Here are some things that are instantly noticeable about Brooklyn-based band Forest Fire‘s debut, Survival: The male/female vocals and harmonies The near-constant strum of acoustic guitar A wealth of instruments poking their heads in at random parts of songs What you might not notice so quickly, though, is how driven by percussion this record is.… Continue reading Forest Fire’s Survival is curious, memorable, intriguing
Author: Jon
Micachu & the Shapes @ Siren
At some point during Micachu & the Shapes‘ set, Lee described them to me as music made up of weird, disjointed parts that somehow come together. (That’s paraphrased. I didn’t take notes on his notes, gosh.) But I’d have to agree. There’s nothing musically conventional about Micachu. Besides the made up guitar chords (see: “Vulture”)… Continue reading Micachu & the Shapes @ Siren
The Blue Van @ Siren
I won’t spend time beating around the bush on this one, guys: all of us at KR agree that The Blue Van is going to be huge, and I mean huge like Lars Von Trier‘s ego is huge. (Suck on that obscure reference, hipsters! Haha!) Their music is beginning to make the rounds as we… Continue reading The Blue Van @ Siren
Monotonix @ Siren
Remember when boy bands were just, like, the biggest thing ever ohmygod? And the Backstreet Boys and *NSync would get up on stage, all facing away from the audience before the music began? And they’d dance around with flawless choreography while (allegedly) singing their songs? Well, Monotonix is kind of the same thing, if you… Continue reading Monotonix @ Siren
Built to Spill @ Siren
The very first thing that caught me about Built to Spill is how ridiculously beat up the band’s guitars are. But that’s expected; hell, the band’s been going for no less than 17 years now, and singer/guitarist Doug Martsch is sporting more than a bit of gray in his beard. Luckily, the quality of the… Continue reading Built to Spill @ Siren
Prepare yourself for KR’s thoughts on the Siren Music Festival
I’m going to start all this by saying Coney Island is ridiculously cool. I respect your opinion, so disagree if you’d like, but just know you’re wrong. The place is one big survivor of a locale, caught years in the past and loving every second of it. On its rickety boardwalk, there are family owned… Continue reading Prepare yourself for KR’s thoughts on the Siren Music Festival
Muse wants you to find the golden ticket
According to NME, Muse has launched a “global treasure hunt” that will lead fans to piece together the band’s new song “United States of Eurasia” bit by bit, to be finished presumably long after The Resistance is released on September 14th. It’s all too ludicrous and worthless to paraphrase, so here’s a blockquote: Muse have… Continue reading Muse wants you to find the golden ticket
Breaking news: Michael Jackson’s hair catches fire 25 years ago
Apparently those pesky journalists or whoever down at Who Gives a Shit, Inc. found some unreleased footage of Michael Jackson cooking his hair on the set of a Pepsi ad he was shooting in 1984. The pyrotechnics shot off too early in the take, and one dazzling flash of light later he was on fire… Continue reading Breaking news: Michael Jackson’s hair catches fire 25 years ago
[MP3] WHY? – “This Blackest Purse”
Yes, yes, yes. WHY? has released the first MP3 from its upcoming Eskimo Snow, due out September 22, which makes it the band’s second release in as many years. It’s as not-rap as any song the band has put out thus far, and I don’t really mind because this track is great. It’s pretty much… Continue reading [MP3] WHY? – “This Blackest Purse”
Confide covers “Such Great Heights” chug chug chug
This video’s been making the internet rounds lately based largely on the fact that it’s freaking fantastic. Underoath copiers extraordinaire Confide (don’t click that) apparently thought it would be totally hardcore to record a cover of The Postal Service‘s “Such Great Heights,” and here’s the video. Hilarity ensues. Or not. I really don’t know, I’m… Continue reading Confide covers “Such Great Heights” chug chug chug