IN REVIEW: The Temperance Movement - "White Bear"

-

What The Temperance Movement is doing isn't altogether special or unique; their brand of blues-rock revivalism is becoming increasingly prevalent in rock radio circles. That said, there's no denying the chops on display throughout their sophomore record. Phil Campbell is a quintessential frontman, his impassioned wails lifting most songs above the damnation of also-ran status. The supporting players are all able, the tunes are solid, and there are a few moments of pure rock bliss, most notably the soaring and emotional title track. Pile on some gritty guitars, a few sticky choruses, and you've got the textbook definition of an album that doesn't aspire to change the course of history but rather promises a no frills platter of satisfactory tunes and delivers upon it.

January 15, 2016 • Fantasy
Highlights Get Yourself Free • A Pleasant Peace I Feel • White Bear

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IN REVIEW: Hey Rosetta! - "Second Sight"

-
Image
There's a telling lyrical passage that stuck out to me upon listening to Newfoundland-based indie stalwarts Hey Rosetta's third full-length LP. During the uplifting, depression-battling anthem Cathedral Bells , singer Tim Baker exclaims, "the road is lit and I'm going home". It comes near the tail end of the album's most thrilling section of songs, during which the seven-piece (plus additional hands on deck for extra orchestration) take a formidable musical journey through several genres and moods. After exploring the arena-sized farthest reaches of Coldplay, the worldly rhythms of Vampire Weekend and the zealous, choral flourishes of Arcade Fire among others, it's the comfort of home that drives the group down the album's (pun intended, I suppose) home stretch. Long before we get to that point, however, we're treated to some of the band's most interesting material to date. The album starts with current single Soft Offering (for the Oft Suff...
Read more

Trent Reznor, You Glorious Scheming Bastard.

-
Image
As it turns out, something I said on this blog earlier this year had a little more resonance than I anticipated. From my January 15th article " What Are The Chances? ", where I gave a percentage chance for certain artists releasing a new album in 2013: 1% NINE INCH NAILS We know that Trent Reznor is gearing up to release How To Destroy Angels' debut. We also know that there's an Interscope-released Nine Inch Nails greatest hits collection being targeted for 2014, for which Reznor promises two new Nine Inch Nails songs. But, we also know Reznor likes to fuck with his fans and absolutely loved fucking with Interscope. What better way to do that than to bring out a brand new Nine Inch Nails record? What better way indeed? Surprise: A new #NIN album is finished, coming later this year on @ columbiarecords : tmblr.co/ZW-7vsm2kw_u #NIN2013 — Nine Inch Nails (@nineinchnails) May 28, 2013 Bravo, Mr. Reznor. I love it when a plan comes together. More on...
Read more