Album Review: Thomas Dollbaum - Birds of Paradise

Thomas Dollbaum

Birds of Paradise

**** out of *****

The newest offering from the Tampa-born, New Orleans-based singer/songwriter Thomas Dollbaum is a collection of tunes that reflect on lost friends, loves and mortality. Mixing poetic, avian inspired lyrics focused on nature with engaging Southern influenced indie-rock is a successful combination throughout Birds of Paradise. 

Album Review: Hurray for the Riff Raff - Live Forever

Hurray for the Riff Raff

Live Forever

***and1/2 out of *****

Touring on the back of their strongest album to date, 2024's The Past Is Still Alive, Hurray for the Riff Raff (Alynda Segarra) decided to record a two night stand in their new hometown Chicago, IL. The resulting Live Forever finds the artist sacrificing some nuance for more folk-rocking power.

Album Review - Eddy Current Suppression Ring - In Light Of Recent Events

Eddy Current Suppression Ring

In Light Of Recent Events

** and 1/2 out of *****

After seven years away, the Melbourne Australia based rock outfit Eddy Current Suppression Ring released their surprise comeback, fifth full length, In Light Of Recent Events. The eleven twitchy rockers bounce and shake with raw intimacy. 

Album Review: Twisted Teens - Florida Water Blues

Twisted Teens

Florida Water Blues

**** out of *****

The New Orleans based, offbeat rockers, Twisted Teens newest effort is a frenzied mix that touches on a wide range of genres, all filtered through a DIY lo-fi production style, clanging and banging around melodic song structures. Florida Water Blues is the second successful release of 2026 from the prolific outfit. 

Album Review: Kit Major - Miss Ego EP

Kit Major

Miss Ego

*** out of *****

The Los Angeles, CA based rocker Kit Major struts out a mix of pop and punk on her newest EP, Miss Ego. Her swagger and confidence oozes from the speakers as the vibrant tracks slam out. 

Album Review: The Breaks - Self-Titled

The Breaks

S/T

***and1/2 out of *****

Three great modern day funk-soul-jazz artists come together to form The Breaks, a new organ/guitar/drum trio that instantly hits the ground running on their infectiously joyful debut full length. 

Album Review: NOi!SE - Fate of The Union

NOi!SE

Fate of the Union

*** out of *****

The Tacoma, WA based street punk outfit NOi!SE deliver a hard hitting offering, Fate of the Union that screams against the current state of American affairs, calling for unity. The first full length release from the band in ten years arrives at the perfect time. 

Album Review: Sari Jordan - Perfect Be The Enemy

Sari Jordan

Perfect Be The Enemy

***and1/2 out of *****

For their full length debut, Sari Jordan artistically strolls through the ever changing facets of relationships in nuanced fashion. Perfect Be The Enemy finds Jordan's voice in the spotlight with free floating backing from a host of New Orleans musicians. 

Album Review: Angine de Poitrine - Vol II

Angine de Poitrine

Vol II

***and1/2 out of *****

The viral sensation Angine de Poitrine's second release, directly titled Vol II, refines their unique blend of instrumental madness. The polka-dotted duo use their groove to warp original tunes with delirious energy.  

Album Review: Bequest - On Hills Will Death Play

Bequest

On Hills Will Death Play

***and1/2 out of *****

The Philadelphia, PA based punk outfit Bequest have a new offering out, On Hills Will Death Play. It is a slapping seven song EP and a strong statement from the group, which is made up from members of eX-Tradition, Kinetic Orbital Strike, and The Damage. The trio mixes in sludgy grime laden bass and aggressive riffs as the angst and power is all pushed along by killer drums. 

Album Review: Renée Gros - Glad I'm Wrong

Renée Gros

Glad I'm Wrong

***and1/2 out of *****

The debut full length effort from Renée Gros, Glad I'm Wrong, is a throwback to the warm singer-songwriter, 70's era albums as the New Orleans based artist eases her voice and songs out with relatable emotion.  

Album Review: The Sleeveens - National Anthem

The Sleeveens

National Anthem

*** out of *****

The second full length release from The Sleeveens is a revved up slice of garage rock meets poppy punk as National Anthem for Goner Records slaps with angsty tension, singalong fun and hip shaking fuzz.

Happy Anniversary to Angels & Vagabonds Anyways... EP

RtBE not only writes about music, but I also create some. Angels & Vagabonds (mostly) acoustic EP titled Anyways... celebrated an anniversary recently.

It is exciting to go from critic/reviewer of music, to creator of tunes. Special thanks goes out to friends and bandmates who helped with this one. While it has been quite a few years since a release from the group, more music is actually on the way...

Album Review: Oh Dang - Big Dogs

Oh Dang

Big Dogs

***and1/2 out of *****

The five piece New Orleans based outfit Oh Dang's new release, Big Dogs, mixes 90's alt-rock with alt-country, all supporting the engaging male/female lead vocals that draw the listener in. The groups second full length effort finds them expanding, evolving the the band's sound.

Album Review: Mariachi El Bronx - Mariachi El Bronx (IV)

Mariachi El Bronx

Mariachi El Bronx (IV)

***and1/2 out of *****

Back in 2009 the Los Angeles punk rock band The Bronx decided to take a major detour and dive into their love of Mariachi music with an alter ego band, Mariachi El Bronx. It is safe to say their most die hard fans did not see this side project not only continuing, but flourishing for over fifteen years. Now comes the fourth installment, Mariachi El Bronx (IV) and their deep love of this genre of music continues to mix with rock, punk and pop in interesting ways. 

Album Review: Charlotte Cornfield - Hurts Like Hell

Charlotte Cornfield

Hurts Like Hell

***and1/2 out of *****

For her sixth studio album, the Canadian based singer/songwriter Charlotte Cornfield deals with motherhood for the first time and the new outlook on life which that brings. The opening "Before" sets the tone as Cornfield repeats the phrase "Real love, no fantasy". The sheen may be off, but the raw emotions are the ones that stick around.  

Album Review: The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis - Deface The Currency

The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis

Deface The Currency

**** out of *****

The Washington D.C. based jazz/punk outfit The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis continue to evolve with their sound, happily falling in-between genre cracks. Deface The Currency is the core band's second outing with Lewis as the quartet are more assured and propulsive than ever. 

Album Review: Ratboys - Singin' To An Empty Chair

Ratboys

Singin' To An Empty Chair

**** out of *****

The Chicago, IL based Ratboys stoutly mix country, rock, and pop on Singin' To An Empty Chair, their sixth studio album and first for New West Records. 

Album Review: GA-20 - Orphans Volume 2

GA-20

Orphans Volume 2

**and1/2 out of *****

Last month we reviewed GA-20's first installment of Orphans, eight cover songs of blues and soul. Now comes Orphans Volume 2, four more blues and soul covers from the rocking act. The timing of the release is odd as it arrives only two months after the original, and is incredibly brief, containing only four songs, which had been recorded sometime ago. Whatever the logistical reason for separating the two EP's, the music on both is stout. 

Album Review: Devine Carama - Legacy Minded Men

Devine Carama

Legacy Minded Men

*** out of *****

The newest full length release from the Lexington, Kentucky based MC Devine Carama finds the politically active artist dealing with very modern issues that have deep historical roots. Legacy Minded Men uses retro sounding beats to examine society, boasting, while also trying to facilitate some positive change.