Well hell. What is a beginner music critic to do when reviewing the work of a friend and peer? And what’s more, what to do when this friend has consistently put out really lovely songs for what seems like forever? The answer? I reckon it’s to listen closely and disassociate any and all personal feelings, right? Ok, here goes: Although bands like Lagwagon, Eve 6 and Descendents don’t often get lumped together, for the purposes of this review, it fits. Just bear with me. Each has a unique...

Screamed verses and sung choruses are becoming the norm in today’s brand of Metalcore and, as long as it’s executed deftly, I have no problem with it. It plays on the dynamic of two very disparate approaches and attitudes, and the juxtaposition between the two makes for some interesting works. Enter Love Like Enemies and their new release, “The Wasp and the Spider”. Aggressive, impressive and impossibly guttural, the vocalist chugs forth like a locomotive fueled by anger, and the instruments...

The Carringtons are a damn good band. Sure, they play a certain brand of lo-fi garage-driven rock à la The Strokes and Band of Horses, and that particular genre may often be unfairly judged “too cool” or “pretentious” by modern listeners, but I beg to differ. It takes a certain swagger and confidence to pronounce “still” and “there” in such a way as to make them rhyme. It’s stylish and smooth, and somehow sounds right. In my humble opinion The Carringtons sidestep being labeled hipsters by...