Alternative/Punk Browse All

Grails, Black Tar Prophecies Vols. 4, 5 & 6

2013 | Label: Temporary Residence Ltd. / SC Distribution

By Jon Wiederhorn eMusic Contributor

10.04.13 The ongoing Black Tar Prophecies sessions from Portland, Oregon, instrumental post-rockers Grails function like deep-space side ventures from their normal output. The first three prophecies came after the hypnotic, but monochromatic buzz of their second full-length album, 2004′s Redlight. The songs were culled from collaborations and rarities, and displayed the band working with elements of Krautrock, dub, ambient, psychedelia and classical.

The second batch, Black Tar Prophecies Vols. 4, 5 & 6, matches, and possibly exceeds, the potency of both the first Black Tar releases and their 2008 high-water mark LP… more »

Frankie Rose, Herein Wild

2013 | Label: Fat Possum Records

By Annie Zaleski eMusic Contributor

09.25.13 Since striking out on her own in 2009, former Vivian Girls/Crystal Stilts drummer Frankie Rose has sounded more self-assured and willing to take risks with each album. Herein Wild, which follows last year’s excellent Interstellar LP, is no exception. The album features more polished production, emphasizing the emergence of ornate instrumental details like cinematic orchestra shivers (“Cliffs As High”) and muted trumpets and strings (on the otherwise acoustic “Requiem”). As a singer, Rose is more confident in her ability to express varying depths of emotion; in particular, her slightly mysterious… more »

Nirvana, In Utero – 20th Anniversary Remaster

2013 | Label: Geffen

By Maura Johnston eMusic Contributor

09.24.13 Nirvana’s third album was burdened with expectations almost as soon as it was even an idea; the success of Nevermind, their 1991 breakthrough, thrust them under a high-performance microscope, onto the gossip pages, and into the rumor mill. Stories that In Utero, recorded by noise king Steve Albini, did not please the band’s label (because it was uncommercial) abounded in the months leading up to its release; Kurt Cobain told SPIN he felt like he was “stuck in a void” because of its tormented birthing process.

“Teenage angst has paid off… more »

Mazzy Star, Seasons Of Your Day

2013 | Label: Rhymes of an Hour Records

By Andrew Perry eMusic Contributor

09.24.13 Like a chimera in languorous opposition to earthly indie-rock, Mazzy Star was a beguiling apparition in an age of grubby grunge. Touring rarely and dispensing three-yearly studio albums out of the blue, they were an enigma in an era that rewarded only rock’s growlers, grafters and insatiable self-promoters.

Though they wound up on Capitol Records, their one hit, ’93′s “Fade Into You,” only seemed to define their elusiveness, thanks to David Roback’s hazy acoustic strum and Hope Sandoval’s wispy vocal melody. Mazzy was the kind of band whose music might soundtrack… more »