Tag: Alternative

The Smashing Pumpkins – [2000] MACHINA II / The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music

A true case of an underground release. Uncompromising hard rock, akin to Nine Inch Nails marrying AC/DC, straight from vinyl.

Wed, 29th Jan 2020
Colt – [2006] Colt

Old gem from a former German netlabel.

Wed, 13th Mar 2019
Emerald Park – [2011] Reality Bites EP

Radio-compatible guitar pop rock. Three relaxed songs from Sweden.

Wed, 1st Nov 2017
Lorenzo’s Music – [2017] Cool ships and heat exchangers

(Un)conventional alternative rock. With netlabel blocSonic, it’s hard to not be impressed. I adore how they keep publishing consistently solid to exceptional albums and compilations year after year. The word conventional is meant as a compliment. Although it is not strictly correct: the use of brass instruments and synth sounds clearly is an exception to…

Wed, 5th Jul 2017
Chronique – [2008] A Gate to All Secrets

Solid alternative rock. A German band, both German and English lyrics, and broad musical influences: traces of new wave, gothic, and metal can be heard throughout the 11 tracks.

Wed, 22nd Jun 2016
Dr. Mindflip – [2014] Every Waking Moment

Quirky indie pop. Netlabel blocSonic keeps to its mission to deliver solid indie music, this time in form of swingy pop tunes. Acoustic instrumentation (drum, piano, bass, acoustic guitar) + vocals create a solid soundstage and 4 slightly eclectic songs.

Wed, 20th Aug 2014
The Dada Weatherman – [2008] The Green Waltz

Tender vocals, acoustic guitar. Dada is a talented musician from Paris, gifted with a great voice and sense for the right chords. Equipped with piano, acoustic guitar and occasional percussion, he sings his way through 15 tracks. It seems that he calls himself now Dada & the Weathermen, has released three more acoustic albums on…

Wed, 14th Aug 2013
Meanwhileproject.ltd – [2008] Today is Sunday

Folky instrumental guitar rock with a dash of Pink Floyd. Today is Sunday is the first solo release of the Cologne-based artist M. Adam with his Meanwhileproject.ltd. Electronic bits add flavour to background-music chord textures. Great during, but also after work!

Wed, 5th Jun 2013
Studbaker´s Blacksmith Shop – [2011] Excuse me, are you sick?!

This band was brought to me by the now discontinued Free Music Charts (archive) over at darkerradio. The Bavarian band shares genes with Pandoras.Box (review on their album Barriers) from the same region. Their music can be described as edgy, slightly rough alternative rock. Production value is exceptional; recording and mix sound superb. I selected…

Wed, 6th Mar 2013
William Wilson – [2011] Summer Holidays and Folk Routine EP

William Wilson that is easy to listen to, but hard to describe. Take some soft alternative Rock, add small drops of Electro, Jazz, Classic at selected spots. It is released at Lophophora Williams, a young netlabel with five releases since 2010. If you like what you hear here, look into their catalogue!

Tue, 10th Apr 2012
Lunatic Scale – [2011] VII

The Clinical Archives is one of the major netlabels out there. While most of their releases are too experimental for my taste, over 400 releases allowed me nevertheless to find some good ones. VII by Lunatic Scale is fresh, melodic alternative (or mainstream) Rock from Russia. Three sweet tracks, short and good.

Wed, 30th Nov 2011
Colida – [2006] Eyes Shut and Ears Wide Open

Colida is a hard alternative rock band. And pretty good at it. This release at the German netlabel analog und ehrlich was recorded in 2005 in Oldenburg and is Colida’s third album. It only has four tracks, but those are worth the download. Fast, driving riffs, dry drums and a great voice — what else…

Sun, 2nd Oct 2011