Category Archives: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Album reviews.

Preemptive Strike :: Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice Releases Lead Singles From ‘A Memoir Called Noir’

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One of the purest senses of joy I experience is releasing new art into the world.  It’s been since late 2015 that I released any music, one of the longest gaps in my music making career.  I spent 2016 recovering from a wave of personal setbacks, and 2017 was focused on getting momentum going in my film career.  During both of those years, however, I never stopped writing, and as Fall of 2017 approached, I was beginning to form my upcoming release : A Memoir Called Noir.

Recording has gone smoothly, and I am now in the process of mixing songs while I wait for a handful of guest verses to arrive.  In the meantime, I thought I would begin the promotional rollout, hence the release of the lead singles : Kickstart, a song about personal responsibility in the light of an ever-changing world; and Fifth Estate Amendment, a song about learning to be a wise risk-taker.  These are extremely simplified explanations, but hopefully, you will be able to make your own connections to the material.  Expect A Memoir Called Noir no later than March, hopefully, and then be on the lookout for the instrumental album also to be released in 2018, This Town Has Turned To Dust.

-chief

Scary Hours :: Cunabear Presents ‘Sidequest 01’

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Virgil Wolfe has proven to be not only a man of considerable talent, but a man of good taste as well.  If he recommends a piece of music, it is definitely not meant to be taken lightly.  When he recently posted about sidequest 01, a project from Savanna, Georgia-based cunabear, I was so fascinated by the cover art that I had to listen.  Needless to say, I was not disappointed.  The music is as textured and mysterious as the album cover, and the beats take you to some very distinct places in regards of mood.  Definitely top notch work.

-chief

More Doom :: George VonDoom Talks ‘Power’

Austin has a vast and diverse cross section of MCs.  Some spit bars about money, some drop knowledge, and some are abstract.  Some, such as George VonDoom, find ways to touch upon several areas, each with equal passion.  Power finds VonDoom in video form talking about the main aspect that keeps him a head above his competition.  The beat is a nice, dense, driving production that works perfectly for the forceful lyrics, and the blend of lights throughout the video give it an MK Ultra mind control vibe.  Very cool work from an artist holding it down for the Austin underground.

-chief

Connected Spirits :: The Vapors Caves Emerge, Release ‘Who Are You?’

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BoomBaptist and Yadira Brown are not strangers when it comes to combining forces.  After a few one-off collaborations, and the work both have done with Keeper, I am sure I am not the only one happy to hear about The Vapor Caves coming into existence.  The duo will most certainly be a formidable one on the scene, with Boom‘s skillful tracks providing the perfect foundation for Brown‘s soothing vocals and thought-provoking lyrics.  If the first single, Who Are You?, is any indication of the group’s potential, then we’ve got plenty to look forward to in the years to come.

-chief

Hustle Sounds :: Tory.D Productions Drops ‘FLY BEAT TAPE’

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There’s a beat renaissance going on, and Austin seems to be hip to it.  I could go on for days talking about quality beatsmiths in my hometown.  My latest discovery is Tory.D Productions, creator of soundscapes that seem to tell stories within each song’s run time.  FLY BEAT TAPE is a 7-song collection of textured and moving instrumentals that offer more than your standard boom bap elements.  Essentially, Tory.D Productions is making collections of songs, minus the lyrics.  His work is definitely worth checking out, and I recommend doing so sooner than later.

-chief

Wise Words :: Syllable Releases ‘Rep My City’ Mixtape For 2018

Syllable has been on the Austin hip-hop scene for a number of years, and throughout that time, he has continued to create and support.  Rep My City, his first mixtape in quite a while, shows Syllable reflecting on that time and those experiences, and the result is both a display of gratitude and a blueprint for possible success.  The vibes are positive and honest throughout, the production provides a number of different looks, and overall, the project upholds its name.  This is definitely a solid way to set off 2018 for Syllable, and here’s to hoping that things continue to move in positive directions.

-chief

Solo Soul :: Image Steps Out On ‘Someone You Discover’

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After putting in many years of work with The Lower Class, MC and soundsmith imaGenius has ventured into the solo realm with the release of Someone You Discover.  The project was 3 years in the making, and the vast range of sounds and ideas found within it is a testimony to that time and dedication.  From song to song, thoughts grow, are handed off from track to track, are left for the listener to resonate, and amidst all of that, the ever changing range of sounds and instruments keeps us guessing and anticipating the next song.  The beautiful album artwork is the cherry on top of a true sonic treat.  Definitely listen to this one, share it around, and give image (imaGenius) some support if you can afford to.  You know… for the culture.

-chief

Wise Words :: Magna Carda’s ‘COFFEE TABLE TALK VOL. ONE’ Now Available

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Since the days of their inception, Austin-based hip hop crew Magna Carda has done nothing but continue to grow, collect props, and garner respect from peers, fans and critics.  COFFEE TABLE TALK VOL. ONE finds the group continuing in the ways that we have all come to know and love.  The music is refreshingly addictive and expressive, the lyrics are creative and heartfelt, and the only thing lacking on this project is more songs.  Hopefully, the follow-up(s) come sooner than later, because this taste most certainly has me hungry for more.

-chief

Organized Noise :: Blank Hellscape Unleashes ‘Demo 2017’

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Austin-based industrial/noise duo Blank Hellscape decided to close the door on 2017 with a bang.  New Year’s Eve brought the release of Demo 2017, a 6-song set (4 via Bandcamp) that is a statement project if I’ve ever heard one.  If I had to guess, ‘demo’ is being used ironically in this context, because these tracks have body to them, and are quite arresting.  For those into heavy rhythm, boundary pushing and raw emotion in their music, Blank Hellscape is like hitting the jackpot.  Give it a listen, a share, and donate a few bucks if you can, because supporting local and independent music helps us all.

-chief

Relocated Rhythm :: ‘A Collection Of Sounds’ From Out Of Place

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In October of 2017, Austin (by way of Nashville) hip-hop crew Out of Place dropped their latest project, A Collection of Sounds.  The album is not only a celebration of their collective nature, it is also an ode to collaboration, as a handful of solid MCs find their way onto the project.  Guest verses from Love SpaceWick-It The InstigatorDenice KingTenci and Ufulu Child bolster top notch production from the crew (plus guest production from Loot Tester and Lucky Punch).  The thoughts shared are complex, but presented in a way so easy to relate to that you realize you more than likely share many of the same lines of thought.  Although this was a 2017 release, I recommend checking this out as a good way to get your 2018 going.

-chief