Sadistik: Ultraviolet [Album]

So, your favorite indie rocker’s favorite rapper is back!  Already!  It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was feeling amazed by 2013’s Flowers For My Father.  And honestly, the album hasn’t really left my regularly scheduled playlists to date.  But, the diligence and constant artistic efforts of Sadistik are impossible to ignore, especially when he releases such an amazing record as Ultraviolet almost directly (well, figuratively directly, anyway) after releasing one of the finest hip hop records I have ever heard.

Ultraviolet has so many high points, it’s almost not fair to point them out individually.  There are a few things missing from the record that I would have loved to see (appearances from Kristoff Kane, Bodi, Cas One, etc.) but I know the back story of this album, and I now that this album was oh-so-carefully constructed in the mind of Cody Foster a.k.a. Sadistik, that I easily set my own bullshit personal wishes aside, and enjoy the beautiful things about this amazing album.  First of all, “In the Night” is by far the most brilliant piece of work I have heard from this fucking guy to date.  I simply can not get enough of it.  Second, we get to hear from Trainwreck’d Society’s 2012 Person of the Year, Anna Lynne Williams, a.k.a. Lotte Kestner, once again on “Chemical Burns”.  Which, oh-so-incredibly, features the late wonderful artist Michael “Eyedea” Larsen, who is also no stranger to the TWS world, and more importantly one of the single greatest hip hop artist to have ever lived, and was taken from us far too quickly.  Finally…. guest appearances from legends like Sticky Fingaz and Tech N9Ne on “Death Warrant”….are you fucking kidding me?  Such brilliance!  Throw a wonderful cameo with Yes Alexander, some return production from Kid Called Computer, and Sadistik continuing to spit his wonderful poetry just as well, if not better than, as he always does, and you may very well have one of the finest records of 2014.  Easily the finest hip hop album of the year, but Sadistik’s music extends beyond the idealism of any sort of genre.  This is indeed hip hop, but more importantly, this is art.

You can stream Ultraviolet now at DJBooth.net.  Official release date is July 1st, and you can pick up a copy for yourself right HERE.

The Verve Pipe: Overboard [Album]

A couple of summers ago I attended another Pig Out In the Park at Riverfront Park in Spokane, Washington just as I had several times throughout my youth and during my 3 year stint living in the city.  But the summer of 2012 was very different.  That year a blast from my past was performing, and I knew I had to be front and center.  The Verve Pipe was there to rock the park like few have done in the past.  And at some point it occurred to me just how surreal it was to be standing in the middle of this park with my wife and three daughters, hearing “Freshman” live and in person, when it seemed like just yesterday that I was rolling around this very city with my old man hearing this wonderful track routinely played on the down extinct Z-Rock, and falling in love with these guys.  For 90’s kids, you won’t be surprised that I used to sit next to the radio, blank cassette tape on deck, just waiting to get a chance record both “Freshman” and “Photograph”.  And of course, saving my allowance to run to the nearest Sam Goody on the Tuesday that Villains dropped.  Remember when we had to do that?  Well it has been quite a few years since Villains, and 13 years since The Verve Pipe dropped their last album, Underneath, but the boys are back!  And I will be hot damned if their latest release doesn’t take me right back to those good old days of Z-Rock and rocking out in Riverfront Park.

The Verve Pipe is a band that you absolutely must see live to truly appreciate it.  But, we all know this isn’t always possible (although they are constantly on tour!), so they have been oh so kind to put their brilliance on wax, and produced an amazing new album with their latest release, Overboard.  Tracks like “Here In the Dark” and “I Want To Bury You” are very reminiscent of their glory days in the 90’s, while “Carry On” brings us back around to 2001 with their signature pop rock sound that is simply delightful.  Whether you are a long time fan of The Verve Pipe, just discovering them, or just like damn good music, Overboard is a brilliant work of art that simply must be admired.

Recently I reviewed the latest release from Cowboy Mouth, and I made a statement about the mixed bag of emotions there is in learning of new releases from some of your favorite artists from the past.  Well, much like Cowboy Mouth, this is yet another band from my youth that is an obvious exception.  These cats simply rock, no matter what decade they are in.  And Overboard is a brilliant album that could forge a brilliant set list on its own, voiding “Freshman” all together.  Although, admittedly, I was a giggling fool when I finally got to hear it live on that beautiful summer day in 2012.  But, times have changed, and a new era is upon us.  And The Verve Pipe are going to be here to usher it all in.  And that is a damn good thing!

