Harvey Milk- A Small Turn Of Human Kindness

released May 18, 2010 on Hydra Head Records

When I last visited Harvey Milk via the re-release of their self-titled album back in February, I was not sure to expect. It would be an understatement to say that it introduced me to a whole new world of music that I had previously been unaware of. To start things off, "*" is slow and haunting with an orchestral feel to it and a time-signature that moves along at a snail's pace. It's certainly reminiscent of what I heard on the re-release of their self-titled album. "I Just Want To Go Home" continues the same pace. By reading the press description, you will see that each song is meant to flow into the other. "I Am Sick Of All This Too" is shorter in length but once again, compliments the first two tracks. "I Know This Is No Place For You" attempts to modify the pace just slightly. "I Alone Got Up And Left" seems primitive in nature, starting off with drum beats that are spaced apart before breaking back into the pacing. The first minute and a half of "I Know This Is All My Fault" is nothing but silence before it breaks into more slow and prodding sludge with pauses and another break into silence at three minutes, thirty seconds in. At five minutes and thirty seconds in, a slow, haunting voice breaks out, followed by very low-key noise. "I Did Not Call Out" is the final track and it aims to tie up this album in an epic manner. It's no secret that I'm having trouble describing most tracks but in order to truly appreciate this album, you must listen to it from start to finish. It's always good when an album challenges a listener by merely throwing out musical roadblocks that impede the ability to categorize and name-drop. This is a beautiful album that follows in classic Harvey Milk tradition. In fact, the final track is reminiscent of "F.S.TP" from their self-titled album. Their sound has matured and so have they. Check out this album and before you play the first track, let go of any expectations that you have and just fall into the moment.

FCC: Check

Try: 1, 3, *5*, *7*

01. *

02. I just Want To Go Home

03. I Am Sick Of All This Too

04. I Know This Is No Place For You

05. I Alone Got Up And Left

06. I Know This Is All My Fault

07. I Did Not Call Out

4/5

Riotgod-Riotgod

released August 17, 2010 on Metalville Records

It's not often that an album like this falls into your hands. Riotgod is made up of Jim Baglino and Bob Pantella of Monster Magnet, Garrett Sweeny of Psycho Daisy and Mark Sunshine. Where to start? "Light Of The Sun" gets the joint..err..ball rolling with a tune that is very reminiscent of Black Sabbath, albeit slowed down even more, but no less epic. If there's a better way to start off such an album, I'd like to know about it. "Crusader" pretty much follows the same vibe. "The Time Is Now" changes it up slightly but otherwise, I'm sure you can see a pattern forming, albeit an enjoyable pattern that is. Being that Monster Magnet itself started off with influences such as Hawkwind, it's not a surprise to see that continuation with half of Monster Magnet present in Riotgod. "Pinata" is another great track that takes a heavy influence from Steppenwolf and modernizes it. The album seems to change up a bit with "Drone Station", taking on more of a grungy/sludgy feel to it, but without discarding the overall feel. "Love It Or Leave It" takes on a sound that's more reminiscent of Sonic Youth and the Smashing Pumpkins in nature, which is an interesting detour from the first half of this album. "Sweet Kaos" takes on an epic feel of sorts, echoing more of their influence from 60s and 70s rock with the riffs evoking equal parts Jimmy Page and Tony Iommi. The last half of this album returns to a slow, plodding pace with "Fangasm" being the strongest of the last four songs, smoothly tying together all of their influences into one neat package. In conclusion, I'm not sure how much more I could gush over this album. It's rare that an album like this comes along and seemingly ties up the loose ends between certain rock genres. An absolute masterpiece and quite possibly the best album of 2010!

