Author Archives: Tim Hoffman
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Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – June 8
Clockwise from top left: Genesis Owusu, Jasiah, Baby Queen, Foster (Colin Foster Taylor), Masked Wolf and Tennis System. Ever find yourself skipping song after song on your playlist after the thousandth rotation? A fresh perspective often breathes life into music, so here are some new singles to give a…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Garbage decries the status quo with ‘No Gods No Masters’
No Gods No Masters, the new album from Garbage, shares its name with a popular anarchist slogan that has become more prominent in public discourse as of late. So you know the exact direction Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson and Steve Marker are going right off the bat. No Gods…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Rise Against takes the gloves off on ‘Nowhere Generation’
Between the increasingly fascistic nature of U.S. politics, climate crisis, economic disparity, crumbling infrastructure and rampant gun violence, things are still really, really bad. Older generations have seemingly waved away these issues, ignoring how they shaped the reality many of us will grapple with long after they are gone.…
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ALBUM REVIEW: ‘Exodus’ a bold closing chapter to the life of DMX
A bold and bittersweet closing chapter for one of the greatest rappers of all time, the long-awaited album from DMX, Exodus, comes a little over a month and a half after his death. His first release in nine years (following 2012’s Undisputed) and his first on Def Jam since Grand Champ, Exodus is…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Black Midi bewilders and berates the ‘Cavalcade’
London trio Black Midi has been labeled as being post-punk, experimental, noise and math rock. While “experimental” is certainly applicable, it doesn’t quite do the band justice. Following the critical acclaim of 2019’s Schlagenheim, Cavalcade, plays like a fever dream pressed onto 12-inch vinyl. Cavalcade Black Midi Rough Trade, May…
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ALBUM REVIEW: J. Cole walks a fine line on ‘The Off-Season’
It’s been three years since J. Cole released KOD, his last album, and announced his next project, The Off-Season. Since then, he’s maintained a contentious place in hip-hop in no small part due to thinly veiled criticisms he’s lobbed at other rappers like Kanye West, Lil Pump and Noname on tracks…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Gojira warns of dark times ahead on ‘Fortitude’
Gojira, “Fortitude.” Fortitude, the new album by French progressive, technical heavy metal band Gojira, maintains the band’s signature exploration of environmental and existential themes alongside shredding and impressive melodies courtesy of Joe Duplantier and Christian Andreu. Fortitude Gojira Roadrunner, April 30 8/10 The album, the band’s seventh and the first since critically…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Dropkick Murphys drop in to ‘Turn Up That Dial’
Boston working class Celtic punks Dropkick Murphys have geared up to release a new album for their 25th anniversary. Turn Up That Dial reflects the enthusiasm the band has put into its latest effort, with an array of vibrant tracks that sees it looking to stir up mischief and reflect…
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Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – April 27
Clockwise from top left: Whiterosemoxie, Damien, YSN Flow, Kid Quill, CoachDaGhost and Tion Wayne. Ever find yourself skipping song after song on your playlist after the thousandth rotation? A fresh perspective often breathes life into music, so here are some new singles to give a spin! YSN Flow, Tion…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Moneybagg Yo struggles to explain ‘A Gangsta’s Pain’
Memphis rapper Moneybagg Yo is back with his fourth studio album, A Gangsta’s Pain, just a year following 2020’s Time Served. The album’s title might lead listeners to observe it in a similar light to that of Benny The Butcher’s Burden of Proof—presenting itself as a concept album examining the impact of the street life. A…