Album of the Day 5/15/13: Coliseum - Sister Faith

Louisville's Coliseum have come a long, long way since 2005's No Salvation album, which saw them partnering with powerhouse Metal label Relapse Records.  It was a good match at the time as Coliseum was ripping through some seriously violent, crust-inspired, punk rock.  But time and life have ways of modifying a band's sound and in the eight years since that album Coliseum have progressed.  To progress is one thing.  To progress and still maintain the high quality of the end...

Album of the Day 5/10/13: The Proud Flesh - Home

Americana is a big word that encompasses a bunch of different styles and a ton of different bands, all of whom craft their own version of what the term is supposed to mean.  The few things that all Americana bands seem to share though is the ability to tell great stories and the ability to occasionally bring the listener back to proverbial simpler times.  In both of these cases New Haven's The Proud Flesh are indelibly one of the best Americana acts around. 

Album of the Day 4/8/13: Brown Bird - Fits of Reason

Being a fan of a band is sometimes akin to riding in the back seat of a fast moving car.  Behind the wheel is often times someone who forgets, or doesn't care, that there are passengers being tossed around as long as they arrive at the destination safely.  Every trip is an adventure, some more precarious and thrilling than others.  Such is the thrill of riding along with Rhode Island's Brown Bird.

Album of the Day 3/29/13: The Delta Saints - Death Letter Jubilee

If you were asked what to expect out of a Blues-rock band from Nashville how would you answer?  With something about soulful vocals?  Maybe something about some killer harmonica?  How about hard-driving guitars?  How about all of the above and then some?  If you answered yes to any of those questions allow me to introduce you to The Delta Saints. 

Album of the Day 3/25/13: Rachel Brooke - A Killer's Dream

Album of the Day 3/13/13: The Nymphs - s/t

It all started with a simple question about how a band leader chose his touring mates.  After brief conversation and a tip that the keyboardist/vocalist was in a band of her own she hit me with those beautiful, steely eyes and asked, "Do you like The Andrews Sisters?"  And so began my introduction and subsequent musical infatuation with The Nymphs. 

Album of the Day 3/12/13: Jose Oyola - Give, Give, Give. Take, Take, Take.

Sometimes when you sit down with an album it's honestly like being invited to a personal therapy session.  You ride the highs and lows of emotion with the artist in a very real and raw way.  Such is the case with the debut album from New Haven's Jose Oyola. 

Album of the Day 2/27/13: Henry Wagons - "Expecting Company?"

So when someone says 'Australia', what do you think of musically speaking?  AC/DC?  Men At Work?  INXS?  Midnight Oil?  The Wiggles?  Would you think about country music at all, specifically the alt/outlaw variety?  No?  Well, Henry Wagons is about to change your mind about that. 

Album of the Day 2/14/13: Mount Moriah - Miracle Temple

It's fitting that this album was chosen to be Album of the Day on Valentine's Day.  Sometimes you stumble upon a band and fall so maddeningly in love with their music that waiting for a new album is akin to the sometimes painful wait for a long lost love to return home after an extended stay away.  Such is my fascination with and excitement for the new full length album from North Carolina's Mount Moriah.

Album of the Day 1/29/13: Susanna Hoffs - Someday

Some artists release their definitive album right out of the gates, only to fizzle and fade down the stretch.  For other artists they spend an entire career making music with varied amounts of success only to wait for the stars to align just right for that career defining album to hit the streets.  Case in point the new solo album from Susanna Hoffs. 

Album of the Day 1/22/13: Daphne Lee Martin - Moxie

Moxie (Noun) - 1. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage. 2. Aggressive energy; initiative. 3. Skill; know-how.  Yeah, this is a pretty good start in describing the new album from New London's Daphne Lee Martin.

Album of the Day 1/18/13: Bedroom Rehab Corporation - Red Over Red

I don't normally read band bios prior to listening to an album.  I do this because I don't want any preconceived notions about a band or their music before I have a chance to formulate that all-important first impression.  So sometimes I'm a little surprised when I read something in a bio that doesn't jive with what I'm hearing.  You know, like when a bio points out that there are zero guitars or keyboards used on an album that is heavy as hell. 