FCC: Check

Try: ALL but especially 1, *3*, *8*, 9, *10*, *12*, *15*

01. Light Of The Sun

02. Crusader

03. The Time Is Now

04. Horizon

05. 9th Life

06. Omega

07. Collapsing Stars

08. Pinata

09. Drone Station

10. Love It Or Leave It

11. Rift

12. Sweet Kaos

13. High Time

14. Grand Design

15. Fangasm

16. Minds Eye

5/5

Leiana- Lucky #3

released May 18, 2010 on FOF/EMI

Leiana is a group comprised simply of singer Leiana, Rob Caggiano (Anthrax), Sean Danielson (Smile Empty Soul), Brett Scallions (Fuel, The Doors), and John Tempesta and Ken Schalk (Candiria). If you need further background, Leiana was influenced by 70s British punk and 80s So-Cal hardcore. These influences certainly show in the music. Upon first listen, I believe that Leiana has a style similar to singers such as Joan Jett, Lita Ford and to a lesser extent, Gwen Stefani. To start off this album, "Nothing=You" is fast paced and sounds similar to Bad Religion in style with just a slight hint of The Distillers as well. It's a good starting point for sure. Some tracks that piqued my interest are "Change" (similar in style but faster-paced), "Down To You" (very Green Day-esque in nature but that isn't a bad thing), "Love Don't Matter" (arguably a strong track), "Happy Now" and "I Don't Wanna Be" (another strong track that evokes Joan Jett and Pat Benatar among others). Basically, it's hard to describe Leiana's music without name-dropping but it's catchy, well-done and it will probably be mainstream before long if it isn't already. Certainly worth checking out if you like artists that take the best of the punk and hardcore genres and add a growl or two to the mix. I like Leiana and I don't see why you shouldn't either.

FCC: Check

Try: 1, 2, 3, *4*, 9, *12*

The Adicts- Life Goes On

released July 13, 2010 on People Like You Records

Here's something you don't see everyday: A new release from a classic punk group. Other than D.O.A, there haven't been many releases from older bands this year. If you're familiar with the British punk rock explosion of the late 70s, you may have heard of this band. Regardless, they have added some keyboards, synths and even violin to their sound and the band still consists of Kide Dee, Monkey, Pete Dee and Mel Ellis along with Scruff and Dan. "Spank Me Hard" has that classic Brit street-punk feel to it and certainly conveys that the The Adicts haven't really changed their sound much. One thing to note is that most lyrics are usually catchy, although they do seem to fall short in some places. As for the tracks I'd recommend?  "Freaky Deaky Boys & Girls" (very new-wave sound with cool lyrics), "Over There", "Gangster" (feels somewhat out of place but it is certainly a chance for them to experiment with their sound and create something very listenable in the process) and "Mr.Hard" (lyrics inspired by "A Clockwork Orange" and the sound is experimental in nature...slow and slightly eccentric). I like what I'm hearing and I should correct myself and mention that The Adicts were actually at the tail-end of the British punk explosion and beginning of the post-punk/new-wave movement of the time. Overall, certainly an album to check out and let's just say that if you like bands like The Ramones, Sham 69 and even New Model Army, you will enjoy this album.

FCC: 6,8,13

Try: 1,3,5, *7*, *12*

Sister Sin- True Sound Of The Underground

released June 22, 2010 on Victory Records

Sister Sin is a band from Gothenburg, Sweden that's been described as "street metal" and that moniker is actually quite appropriate. "Sound Of The Underground" opens up this album and it sounds strongly like early Motley Crue with female vocals, with a dash of Judas Priest and Budgie thrown in for good measure. It's like being transported back to the early 80s but without all of the frizzy hair. "Outrage" sounds more like a continuation of the first track and you'll want to spin it along with "Heading For Hell" (for some reason, reminds me a bit of Motorhead), "Times Aren't A-Changing" and "Beat Em Down". I don't really see much else to write home about but this is a fun album. It may seem a bit too formulaic for some but it's just nice to hear something different come out of Gothenburg other than the usual. Check it out.

FCC: 1,3,4,7

Try: 2, *5*, 9, 11

3.5/5

Kelly(ts) is Canadian born & has played extensively w/groups esp. big bands in US. Now based in Toronto. All compositions by members of group. Post bop.

As a child prodigy, Bob(p) was playing professionally by age 11 in Detroit jazz venues in the late 40s. He dropped in & out of the music scene until the late 70s when three long out of print LPs now account for the only documentation of Bob's work. He stopped performing for the last time in the late 80s. A footnote in the history of Detroit jazz which is worth a listen.