Massachusetts-based metalcore band Converge formed back in 1990, almost 30 years ago, so that stat alone gives them “legendary” status. During their tenure they’ve garnered a cult-like following of fans, gained praise from critics, and have inspired hundreds of copycat bands, some very decent, others extremely shitty. Through it all Converge have remained one of… Continue reading Converge – The Dusk in Us
Tag: Massachusetts
Dinosaur Jr. – Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not
Alright, it’s pretty much a given that J Mascis is Dinosaur Jr., right? He’s the singer – well, 90% of the time. He’s the guitarist. He’s the songwriter. And he’s the King of The Band, a Machiavellian mind-fucker if ever there were one. (Read the Dinosaur Jr. chapter of Michael Azerrad’s excellent Our Band Could… Continue reading Dinosaur Jr. – Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not
Potty Mouth – Cherry Picking EP
In recent years, Massachusetts punks Potty Mouth have released brooding, layered music marked by singer Abby Weems’ dry vocal delivery. Though earlier releases such as 2013 LP Hell Bent were unlike anything before or since, they still got the obligatory and tackily gender-specific comparisons to ‘90s music – namely obvious Riot Grrrl reference points, though… Continue reading Potty Mouth – Cherry Picking EP
Speedy Ortiz
From Summer Camp to Shaky Knees: Bobby Moore Catches Up with Speedy Ortiz It makes sense that Northampton, Mass. five-piece Speedy Ortiz is likened to guitar-driven alt-rock giants, as its members likely soaked up the sounds of home state heroes Dinosaur Jr. and the Pixies in their formative listening years. Plus, a band that uses… Continue reading Speedy Ortiz
Speedy Ortiz – Major Arcana
It’s typically a bad omen when a band’s influences can be called out too readily. And sure enough, this problem dogs Speedy Ortiz – about half of the time. The young quartet has clearly put in quality time poring over the catalogs of 1990s alter-nation’s leading lights. Frontwoman Sadie Dupuis channels Liz Phair’s tossed-off, spoken/sung… Continue reading Speedy Ortiz – Major Arcana
Glenn Jones – The Wanting
You could lose a hundred afternoons listening to these guitar and banjo pieces, and never notice or care. The onetime Cul De Sac leader and ardent devotee of the “American Primitive” steel string finger-picking school led by John Fahey has been floating under the radar for ages, even though he’s pushing 60. This CD (and… Continue reading Glenn Jones – The Wanting