Few active rock bands consistently bring the weird like The Flaming Lips. Resonant, immersive sonic experiences are the band’s calling card. On American Head, their 16th studio album, Wayne Coyne and company explore somber tones and rapturous uplift. An atmospheric yet somewhat gentle affair, the record nevertheless skirts abrasiveness at…

It’s rare that an album’s title pretty much tells you what it contains. It’s refreshing that Mastodon called its new release Medium Rarities. Not only is it an excellent play on words referring to steak, but the album is also a collection of somewhat rare songs from the band’s 20-year…

There’s a moment that comes about halfway through “Prisoners” that says everything about where Doves–and many of their fans–find themselves at the end of this brutal and heartbreaking summer of 2020. A frenzied and urgent guitar solo gives way to a sparse acoustic guitar-and-strings interlude. And then Jimi Goodwin’s…

Always unpredictable, shock-rocker Marilyn Manson sticks true to form on his 11th studio album, the aptly titled WE ARE CHAOS. The album not only digs into Manson’s heavy industrial rock side but also mixes his more ethereal and atmospheric tendencies in a more pronounced way than on past records. He…

The city of Detroit personified as “the struggling artist” feels apt—especially when considering the number of incredibly talented and influential artists who have come from the Motor City that have faced hardships themselves. Big Sean addressed the topic in 2012 with Detroit and now follows that mixtape with full-length album Detroit…

Following up 2019’s The Peyote Dance and Mummer Love, Soundwalk Collective maintains its experimental sound to accompany the methodical poetic writings of Patti Smith on Peradam, the third entry in a series of joint-effort albums. Peradam Soundwalk Collective with Patti Smith Bella Union, Sept. 4 4/10 The artist cite literary…

One of the extant joys of modern pop music is the capacity for under-the-radar but persistent artists to emerge like a butterfly in creative reawakenings. With Sun Racket, indie rock work mules Throwing Muses throw their hats into the ring for a potentially vital resurgence. Sun Racket Throwing Muses Fire…

Narrow Head vocalist and guitarist Jacob Duarte had a point when he said, “Nobody has riffs anymore.” The current rock scene seems afraid to try to write some nasty parts to get people moving. Excluding metal and hardcore, it’s safe to say riff-oriented rock music has steadily wained in…

Debut single “Broken” captured the attention of millions for lovelytheband. About four years later and still riding that high, the group is back with its sophomore album, Conversations With Myself About You. Rich in indie pop sounds that at times venture into the ’80s techno sound vault, this offering demonstrates that…

You probably don’t need a reminder, but 2020 is a weird year. The Room Ricky Reed Nice Life, Aug. 28 6/10 As the national lockdown in the United States enters it’s sixth month, musicians have been busy completing their lockdown albums. Taylor Swift’s surprise release is of course the…