Alternative

SOLO SPOTLIGHT: REBA MEYERS

A few years back when I first heard the band Code Orange, the moment I heard Reba Meyers on the mic, I knew she was special. Not only could she play her guitar with the best of them, the way she brought those songs to life was something else. I remember even going to see Code Orange and walking away from that show thinking Reba was the best part of that band. Fast forward a bit to when Reba did guest vocals on the song “Lowered” off of Greg Puciato’s second solo album, Mirrorcell. That again was a sign that Reba was the real deal and I looked forward to what was to come next. Well recently there have been three singles released from Reba’s upcoming solo debut. The songs released “Certain Uncertainty,” “Get Your Hold On Me” and “Clouded World” have this really great atmospheric and alternative/indie vibe with a bit of psychedelia making for a really interesting listening experience. These songs also showcase what a great vocalist and lyricist Reba is. I personally can’t wait to hear more from Reba when her debut solo album is released later this year. In the meantime, you can see Reba killing it on stage as part of Marilyn Manson’s touring band.

Certain Uncertainty:

Got Your Hold On Me:

Clouded World:

Certain Uncertainity (Video):

Got Your Hold On Me (Video):

Clouded World:

Greg Puciato- Lowered (Featuring Reba Meyers):

Album Review: Iress- Solace

I’m sure we’ve all heard albums that have left a last impression on ones self. Sometimes these albums take us to different places be it in our minds, imaginations, etc. Then there are times when an album comes out that hits you at the right moment in all the right ways and it makes it feel like everything will be ok because of that album. A couple months back the band Iress, released the song “Ricochet” off their now released and utterly spellbinding and superb EP, Solace. The moment I heard that song, I knew there was something more to it than just a “dark/moody vibe.” What I found was a band that sonically devastates while at the same time draws you in seductively. Iress’s new EP, Solace is a piece of art and music that hypnotizes you while the words and vocals crawl under your skin and gives you the type of chills that you might find when you reach that moment of clarity. The life that these songs breathe is astounding. One of the most intriguing factors about Iress is their ability to utilize atmosphere and space to balance out the heavy nature of the songs. It’s a feeling you will notice as you listen. Through all the darkness on these songs, the hope and light found throughout is breathtaking. The depths these songs take you and the place it leaves you in the end is the light at the end of the tunnel. Fronted by Michelle Malley (aka The Adele Of Doom) her vocals and guitar take you on quite a journey of love, loss, pain, and anguish all while the band Graham Walker (guitar), Michael Maldonado (bass) and Glenn Chu (drums) create the soundtrack to all this and add the right sonic elements the leaves you breathless. Another aspect that makes this release so damn good is the production. Producer/Engineer/Mixer Alex Estrada (Touche Amore, Joyce Manor, etc) makes this all come to life by capturing the raw and emotional charged performances of each member. There is no mistaking the magnitude that Iress puts out and with this EP it’s not even close to where their potential lays. I personally can’t wait to hear what else this band does and goes musically. Solace is not just a superb release, it’s my favorite release of 2023. Congratulations to all involved in the creation and release of this masterful EP. Iress is here and they are coming for you! You can pick up your copy of the EP now via the one and only Dune Altar Records (one of the best indie labels around)!

Overall Rating: A

Iress- Solace:

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Review By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Contranistas

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The music world these days is full of interesting combinations. There are endless possibilities as to where you can take things as well as the countless different bands and styles you can take inspiration and influence from. In the rock world, electronic music has really become a prevalent force in where things are headed. So many bands have jumped on the bandwagon of using electronic elements but, so many of them really don’t know how to properly incorporate it into their sound the right way. Which brings me to the band of the week. Contranistas, a two piece band from Bakersfield, CA, have been developing a pretty fun and unique way to incorporate the electronic element along with some other cool styles like Post-Punk, Indie, and just straight up rock. By using a plethora of pedals and effects along with their collective influences, Contranistas have taken their inspired sound to new heights of loud, gloomy, psychedelic and a bit dancey. Dax Dominguez (bass/guitar/synth/loops) and Robert Morgan (drums/percussion) are packing quite a punch together and have made something that stands out among the generic and tired old electronic sounds you’d find in rock music today.

 

Contranistas- Xylonox:

Contranistas- Mantra:

 

 

Unsung Masterpieces Part 1: Tool- Undertow

Tool is one of the most artistic, innovative and creative bands to come out in the past 25 years. Each of their albums have left a mark with rabid fans eating up everything that they do. Tool’s catalog though short is very deep. The subject matter of lyrics and the depths that the music creates is not for the weak. You can tell the amount of time they band spent working on the songs is worth every second. Maynard’s vocal approach is undeniable his own. Many have tried to copy him but don’t come close. Adam Jones has one of the more intriguing guitar tones and styles. Danny Carey’s drumming is said to be created by seances and summoning sprits, to which is very believable especially with the odd time signatures. Originally on bass Paul D’amour created a bass tone that ripped through the songs with such ferocity that it became the driving force of quite a few songs. Now Justin Chancellor has taken that sound and progressed it to an etherial place. A lot can be said for what their masterpiece is. Some will debate that it is Aenima or Lateralus, Undertow is an unsung Masterpiece. Songs like Intolerance, Crawl Away, Bottom, Flood, and of course Sober all have such a well of emotion and insight into the inner workings of Tool. A bit of history about the album, Undertow was recorded between October and December 1992 at Sound City Studios, and at Grandmaster Recorders, Hollywood, California, by Sylvia Massy. Some of the songs featured on the album are songs that the band decided to not release on Opiate. Henry Rollins makes a guest vocal appearance on the song “Bottom.”

Take a listen again and see what you’ve missed out the first few times you listened to Undertow.

Undertow:

By: Brian Lacy