Album of the Day 1/17/13: 1974 - A Soldier's Tale

Concept albums have been around as long as "long players" have existed.  Everyone from Queensryche to The Who to Willie Nelson have tried their hand at them.  The idea of telling this sequential story through your art is a tempting idea.  Just ask CT's own 1974 who once again deliver an ambitious concept album with A Soldier's Tale.

Album of the Day 1/9/13: Atrina - In Planetary Sugar

The best music is also usually the most challenging to write about.  How do you describe to someone that which is often times indescribable?  How too do you try and categorize that which inherently defies categorization?  Therein lies the only problem with the new album from Atrina. 

Album of the Day 11/30/12: You Scream I Scream - Zookeeper

There are a bunch of artists in CT that can get people up and dancing (and I'm not talking DJs or cover bands either).  But I'm not sure I've seen a band get asses shaking at shows the way You Scream I Scream gets them moving.  Their newest album is the perfect encapsulation of that vibe. 

Album of the Day 11/29/12: Satan's Wrath - Galloping Blasphemy

*Please note this post first appeared on the blog 666 Days Of Metal and has been republished with permission by CT.com.

Album of the Day 11/28/12: Goodnight Blue Moon - How Long

Recently I was extolled on the virtues of seeing New Haven's Goodnight Blue Moon in the live setting.  According to the messenger they were "fun", "energetic" and "extremely talented".  So when a copy of their new album showed up on my desk shortly after this conversation I was immediately intrigued.  Let me say that the person I was speaking with earlier was not being hyperbolic at all.  These guys really are all of those things and more.  

Album of the Day 11/27/12: The Sword - Apocryphon

Despite the fact that they release albums every two years, like clockwork, I wasn't prepared for the newest offering from The Sword.  Honestly that's probably a good thing because I loved their last album so much that I would have hyped this thing up in my mind beyond acceptable levels.  Looking back it wouldn't have mattered because Apocryphon would have exceeded any ridiculous expectations I set up for it.

Album of the Day 11/20/12: Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay

I use a lot of superlatives and grandiose language to describe bands and albums.  I get really excited about good music and my intentions are always good (and in my mind every adjective heaped on a band is well earned!)  One of the bands I get most excited about though on a consistent basis is Neurosis.  So when I heard over the Summer that they had a new full-length album coming out I'm pretty sure I squealed like a little girl.  

Album of the Day 11/8/12: Paper Hill Casket Company - Undertow

So a couple months ago I invted New Haven's Paper Hill Casket Company to come up to Hartford and play one of our Live & Local shows.  I was not fully prepared for how awesome this band was going to be in the live setting.  They announced at this show that they were putting the finishing touches on their debut album.  I have been waiting with baited breath ever since and I'm here to tell you that this album was absolutely worth the wait.

Album of the Day 10/23/12: Saint Bernadette - The Nevers

So again, I'm asked to make these year end lists of what I think are the best albums of the year and why do I cringe a little bit?  Because I know, I just know, I'll forget to include an album that deserves a spot on the list.  Case in point: The Nevers by Bridgeport's Saint Bernadette.

Album of the Day 10/19/12: Kali Ma - Live From Daniel Street

One part of the CT music scene that has been alive and well for a long time is the metal scene.  Over the last four or five years one of the bands that's been an integral part of maintaining the popularity of metal within the CT scene has been Kali Ma. 

Album of the Day 10/16/12: Heirlooms - Everyone A Diver

There are a lot of bands coming out of CT these days that are making some fantastic music.  There are bands that I would honestly count among some of my favorites right now.  If you were to ask me though who my favorite CT band was or who was the absolute best I don't think I could give you a straight answer.  I'd probably rattle off multiple bands and on any given day the answer would be different.  But I can guarantee that one band that would be amongst the answers to...

Album of the Day 10/11/12: Scott Kelly and The Road Home - The Forgiven Ghost In Me

When a member of a band branches out and puts together a solo project it always fascinates me when said solo project is so drastically different from their "day job".  It's also extremely rewarding as a listener when both projects are something you would recommend to people to pick up.  Such is the case with Scott Kelly and The Long Road Home. 