Head on over to the band’s WEBSITE to find out how you can pick up a copy of Overboard for yourself.

Cowboy Mouth: Go! [Album]

I have been listening to Cowboy Mouth for just about as long as I can remember…anything at all.  This is a band that has been rocking shows and shaking up worlds for a ridiculous amount of years.  And with each passing year, they are showing no signs of slowing down.  This may be a band that saw its start of success during the happy-go-sadly days of the 90’s, but they have proven time and again that their music is absolutely timeless.  And after a dozen studio albums and countless live shows viewed by millions, their legacy is one that will truly never be forgotten.

Cowboy Mouth’s most recent album, Go!, might seem to be just another simple addition to an already vast and impressive catalog of music.  This wouldn’t be entirely a bad thing, but it would also be false.  Go! might very well be one of the most fun albums these guys have ever released.  It is loud, respectfully abrasive, and just so much damn fun!  If you need an example, check out “My Little Secret”, and try to tell me that these NOLA masters of entertainment don’t know a thing or two about rocking the hell out.  Go!  is indeed very reminiscent of days passed for Cowboy Mouth, but it definitely stands on its own two feet as a beautiful work of art.  Even on a more heart-felt track like “Where’s The Rain”, Fred LeBlanc and crew seem to demand some sort of swaying, emotional body movements.

Being a 90’s kid, it is always a sort of mixed bag of emotions when you see bands you loved 15-20 years ago continue to put out work.  I’m always proud of them, and usually always love the music!  Talent does not die out with trends, it is forever.  But, the downside is in the live performances.  Seeing a band being pigeon-held to certain tracks and moments of their lives that they may have grown apart from, but know damn well they can’t get away with NOT playing that “one song”.  I bring this up here only because Cowboy Mouth seems to definitely be the anti-matter of this theory.  This is a crew that has built their entire success around being energetic, talented, and the masters of a damn good time!  Every Cowboy Mouth show is an experience, and every track is a hit.  Cowboy Mouth is that sort of band that you can put on shuffle in your iTunes, and be damn certain that one of their “good” songs is going to come on next.  This is a band that has broken the stigma that they could have easily fell victim to, and decided to say, “Nah, we’re just going to rock!”  And rock they have, and we should all feel so damn fortunate for their presence, and that after all these years, they can still manage to release one of the finest rock n roll records of the year!

Pick up your own copy of Go!, and find out when Cowboy Mouth will be performing in a city near you (chances are that they surely will be!), at the band’s WEBSITE.

Grynch: Street Lights [Album]

There isn’t a much better feeling than watching one of your favorite artists move on up, and up, and beyond!  It has been about 5 years since I came across this weird little white dude from Ballard, Washington that wanted to do this rapping thing.  He passed along a few free downloads of some EP’s and I thought I would give it a fair listen.  And as I was not expecting, the motherfucker blew my mind!  And this smooth cat is the very John Overlie, a.k.a. Grynch.  And over the last 5 years, he has flourished as one of the finest hip hop artists in the game today.  And with his latest release, Street Lights, he proves once again that he deserves your respect and adoration with what is definitely his finest work to date.

One of my favorite older tracks from Grynch is the highlight from his Something More EP, ‘Take A Trip”, which is basically a beautiful lyrical blow job to the city of Seattle.  But after listening to “My City’s Filthy” on this new joint, it is clear that some growth was needed, and definitely happened.  With each release, these cat just continues to grow in all the right areas without losing the lyrically inclined positive stigma that has made him a hero in the Northwest.  There is an obvious sense of humbleness in Grynch’s words.  Never before have I heard an artist who genuinely appears to be so damn grateful for the opportunities that have been put in front of him.  Besides being one of the finest releases this year, Street Lights is a beautiful example of what perseverance and determination can create.

It is very hard to not listen to an album like this without feeling a great sense of pride that can be compared to watching a son or daughter grow into a full blown man or woman.  The success that Grynch has built around previous tracks like “My Volvo” or “Mister Rogers” could appear to be the mastering of self deprecation at it’s finest, which could be arguable, but this idea has to be moot when you throw in the fact that this is such a talented man with skills that are absolutely undeniable.  And it says a lot about this day and age when being humble is a positive aspect in the world of hip hop.  And if this is to be the new ways and means of hip hop, Grynch is an obvious contender for king of this rap shit.

