Joshua Hammond

REVIEW TIMES TWO: Kevin Devine – ‘Bubblegum’ & ‘Bulldozer’

Artist: Kevin Devine Albums: Bulldozer & Bubblegum Genre: Indie Label: Devinyl Records / Favorite Gentleman / Procrastinate! It would be easy enough to get away with glossing over a Kevin Devine review. Realistically all it takes is tossing 500 buzzwords at a webpage, including phrases like Andy Hull, Jesse Lacey, and Bad Books. If you take the lazy way […]

REVIEW: Driver Friendly – Peaks + Valleys

BAND: Driver Friendly ALBUM: Peaks + Valleys LABEL: Hopeless Records GENRE: Power-Pop, Indie Rock With hooks flying and an energy surrounding them that could wear out any sugar-high, hyperactive pre-teen, Driver Friendly is not only selling you their music with their latest release Peaks + Valleys, they’re selling you a work ethic. Both onstage and […]

REVIEW: The Strokes – Comedown Machine

Band: The Strokes Album: Comedown Machine Label: RCA Genre: Garage Rock If the whole of your research were to stem strictly from the interwebs, one would have to surmise that The Strokes’ new album Comedown Machine was, without question, the worst album ever created in the history of modern music. This, however, is nothing more […]

REVIEW: Allison Weiss – Say What You Mean

Artist: Allison Weiss Album: Say What You Mean Label: No Sleep In terms of love, there are two distinctly different industry approaches. There is of course the Hollywood viewpoint, which is packed full of hopefulness, armpit-deep in smitten and founded on long walks on the beach. This is the same industry that had made both […]

SXSW 2013: A Survival Guide

In preparation of South By Southwest (SXSW), the music industry’s most epic and grueling music festival, I felt inclined to make a list of advice and suggestions that I wish that someone had told me in 2009, as I headed into the event. So to all of you SXSW rookies out there, read the following: […]

REVIEW: Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob

Artist: Tegan and Sara Album: Heartthrob Genre: Indie/Pop Is there anything more refreshing than watching a band or musician come to terms with who they are? Following their career as they age and mature can honestly be as inspiring as watching your kids grow. That said, Tegan and Sara have finally become full-fledged adults. On […]

REVIEW: Biffy Clyro – Black Chandelier EP

Artist: Biffy Clyro Album: Black Chandelier EP Genre: Post Hardcore, Alternative Label: 14th Floor Records Stereotypes are the worst, aren’t they? Without reason they leave you branded with a certain stigma or personality that may not necessarily be indicative of you, yet any effort to change or shake these conventionalized ideas often results in their […]

REVIEW: Beach Fossils – Clash the Truth

Artist: Beach Fossils Album: Clash the Truth Genre: Indie, Lo-Fi, Surf-rock Label: Captured Tracks Musically speaking, Dustin Payseur is anything but lazy. The proof is right there on the mix of Clash the Truth, the sophomore release from pet project Beach Fossils.  The album shoulders enough strong musical structures to demand notice while suggesting just […]

UTG Interview: ZZ Ward

With her bold voice and charming personality there is absolutely no reason why ZZ Ward should not take over the world. With a bluesy sound spliced softly with hip-hop and protest singer influences, Ward seems to come at you from all angles. Sure, her sound can effortlessly be written-off as resembling Adele and Amy Winehouse, […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Green Day – ¡Tré!

Artist: Green Day Album: ¡Tre! Genre: Punk(ish) Realistically speaking, following my first listen to ¡Tré!, the third installment of the latest Green Day trilogy, I should have rejoiced with a sizable party of family and friends. Having embraced and approved of all 12 of the tracks on the album, I honestly should be god damned […]

REVIEW: Kid Rock – Rebel Soul

Artist: Kid Rock Album: Rebel Soul Genre: Something Since I have always prided myself on writing reviews with an unapologetic and honest tone it is only fair that I also admit that there was a time that I not only owned but enjoyed Kid Rock. Those were confusing times comprised of angst and wardrobes from […]

REVIEW: Green Day – Dos!

Artist: Green Day Album: Dos! Genre: Punk(?) In a perfect world there would be no pillars to fall from. Expectations would be modest and reasonable, directed to the task at hand. Take for example Green Day, who has spent the last 18 years living in the shadow of their best-selling album Dookie. The trio honestly […]