Album of the Day 10/10/12: Ides of Gemini - Constantinople

I don't know what it is about music and nature that make them so compatible on so many levels.  Maybe it's the emotions that both can so easily evoke?  Maybe it has something to do with the primal nature at the core of both that strikes a chord in us in some way?  Regardless of the reasoning there really is nothing as satisfying as finding the perfect album to fit the tone of the day that Mother Nature has set for you.  So as I sit here on a dark, rainy, chilly Autumn day...

Album of the Day 10/8/12: Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers - Old Gold

People think that because I don't like cover bands that I don't like covers.  Not true at all.  In fact I love when an artist inserts a great cover into their set.  I also love, like in this case, when a great artist takes someone elses' songs and puts their own unique stamp on them. 

Album of the Day 10/1/12: Band of Horses - Mirage Rock

One of my favorite things about being a fan of any band is watching them progress as artists.  I love going back and comparing one album to the next, especially chronologically, to watch as a band moves (hopefully) forward in their songwriting.  It's always a bonus when new music is released to feel that an artist has given you something that stands up well against previous efforts.  In this case the artist in question is Band of Horses.

Album of the Day 9/28/12: Witchcraft - Legend

It's been five years.  Five long, long years since I've held a new Witchcraft album in my hands and I have to be honest, there were times when I thought I'd never see this day.  I'm pleased to report that this album was worth every day, every hour, every second of the wait. 

Album of the Day 9/26/12: John Fries - U.S. 50

One thing I loved about this year's Grand Band Slam and subsequent CT Music Awards was that it forced me to become even more familiar with certain artists that I only knew peripherally.  One such artist that I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know better is John Fries.

Album of the Day 9/25/12: Elison Jackson - I Do Believe She Flew Out The Drain Pipe

Yesterday, around 10 a.m. I put this CD on at my desk at work and roughly 24 hours later it's still the only music I've listened to.  True story.  I don't know if there's a better testement than that for just how good an album can be.

Album of the Day 9/17/12: Sidewalk Dave - Hard On Romance

I have to admit that I'm an apologist for end-of-the-year lists only because I like to see if there's something I missed throughout the year.  However I dislike having to compile my own...because I'm afraid there's going to be something I miss from throughout the year.  However when my employers ask me to again create some end of the year lists of the best albums of 2012 I can guarantee that one album I will not forget is Hard On Romance by Sidewalk Dave.

Sunn O))) and Club INT Both Impress

It was evident to me by the time I left the building on Labor Day evening that, as far as the average club show attendee is concerned, I am old.  My standard question of "Well, do you remember this place when it was the Sports Palace?" was almost unanimously met with blank stares and looks of disappointment from the few who had heard the name but were not old enough to partake.  The 'place' in reference is the new Club INT in New Britain, but from my arrival in CT in 1995 to my...

Album of the Day 8/27/12: Plume Giant - Callithump

I think I've mentioned before that I sometimes set expectations way too high when it comes to bands I like and new releases.  I guess that's why when a band meets or exceeds my expectations with their new material that I get a little giddy about it, not unlike a small child with their new toy on Christmas morning.  That's about how I'm feeling listening to the new Plume Giant album.  

Album of the Day 8/9/12: Testament - Dark Roots of Earth

There are certain bands in this world that get my metal blood pumping in ways that other bands can't. Since I first started really getting into metal in the late 80's (yes I am that old) one of those bands has always been Testament.  

Album of the Day 7/26/12: Mercy Choir - The Very Great And Horrible Harshness

I have to admit I'm slightly fascinated by one-man musical projects.  With various technological advances the sheer volume of one-man (or woman) recording projects seems to have exploded over the last decade plus.  One of the best one-man projects to come out of CT in recent memory is Mercy Choir.  

Album of the Day 7/17/12: Jamestown, The First Town In America - s/t

I've been trying to tell you all for awhile now that CT is one of the most eclectic music scenes anywhere in the U.S.  If you didn't believe me before then hopefully you will after you listen to the newest album from Jamestown, The First Town In America.

