Being No One Going Nowhere by STRFKR

The fifth studio album by the indie rock group so profane their name has to be abbreviated. You can probably imagine the name of this group, but Starfucker was never about the fame. Joshua Hodges, founder of the band, created this name to limit their groups growth, so their label wouldn't push them as hard.

He wasn't a fan of the star light. After working with Badman Recording Co. on their first two records, the band signed with Polyvinyl Records in 2010. Releasing Reptilians in 2011 and Miracle Mile in 2013, the band managed to find more success with their new record label. Three years passed before the band would put out Being No One Going Nowhere.

Taking a break after their 2013 album allowed the group to rethink their sound. Filling any space with the suspenseful excitement of a 80's dance hall. This album was pushed really big on Bandcamp, still having a dedicated landing page with the blue LP.

The Blue LP is pressed 180g at a time giving each peace a luxurious feeling. The color never feels gimmicky or tacky while playing or handling. I don't own many colored vinyl because it often means the music can't speak for itself. On this LP, color complements the electro-pop nature of the music elevating the experience.

This is available wherever records are sold.

Here I Go Again by Britt Devens

\11.9.23\ Front range local Britt Devens has been crafting folky tracks with a delicate attitude since an EP, All the Pretty Things in 2016. A disciplined and self-taught singer/songwriter, There is a great depth to her work that spans the themes of love and loss, with a strong focus on the moments and people that help us grow and we grow from. More than anything, her music is an avenue for self-exploration and healing while providing a comfortable space for others. By creating this mirror through her work, one can peer into themselves as well. This is the first full length album from Britt and comes on the tail of the end of an educational career and a relationship she was ready to leave in the rearview mirror. Following a while spent traveling and performing, sometimes with a band, sometimes for a beer and some food, Devens eventually landed back in her home state. Now, sober and better footing, Here I Go Again is here to show off what al...

Sunburned by Illiterate Light

\06.11.23\ It’s an ideal November evening, not warm, not too cold. Mild wind blows leaves into small piles while Welton Street fills with groups of friends to wine, dine, shop, and see some live music. It was within this storybook setting that I first meet Jake and Jeff of Illiterate Light before their show at Cervantes Other Side. Everything leading up to this meeting arguably begin in the Shenandoah Mountains where the power duo first team up in 2015. What follows is a new take on blues, country, rock, sleaze, and an appreciation for my favorite Wilco record, A Ghost Is Born, where they get their name from a line in “Theologians”. You can hear a thread of Wilco’s influence through their first singles and self titled debut album which would catapult them to national recognition. Widely recognized for creative and lively performances, the two of them command the stage standing tall for all to see (yes, even Jake on drums). I was lucky to si...

Underneath by Calicoco

\28.8.23\ New York has been a breeding ground for boundary-pushing sonic projects in the modern era, but few would look to Rochester for the same creativity NYC has. G Caliolo is changing this expectation, bringing the city slick of their Long Beach, Long Island home to their hometown. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter only go so far to highlight the talent Caliolo brings to this project. Helped out by Matt DeWaters on bass, Kyle Waldron on guitar, Stephen Roessner on piano, percussion, synth, and a roster of other contributors, Underneath is a blend of punk, lounge, classic rock, and good old indie alternative sounds with a gorgeous patchwork of moods and vibes. Typically when I sit down to review a record, it is one I’ve listened to more times than I can count, and Underneath is no exception. However, I think the magic of this album comes from the smooth vocals and heavy psychedelic guitar distortions that create a noise that's e...

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