Head on over to GetGrynch.com to pick up a copy of Street Lights and much more!

Infidelix: Nomadic [Album]

It has become a new and strange time for the world of hip hop lately.  Although there has always been a claim that “lyricism” is a major part of the art form, we all know that is bullshit.  If this were truly the case, so much of what we hear on the radio wouldn’t be so god damn terrible.  Thankfully though, I believe that lyricism is actually becoming important, and acting as a main stay in the world of hip hop.  And one of the finest warriors in the fight for lyrical importance is none other than Infidelix.  And he has something truly wonderful to share with you on his latest release, Nomadic.

With that being said, must of us who care to do some research know that there are truly talented folks out there who make hip hop a legitimate art form.  Sure it is vile at times, but isn’t that life?  And an artist like Infidelix exemplifies just how great this whole game can be.  Nomadic is not simply another collection of foul mouthed puns or a shameless collaborations of ironic metaphors.  This is an album that reads like a personal journey through the depths of one man’s soul that has been spread out on paper and later recorded to create a permanent record in history.  “Better Days”, which features a couple of nice cameos from the likes of artists Funzo and Leiko, is a prime example of this theory.  It would be difficult and ridiculous to not love such compassion and commitment to saying something so obviously personal as Infidelix has done with this wonderful record.

We have spent a lot of time here at Trainwreck’d Society showcasing the world of independent and/or alternative hip hop.  So much time that it may come off as pleading.  But, I truly believe it is an at form that deserves and needs to be showcased appropriately.  It is artists like Infidelix that make the struggle worth showcasing.  Here is a guy that truly lives what he says.  For example, this cat is currently on a “nomadic” journey throughout Europe with the intention of spreading the good word of hip hop across the globe, and of course, pulling the stunt of selling CD’s out of the proverbial trunk all over the world.  He has already had quite a journey, and should definitely be commended for his efforts and accomplishments, although he is only getting started.  And with a brilliant album like Nomadic in tow, his future is nothing if it not bright!

To learn more about Infidelix’s journey, check the updates at his blog Infidelix Goes Nomadic, and find out how you can help fund this incredible journey right HERE.

Violent Psalms: Slow To Speak [Album]

Surprise, surprise good TWS readers!  I am awe-struck by yet ANOTHER wonderful indie rock band from, you guessed it, the great city of Portland, Oregon.  Seriously, John Oliver can say whatever he wants, but Portland is and will hopefully always be known as the hub of some of the finest indie rock in the planet.  And it simply doesn’t get much better than Violent Psalms.  This new founded act fronted by long time Portland based musician Ezekiel J. Rudick is yet another prime example of the beauty that comes from the city of fugitives and refugees.  And in a perfectly meticulous fashion, these smooth cats (even though their band name sounds metal as fuck, just saying) have released a brilliant 7-track album, Slow To Speak, for their fine listeners to take their brilliant sound into their own homes and away from the awe-inspiring live shows that have been creating quite a buzz throughout the City of Roses.

And in yet another perfect Portland fashion, Violent Psalms is yet another wonderful act that surrounds themselves with great friends who are just as immaculately talented.  The play often with fellow break out bands like Dedere and Grandhorse (both of which have been featured here at TWS), even having Dedere frontman Jared Brannan provide vocals all over Slow To Speak.  It is bands like these fine folks that make continue to make it even worth listening to music any more.  And Violent Psalms still manage to individualize themselves with a sound that is reminiscent of the happy-go-sad moments of the 90’s, when it was cool to be talented.  While it is not nice to compare a band, I can’t help but feel the tingly sensation that Dinosaur Jr. used to give when a song like “Sleeping Pills” kicks off and lives my attention directed only on the beautiful words and almost jazz like alternative guitar work that is nothing short of a brilliant signature for Violent Psalms.

Violent Psalms is without a doubt one of my favorite bands to emerge this year, and a group that I truly hope sticks it out and continues to create their own brilliant art together for years to come.  Slow To Speak will easily be one of those albums that will always be a “go to” album when you really can’t figure out what to listen to in those late night/early morning hours when you aren’t feeling to eclectic, but not entirely disturbed.  Or maybe when just for cleaning your apartment.  Or you know, whenever the hell ever.  That’s right folks, Violent Psalms is an amazing new band that desires, and definitely deserves your god damn attention.  And you should definitely feel fortunate enough to give that to them.

