The Useless Critic 2.0

Listen, Some of you guys may not listen to thrash, but let's face it - preferring one form of music to another is basically racism.  So let's have a post about this Hatchet album I got in the mail last week, Fear Beyond Lunacy . This album came out in 2015 but considering my last post was about an album from 1988 I think this counts as contemporary.  Thrash as a genre is just a lot of fun.  A lot of bands now want to tweak it in fucking depressing ways with indiscernible vocals, but Hatchet doesn't do this.  The songs are catchy as hell, and I've done mad spins of this thing already.  This is what I wish Slayer sounded like in 2015.  Buy the album and let it rip.

Last month, Garbage finally released their sixth studio album, Strange Little Birds , which frontwoman Shirley Manson has described as being the band's "most romantic" to date, lyrically-wise. "I'm only ever vulnerable when I'm in love, and I never allow myself to be vulnerable. This record is incredibly open, honest and I find that difficult with regards to my own personal love affairs," Manson has stated in an interview . That quote resonates a lot with me. The album combines Garbage's signature grit with dark, moody, and cinematic soundscapes. While not as immediate as the band's previous offerings, it's still a welcome addition to the their excellent catalog. The standout for me is definitely "Magnetized." The band is no stranger to marrying punchy tunes with morose lyrics, and "Magnetized" is a shining example of that. The lyrics describe an ill-fated, possibly unrequited crush. "I'm not in lo...

First of all, happy Pride! I think this year, we need it more than previous years (well, the past several at least). I volunteered at Phoenix Pride earlier this year (it's in the spring because the summers are dangerously hot). It was a good experience; I hope to do more of it in the future. One of my all-time favorite favorite FAVORITE singers is putting out a new album entitled "The Bride." Yes, Natasha "Bat For Lashes" Khan. And honestly, I feel like this might be her best body of work to date. !!!    The album deals with the idea of a bride who loses her groom on the way to the chapel. From this point, she embarks on a quest through grief and self-discovery. It seems to be one of those albums you need to listen to from start to finish. That's not really a thing anymore, you know. Albums aren't tailored to be these cosmic experiences (Gwen Stefani, lookin' at you). CONFESSION: I have listened to "The Bride" already. NPR was ...

Initial impressions:  The Serpent's Egg by Dead Can Dance (1988). The strength of the first Dead Can Dance record is the tribal percussion that is disappointingly absent from most of The Serpent's Egg.  Literally the first 4-5 tracks have no percussion, and when the percussion kicks in it is an improvement but won't necessarily get your toes tapping.  Instead we are treated to vocal masturbation over organ reminiscent of church but dialed slightly towards the occult.  If that sounds appealing to you, I'd suggest The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath a Cloud instead.  The album does pick up later on, with the most standout track being Echolalia.  I will hang onto it and see if it is a grower.  If you want my recommendation, buy the 1984 self titled record instead.

Remember The Offspring before The Offspring became a weird parody of The Offspring?   Pretty sweet headbang moment where it picks up around 0:55. I don't know what this song is about but it's got a vibe that's kinda like wringing your gut out like a wet towel. When I was a kid I thought It's Raining Men was depressing as fuck before I tuned in to the lyrics so take that for what it's worth. This album (Ignition) and more so Smash occupy a little corner of my heart despite how embarrassing it feels to dig this band.

Just a quick plug for a band I was introduced to a few hours ago. Phoenix-based Snake Heart Society released their first single, "They Don't Want You," last month. If you're a fan of dark moody electronic pop music, you've come to the right place. I didn't even know Phoenix was capable of producing such a sound, but have a listen . I would recommend it for people who like Villa Nah. I know that is mostly a bunch of Finnish people, but still bears saying. Villa Nah are a tragically underrated band, BTW. I only give TLC to music I would honestly listen to without prompting, and I would certainly listen to Snake Heart Society. Which says so much because I'm kind of a snob when it comes to music. Well, except when it comes to DNCE. Shoutout to my love "Cake by the Ocean." Anyway, looking forward to hearing more from this project.

Following lead single " Empty ," which debuted last month, '90s alt-rockers Garbage have shared a lyric video for the second cut from Strange Little Birds , their first album in four years. In contrast to its anthemic, guitar-heavy predecessor, "Even Though Our Love Is Doomed" is a dark, moody and cinematic number featuring some bleak lyrics about longing for a special connection—no matter how pointless that might turn out to be. "And even though our love is doomed / And even though we're all messed up / You're the only thing worth fighting for / You're the only thing worth dying for," Shirley Manson broods amid eerie bass riffs and gloomy piano chords. Queen Shirley always gets me. My body is so ready to be slayed by their upcoming masterpiece. Strange Little Birds is out June 10. On a related note, the music video for "Empty" premiered last Monday.