruins
reviewed it |
| 35 |  | VVV x Sangam
Tomorrow Comes
GotG
A serviceable enough ambient record with its pleasantness, but never much of anything that'd stick out. 6/10 |
| 36 |  | Fall Out Boy
M A N I A
I mean, yeah. 2/10 |
| 37 |  | Portal
ION
I really want to like it, I really am trying my hardest, but this album just comes off as an unnecessary wall of undigestable noise. 6/10 |
| 38 |  | Orphaned Land
Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs
Man, this was one heck of a cheesy experience, even if with its grandiose merit. 6/10 |
| 39 |  | Atrium Carceri and Herbst9
Ur Djupan Dal
GotG
Not pleasant, not creepy, just sort of meditative. 7/10 |
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