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Month: November 2023

Review: Taking Back Sunday – 152

Adam Grundy

There’s a lot to be said when a band takes a hiatus, re-shuffles their lineup, or just takes a breather to reset their focus on their music. 152 is the first album by Taking Back Sunday in seven years (with their last effort coming in 2016’s Tidal Wave), and arguably their best one yet. The album anniversaries of Tell All Your Friends and the upcoming 20-year mark of Where You Want To Be may have had a hand in TBS re-focusing their attention on their songwriting craft. There is also something to be said of the magic that happens when lead vocalist Adam Lazzara and guitarist John Nolan get in a room together to pen songs. 152 is a career-spanning love letter to the legacy Taking Back Sunday have built over their eight-album tenure, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

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The Helltones – “Don’t Waste My Time” (Song Premiere)

The Helltones
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new single from Oakland garage rock band, The Helltones, called “Don’t Waste My Time.” Much like the title implies, The Helltones get right down to the business at hand with a spiraling, nearly five-minute song that takes listeners on a thrilling ride. Primary songwriter Darwin Siegaldoud shared:

I co-wrote ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ with Victoria, the singer/organ player. She came up with the concept, and wanted to write a song about having her time wasted by an indecisive lover. As we’ve performed it, it’s taken on a wider meaning to me. We’re constantly having our time wasted by advertisers, scammers, or people who just don’t know what they want. This song is hers, and our message to those people.

The Helltones might just be the next most interesting band to take the music scene by storm.

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Review: Crossing I’s Dotting T’s – I Used To Be

Adam Grundy

The debut LP by rock band Crossing I’s Dotting T’s is a grunge-filled love letter to bands like Deftones, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots. I Used To Be has a variety of song types, and more often than not, it hits its intended target. When I last sat down with the lead vocalist from the band, I could tell that his core influences would likely bleed into the band’s debut album. From the soft-loud dynamic found on a Deftones-esque track, called “Far Away,” to the collaborative single with Have Mercy on “Cheap Beers & IOUs,” Crossing I’s Dotting T’s make a memorable first step in the music scene.

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Brad Stank – “I Belong To You” (Song Premiere)

Brad Stank
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new, jazzy single from Brad Stank called “I Belong To You.” On this quick song that tugs on all the right heartstrings, Stank displays a rich confidence not usually seen in the music scene. He shared:

A short but sweet song influenced heavily by the Love Unlimited band. Rhythmically kinda awkward and drunken, expressing how it can feel sometimes to be vulnerable to somebody. The title is pretty Gospel-esque but lyrically quite romantic, towing that line again. Lydia Kitto on the gorgeous backing vocals. Really doubling down on the romantic vibes here, and one of my favorite songs on the record.

I was also able to catch up with Brad for a brief interview below.

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Hollow River – “Self Esteem (Everyone’s Leaving)” (Song Premiere)

Hollow River
Adam Grundy

Today I’m excited to bring everyone an early listen to punk rapper, Hollow River, and his fulfilling, and vibrant new single called “Self Esteem (Everyone’s Leaving).” This artist shared:

The intro is a recording of a message I got from an old friend who had dreams of being a rapper ever since he was a teenager. He took it particularly hard when I started to pursue my music career full time, and even harder when I found success with rap myself. Instead of being happy for me he sent me aggressive messages that kept escalating with anger to the point where I had to cut them off. I had to remind myself that someone who couldn’t be happy about me pursuing my dream wasn’t a real friend and I was better off without them. Musically it’s really fun -like a release after a period of stress with some awesome drums parts!

The single comes from Hollow River’s EP, We’re Going To Be Ok, which officially drops today.

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