Slow To Speak will be released on May 16th, 2014.  And as we mentioned, this is a band with some great friends.  And on May 16th, the Violent Psalms Album Release Show will be happening at the Alhambra Theatre in Portland Oregon, featuring Dedere, Grandhorse, and the Seattle based indie rockers Western Haunts.  I suggest you get yourself there.

Sam Cregger: Tell Me Something Different [Album]

I know that I tend to say the same thing about every singer/songwriter that is featured here at Trainwreck’d Society.  But, I swear to you, I truly mean each and every word, and I don’t feel as though I have ever meant to give as much praise to an artist as I intend to do for the immaculate singer/songwriter and master of the storytelling song Sam Cregger and his amazing new album Tell Me Something Different, which is undoubtedly the finest indie country-folk album I have heard in quite some time, and definitely the finest of 2014.

Tell Me Something Different is a beautiful collection of Conway Twitty meets The Head and The Heart sort of hipster sadness intertwining with draft beer/dance party happiness.  Each track is individually wrapped with either specific dimensions that are perfectly aligned to create some of solidarity emotion.  I am personally fond of the heart-wrenching love ditty “Doubts”, that could really strike your heart in the most positive and/or negative way.  But, that is just how the dear Sam Cregger works when he has a tale to tell.  Steel guitars and acoustic slowness clash together like emotional magnets, until the strong hand of a brilliant folksmith like Cregger makes them work together.  And hot damn, how can you not simply begin to feel yourself swoon for someone or something when “Still Love” rips through your heart?  Tell Me Something Different may not be something entirely different from some of the classic country folk jingles you have heard in city coffee shops or in a country bar in South of Nowhere, Virginia, but that doesn’t keep this brilliant album from be special, and yes, different.

Yes, it is suffice to say that Tell Me Something Different is a brilliant singer/songwriter who is finding his voice while he perfects a long loved art, providing that he is an incendiary in the field as those who have song and strummed before him.  It is only realistic to state here and now that Sam Cregger is destined for greatness, and has proven his talents as worthy and respectable in nature.  But, I have a distinct feeling that we will be singing a whole new tune in the coming decade, as the world begins to become even more acutely aware of the genius that is living deep in the plums of Sam Cregger.  Tell Me Something Different is a wonderful album, but it truly feels like the very beginning of a brilliant musician mastering his craft, and it would behoove all who hear his words to stay tuned in the years to come.  Sam Cregger is destined for greatness, and is destined to be the guy who will make you say, “I knew him when……”.  But right here, in this very moment, just appreciate the gold he has given you, and be damn grateful for the opportunity to hear one of today’s finest folk acts trotting the globe today.

Tell Me Something Different is available NOW!  Head on over to Sam Cregger’s website to pick up a copy of this amazing album for yourself!

Tacocat: NVM [Album]

I’m not much for loudness.  I have to admit this right off before even beginning to speak of Tacocat’s last album, NVM.  I am more prone to listen to calming indie folk over loud pop-punk clatter.  But, there are always exceptions.  Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children Macnuggits are one of them.  And yet an even further stretch from my regular listening is the female fronted (and 3/4 total having vaginas) and absolutely brilliant Tacocat.  In the vain of Hot Pants Romance and so many other brilliant pop punkster, this is band that anybody can love, no matter how scared we are of the powers of the loud.

NVM takes all of one large cup of coffee to listen too.  Each track is fast paced and packed with excitement.  And underneath the happy go lucky attitudes, there is a plethora of great stories to be told.  Dancing with rainbows, surfing, snow days.  Just as Tacocat is in sound, these songs are all about fun!  Even when the subject matter may be horrifying, it still makes me smile!  How can you not smile whilst hearing what sounds like The Go Go’s dropped acid and drank 14 Red Bulls with no regard for their never going to die existence.

And as I mentioned in last year’s 12 For ’12, Tacocat is one of the funnest acts to see live.  I would give my favorite child’s soul to catch them playing these new songs live.  They’ve been around the country lately, including some stints at SXSW.  And they are soon to be making their way back to their homeland of Seattle, Washington soon.  But, not just yet!  I recommend you put on your finest dancing shoes and see these cats (all pun intended) live and in person!  You’d be a real schmuck if you were to miss seeing Tacocat live!