Album of the Day 7/12/12: Blood Of The Black Owl - Light The Fires!

I'm going to give you the biggest understatement ever: There's a lot of great music floating around on the internet.  However, with all of the amazing music so readily available to you, the listener, there are very few times when an artist comes along with an album that just simply blows you away.  For me one of those artists is Blood Of The Black Owl. 

Album of the Day 7/6/12: Bison - Quill

I am a self-proclaimed Internet Music Troll.  I troll the internet looking for new and fantastic music constantly.  Sometimes I find a band that I dig so much that I'm upset with myself because I should have found them sooner.  Today that band is Bison.

Album of the Day 7/5/12: 1974 - The Return

I've waxed poetic a lot in this space about the stellar quality of output from CT bands over the last few years.  One band that I really believe has a chance to help stamp the CT music scene into the broader national conscience is 1974.

Album of the Day 7/2/12: The Tarweed Two - s/t

One of my least favorite things in this world is that pop rock crap that most Americans listen to being called "country music".  It's not and in my book it never will be, especially with groups like California's The Tarweed Two floating around playing country music the way it was meant to be played. 

Album of the Day 6/20/12: These United States - s/t

One of my favorite things in the world is when a band I don't know (or maybe I know them in name only which was the case here) gets up on stage, rocks my world and "forces" me to go buy their new record.  This was the case with These United States...except I bought the new record and one from their back catalog. 

Album of the Day 6/18/12: High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis

I'm a music snob.  I admit it.  I'm at my most snobish when discussing metal and all of its various sub-genres.  I just feel the mainstream media and major record labels have spent the last 30+ years trying to distort what metal is and should be in favor of achieving a wider audience. It happens in all genres - punk, blues, country, jazz - but I'm most offended where metal is concerned.  That's one reason why it's extremely important to me that when a great metal band...

Royal Thunder @ Cherry Street

Atlanta's Royal Thunder headlined a killer at Cherry Street Station in Wallingford that included CT's own Nightbitch, Rhode Island's Thrillhouse and New York's Nothing But Wolves.

Album of the Day 6/14/12: Pilgrim - Misery Wizard

For whatever reason, in my mind,  I have certain parts of the world associated with certain types of music.  For doom metal I have places like the U.K. and New Orleans, among others tied to this vast genre.  But thanks to Pilgrim I can now start thinking about our neighbors in good, old Rhode Island.

It Came From The North: The Best Canadian Bands & Artists

By Chip McCabe

Album of the Day 5/23/12: The Devil's Blood - The Thousandfold Epicentre

I have to be honest that I've been meaning to write about this album since its release date at the tail end of 2011 but (thankfully) the last six months have been chock full of so many amazing releases that it simply slipped through the cracks.  Time to beg forgiveness from the great horned one and hopefully turn some people on to The Devil's Blood.

Album of the Day 5/21/12: Royal Thunder - CVI

There was a very short list of albums at the beginning of the year that I was waiting on patiently for their release dates.  Possibly no other album was as highly anticipated for me as the new one by Atlanta's Royal Thunder.  Much like their label mates, Horseback, not only was their album well worth the wait but it is instantly in the running for my personal choice for album of the year.

Album of the Day 5/15/12: Horseback - Half Blood

At the tail end of last year and into the beginning of 2012 I started to make mental notes on bands that I dig that had announced release dates for new material.  There were two or three releases in particular that piqued my interest more than usual.  One of those bands was North Carolina's Horseback.  I am happy to report that the juice was worth the squeeze. 

Album of the Day 5/9/12: Wagons - Rumble, Shake And Tumble

So I've lamented many times about how what most of the unwitting music buying population in the U.S. calls "country music" is, in fact, not country music at all but just crappy pop rock with cowboy hats.  We'll I'm hear to tell you that there are real country bands out there playing real country music...sometimes you just have to go to Australia to get it. 

Album of the Day 5/3/12: Farewood - Wings of Gold

I've always said that one of the best things about the CT music scene is its diversity.  There are so many different little sub-genres represented all over the state.  There really are dozens of bands that don't sound like any other band actively recording/playing out in the state.  One of those bands is Meriden's Farewood.