KJNB Vault Album Review: EPA – Water Quality Report PSA
Artist: Environmental Protection Agency Album: Drinking Water. Know What’s In It For You Released: Self-released, 2004 I never realized the Environment Protection Agency was in the business of making music, but in the course of KJNB’s massive overhaul of our CD collection, I came across this one-of-a-kind release. When I saw it, I knew I [...]
Album Review: Zack Kouns – I Lift My Hands Against the Gods
Artist: Zack Kouns Album: I Lift My Hands Against the Gods Released: Self-released, 2009 Huh. Where to begin. Should I begin with what Mr. Kouns lists on his Myspace as some of his band members – “sensing man’s terrible seperation from himself,” “thin purplish scar,” “piers as empty as arms”? Or maybe his influences? “The [...]
Album Review: Conelrad – Sure Is The Risk Made
Artist: Conelrad Album: Sure Is The Risk Made Released: 2009 Conelrad, an electronic musician whose sound is heavily influenced by the Cold War, has been busy the past 2 years since the release of his first LP “Function Creep.” He has really refined his sound, making more sophisticated music, sometimes much darker than his earlier [...]
Album Review: The Monroe Transfer – I Dreamt I Was A Hammer and Everything Was Glass
Artist: The Monroe Transfer Album: I Dreamt I Was A Hammer and Everything Was Glass Released: 2009 The Monroe Transfer’s seventh album, comprising of a single song. Clocking in at about 20 minutes, I suppose you could more accurately call it an EP. Now, I could have sworn that I’d heard this song before. What’s [...]
Album Review: Sleepy Eyes of Death – Dark Signals EP
Artist: Sleepy Eyes of Death Album: Dark Signals EP Released: Sleep Capsule & Mass Mvmnt (dist.), 2009 Dark Signals is a collection of very good electronic tracks. Synthesizers tweedle and moan, guitars are distorted, and the drum line is intense in each of the songs. In the second track “Final Heart Beats Black” the band [...]
Album Review: Lights Out Asia – Eyes Like Brontide
Artist: Lights Out Asia Album: Eyes Like Brontide Released: n5md Records, 2008 Reviewer: Robert Lennon “Eyes Like Brontide” is difficult to classify into any single genre of music. It is a combination of post rock and shoegaze that doesn’t show up very often. The trio flex their muscles in this release, delivering well-constructed and enveloping [...]
Album Review: Bill & Kate Isles – Matching Baggage
Artist: Bill & Kate Isles Album: Matching Baggage Released: Little House Records, 2009 I was able to meet Bill and Kate when they came by St. John’s last year for the Swayed Pines Folk Festival, and they are very nice people. Kind-hearted, easy to talk to, really decent folks. This album really reflects that about [...]
Album Review: Murder By Death – Red of Tooth and Claw
Artist: Murder By Death Album: Red of Tooth and Claw Released: Vagrant Records, 2008 Reviewer: Robert Lennon A dark Americana version of “The Odyssey”, “Red of Tooth and Claw” showcases the strengths of Murder By Death, even if the songs are not particularly intricate. With the loss of original keyboardist Vincent Edwards, the band has [...]
Album Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Slow Riot for New Zerø Kanada
Possibly the most accessible release from Godspeed You! Black Emperor, this EP showcases all the marks that made the group so good and influential: musical dynamism, a focus not just on personal issues but cultural ones (exemplified by BBF3), and bone-breaking climaxes. If you haven’t yet, check this one out, I guarantee it will not disappoint.
Meet KJNB: Robert Lennon
Hi there! I’m Robert Lennon, one of the Web Coordinators here at KJNB, and also a DJ at the station. I’ve currently got the 11PM-Midnight slot on Thursdays for my show: Friar John’s Psalms. I’m also one of the reviewers here, and that’s what I would like to talk about right now. One of the [...]