Remaining Tour Dates:

03.25.14 – Washington, DC – Velvet Lounge
03.26.14 – Baltimore, MD – The Metro Gallery
03.27.14 – New Brunswick, NJ – House Party
03.28.14 – Philadelphia, PA – Golden Tea House
03.29.14 – Brooklyn, NY – Death By Audio
03.30.14 – Boston, MA – House Party
03.31.14 – New York, NY – Hunter College
04.01.14 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Roboto Project
04.02.14 – Columbus, OH – Carabar
04.03.14 – Detroit, MI – Elijah’s
04.04.14 – Milwaukee, WI – Center St. Free Space
04.05.14 – Madison, WI – Rathskellar, University of Wisconsin Madison campus
04.06.14 – Chicago, IL – The Township
04.07.14 – Omaha, NE – Middle Haus
04.09.14 – Denver, CO – Rhinoceropolis
04.10.14 – Salt Lake, UT – Diabolical Records
04.11.14 – Boise, ID – The Crux
04.12.14 – Seattle, WA – ‘Mo-Wave

Find out more about this amazing band at their website.  You can also check out a band feature we did here at Trainwreck’d Society back in 2011.

Blue Skies For Black Hearts: Blue Skies For Black Hearts [Album]

They say nobody knows you like, you.  Well after reading the About section of Blue Skies For Black Hearts, I believe they know themselves very well when they describe their sound as a “five piece pop hammer straight to your brain hole”.  It also saddens me that I couldn’t have thought of that first.  I would have sounded so clever and witty.  But, alas it does not matter, BSFBH were absolutely right in the assessment in their own work.  I would add though, that they are also nailing in a bit of beautiful rhythm with said rock crusher.  And their self-titled debut is a brilliant collection of examples as to why we should be so lucky to endure such pain as a hammer to the head.

Lots of folks in the past have compared Blue Skies For Black Hearts to so many legendary acts that it has almost gotten ridiculous.  “John Lennon and Brian Wilson as one person”?  What does that mean?  I think I understand though.  I think people have lost site on what used to be important in rock and roll music.  Holding a god damned key!  A vocalist who can really harmonize not only with his fellow singers, but with the sound itself.  When I listen to “It’s Gone On To Long” from the latest self titled album, this is what I hear.  Their sound is classic in the sense of beautiful composition, yet still sounds as fresh as oven baked bread at 4:30 a.m.

And as it may come to no surprise to most of you, but Blue Skies For Black Hearts hails from the wonderful city of Portland, Oregon which seems to have a stronghold in reviews at this site.  But, that can be easily understandable considering the fact that Portland holds a stronghold in talent these days.  And Pat Kearns is definitely one of the finest songwriters of the region.  He has taken what started out as a solo project for himself, and added 4 more brilliant folks who all manage to work in beautiful unison, even now on their 4th album as a 5 piece.  And here is to hoping that there are many more to come, for I could listen to this brilliance until the end of time.

Blue Skies For Black Hearts will release their self titled album on July 29th 2014.  Head on over the band’s website to keep and catch up with their wonderful sound.

The Evangenitals: Moby Dick (or, The Album) [Album]

I was instantly drawn to The Evangenitals for the obvious reason that they have the coolest band name I have seen.  And then I heard them, and I found even greater reason to love them.  The band refers to their style of music as Avant-Appalachian Pirate-jazz, which I guess works.  I find that when it is too hard to categorize a band, there is probably a damn good reason for it.  And this is a band the blends just the perfect amount of weird and talent.  Their sound is unique, without being too disturbing.

On the band’s first release from Fluff and Gravy records,  Moby Dick (or, The Album), we get a fine taste of the perfectly peculiar styling that makes The Evangenitals a real gift to the indie music world.  To say the very least about this wonderful album would be to say that it is the strangest interpretation of Melville you will ever hear.  To say the very most, it is a real delight.  The surreal and fascinating tone of a song like “Shipwreck Blues” is just one example of why The Evangenitals may be one of the finest Americana-ish groups out there today, and why should all be paying attention to songwriter Juli Crockett and her beautiful band of merry men/women.

The Evangenitals’s debut album Moby Dick (or, The Album) will be released on March 18th 2014 on Portland, OR based Fluff and Gravy Records.