Browsing Tag

US Rock

Apollo’s Army – Drive: Infectiously Feisty Indie Alt Rock

Posted on 13 August 2020

If you could imagine what it would sound like if The Black Keys threw nuances of raucous Punk and Grunge into their rhythmically spellbinding singles, you’ll get an idea of what will hit you when you hit play on Apollo’s Army’s single “Drive”.

Drive is just one of the super-charged singles which you will find on the US-based artist’s debut album Welcome to the Army which was a decade in the making. Which means that Welcome to the Army is a rare record which offers the teen angst that initially inspired the record performed by an indisputable powerhouse of musicians.

Drive is packed with anthemic appeal thanks to the massive infectious choruses, enigmatic vocals, and then there’s the riffs, my God the riffs. While I’ll roll my eyes at most showy shredding, there’s something infinitely absorbing about Wah-soaked sonic blazing solo work in Drive.

You can check out Apollo’s Army’s single along with the rest of their 2020 album by heading over to Spotify or their official website where you’ll find more ways to stream their snarling Alt Indie hit.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Orange Animal – Here I See: Soulfully Compelling Semi-Orchestral Alt Rock

Posted on 26 July 2020

Here I See is the latest single to be released from US Alt-Rock artist Orange Animal. Their visceral combination of Blues, Rock and Folk in Here I See offers the kind of sound which the word ‘phenomenal’ should be reserved for.

The energy and the atmosphere allow you to almost forget that you’re listening to what started out as a melody and some lyrics. Their ingenuity brings rare intensity to the aural experience which won’t fail to leave you arrested. You lock into the resonance which spills from the all too compelling, low, gravelly vocals and the angular precision of the guitar notes as they lead the way through the semi-orchestral single.

It’s as stylistic and as contemporary as what you’d expect to hear from the likes of the National, but the roots of each of the genres which were weaved into the evocative mix are still audible. In short, I can’t see any Rock-inclined music fan being unimpressed with Here I See.

If you’re aurally sensitive, be prepared to feel a little bruised by this soulfully compelling melodic masterpiece.

You can check out Orange Animal’s single for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wild Sundays have served up a fresh slice of American Indie Pop Rock with their debut single “Exception”

Posted on 22 June 2020
https://wildsundays.bandcamp.com/releases

“Exception” is the debut single from the Boston, Massachusetts-based Indie Pop Rock newcomer Wild Sundays. Prepare for a rhythmically slick soul-soothing Indie earworm before hitting play.

The anthemic energy of Exception is nicely paired with the intimately candid lyrics and vocals which invite you to aurally swim in the depths of the vocalist’s authentic and sincere expression.

With most Indie tracks, you can immediately guess who the artist is trying to assimilate. But Wild Sundays pull from a variety of sub-genres to deliver an overwhelmingly contemporary resounding sound which will appease Rock fans of all inclinations.

Whether you love to listen to Bon Jovi, Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, or Manic Street Preachers, you’re sure to appreciate Exception.

You can check out Wild Sundays’ track Exception for yourselves by heading over to Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wandering Lies blew the cobwebs off Washington D.C.’s Hard Rock scene with their latest single “Break Me”

Posted on 17 June 2020
https://wanderinglies.bandcamp.com/track/break-me

Washington D.C. Alt Rock 5-piece powerhouse Wandering Lies dropped their captivatingly authentic album The Last Goodbye” featuring the standout single “Break Me” on May 29th. If you want a reason to get excited about Rock again, hitting play will ensure that you’re suitably exhilarated by the blistering licks, Angie Pepa’s raucously fierce vocals and the adrenalizing energy poured into the progressive hit.

With subtle hints of Psych Rock and nuances of the Alt 90s sound wrapped around effects-laden Hard Rock instrumentals, it’s safe to say that Wandering Lies have found their signature sound and if you aren’t moved by the resounding aural storm, it’s quite likely that you’re dead inside.

You can stream and download Wandering Lies’ single Break Me along with the rest of their 2020 album via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Always Manic – Falling into A Coma: Piercingly Evocative Anthemically-Charged Alt Rock

Posted on 27 May 2020
https://soundcloud.com/alwaysmanic/falling-into-a-coma

Any fans of Against Me! will undoubtedly want to check out the anthemically-charged standout single “Falling Into A Coma” from US Alt Rock artist Always Manic.

It has all the anthemic appeal as hits from bands such as the Foo Fighters, yet the striking levels of volatile dynamic emotion take Always Manic’s sound to the next level. Alt Rock tracks don’t often come as evocatively magnetic as Falling into A Coma.

The up and coming artist has proven with Falling into A Coma you can pour all the apathy and angst you like into a track, but if there’s enough euphoric energy and fuzzy guitar-driven electricity weaved into the mix, it can become an extremely effective feel-good hit.

The slight vibrato on the vocals in the first verse stung, but hearing the momentum build and the restraint falling away sweeps you up in the energy of the track until you feel as adrenalized as the track itself.

You can check out Falling Into A Coma for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aliens in Bowties have made their Alt Rock debut with their fiercely authentic EP “Take Me to Your Tailor”

Posted on 21 May 2020

Up and coming Alt Rock 3-piece powerhouse Aliens in Bowties dropped their genre-defying debut EP Take Me to Your Tailor on May the 5th. Soundgarden, Metallica, She Wants Revenge, and Shinedown fans alike are going to want to hear it.

Each of the seismic shifts in tone and style in the four progressively fierce tracks is as viscerally captivating as the last. There’s a rare sense of urgency found in both the vocals and the tight instrumental arrangement. So, whether you’re enjoying Aliens in Bowties ability to spin intricate mellifluous melodicism or you’re caught in the frenzied electrifying doom-laden breakdowns, you’ll be equally as arrested.

One thing which remains as a constant is the mesmerism which spills from Mitch Rector’s vocals. In the slower track on the EP Mystery, he doesn’t hold back on the soul-bearing sultry romanticism. Yet in the first track “Hesitate” you’re treated to his uniquely volatile charisma which sets Alien in Bowties leagues apart from your average Alt Rock newcomer. Pair that with their prowess on a fretboard, and you’ve got a second reason to put Aliens in Bowties on your radar.

You can check out the EP for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast