Emeralds – Does It Look Like I’m Here

Editions Mego (2010) While very enjoyable, last year’s What Happened was a somewhat ephemeral delight, awareness of its quality fading into the dark recesses of memory. Perhaps a very clever reference to the inherent temporary nature of beauty. Or not. Whatever the case, that fact occurred to this reviewer when listening to Does It LookContinue reading “Emeralds – Does It Look Like I’m Here”

Lightning Bolt – Earthly Delights

Load Records (2009) Lighting Bolt are a tough one to review. They have always been off in a world of their own. It’s a world of sky-riding, wonderful rainbows and hyper-magic mountains. A world where cover artwork is rendered lovingly, and innocently, to brilliantly detailed effect. Seriously, their sleeve art is clearly the portfolio ofContinue reading “Lightning Bolt – Earthly Delights”

Clutch – Strange Cousins From the West

Weathermaker (2009) Clutch, those grizzled Maryland rock veterans, have been kicking out various forms of jam since the early 90s. Their sound has taken in post-hardcore, aggro-stoner and retro boogie rock. Which makes us wonder: which Clutch will turn up this time? It’s pretty impossible to dislike Clutch, unless you dislike rock itself. Firm cultContinue reading “Clutch – Strange Cousins From the West”