What do you get when you mix four incredibly talented Boston-based artists, four incredibly talented Icelandic artists and one awesome local college radio station? If you were in attendance at The Paradise Saturday, March 3, you would know the answer to that question. For those of you who were unable to make it and are now relaying on my exquisite story-telling skills, I will now relay back to you all of events of that evening (or the most important ones anyway).

The event, dubbed Reykjavík Calling was organized by Emerson College’s WERS 88.9FM, and showcased up-and-coming talent from the local and Icelandic music scenes. The show opened with Boston musician Amory Sivertson, her producer/fellow musician Mike Moschetto and Icelandic native Lay Low.

Click here to read the rest of Daniel McMahon’s review.

Photo Credit: Erin Abraham

As a self-proclaimed alt-pop aficionado from Jersey, (alt-pop is one of the few instances where being from New Jersey actually gives credibility) I was quite impressed by the five song EP entitled This EP Will Self-Destruct from Boston based The Field Effect. The album had a pull that kept me humming all the hooks all day long. Yet, what is more impressive is that the album is fun, energetic, and heartfelt but done in a manner that is mature, cohesive, and not in your face. The EP breaks down and builds up impeccably, each song meticulously placed with a clear intent.

The album starts off with the band’s single “Kurt Vonnegut.” The song reminds me of one of my favorite bands of the genre, Jimmy Eat World, but more warranting to the listener to get up and dance. Moving on to the next track, “One F” which shows off The Field Effect’s range of creativity within their genre drawing a sound that remains faithful to their alt-rock sound but has elements of contemporary indie-rock with a dreamy and hopeful vibe. Guitarist Nick Greico and singer/guitarist Doug Orey play well off each other allowing for moments of perfect pop song writing allowing for Nick’s tasteful and practical guitar lines to lead the vocal melodies from part to part, throwing in a nifty guitar solo here and there.

Then comes the track Annapolis, a somber heartfelt ballad that marks the middle the EP as the band masterfully brings the energy down, keeping the listener intrigued and allowing for the next track “Til I say When,” to pack an even bigger punch. "Til I Say When" is the type of track that’ll make any listener upset the song is not blasting out of their car driving around town in the middle of spring. The song creates space only to go full force into the chorus making it all the more memorable, which is a theme of the album.

The album ends with the five minute epic song “Sleeping Alone” that takes every element the EP has and twists it into a sad but truthful ending. “What scares me most/is sleeping alone.” Lyrics like these keep impressing all the way until the end as the band rip themselves open and put everything they have on the table with these five songs. This EP is sure to take you on a journey full of enjoyment, sentiment, dance, and thought. Make sure to catch the Field Effect at Great Scott on Saturday, March 17th!–Michael Giordano

For the first time on the East Coast, Reykjavik Calling celebrates music emerging from both the cities of Boston and Reykjavik. On Saturday, March 3, four Boston-area artists will be paired with four Icelandic counterparts to encourage collaboration on their performances, resulting in an evening of never been heard before musical partnerships. Presented by 88.9 WERS FM, the free concert will feature performances from the following Iceland/Boston duos:

Soley Stefansdottir & Dave Munro (from Air Traffic Controller)
Lay Low & Amory Sivertson (pictured)
Petur Ben & Will Dailey
Mugison &  Eli "Paperboy" Reed

Admission to Boston’s first Reykjavik Calling concert is free and limited to club capacity. Show is 18+. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. For more Information, visit Paradise Rock Club at www.thedise.com.

–Chrissy Prisco

Fools, released in October 2011, is the latest release from Boston-based Mod Gun. After listening to the entire record, it became very clear to me that the band draws on a multitude of influences to achieve their sound. The opening track, “Boxes,” sounds as though Chris Martin wrote a song and had it orchestrated and performed by Built to Spill. The band immediately switches gears on the second track, “Fools.” This song opens with a Jimi Hendrix-inspired riff, bursting into a 90s indie-rock, gang vocal chorus. Mod Gun has an excellent grasp of dynamics—the entire record is full of changes from soft to loud, loud to soft, and everything in between.

One of my favorite tracks on the album is “Mrs. Lansbury.” In addition to their manipulation of dynamics, I found their use of an instrumental chorus quite effective. The opening riff of the song is repeated at various times throughout the track, adding a more hard rock/stoner rock vibe to this tune.

I was also impressed with the fifth track, “Coming Back.” This song takes a more experimental/At The Drive-In approach with powerful vocals and huge, effects-laden guitars. The guitar work on the entire record is quite good; the guitars always seem to play just enough—they don’t over do it with five-minute solos, but they aren’t afraid to show off their chops either.

Overall, I would say Fools is a well-thought out and executed record. The band is able to take ideas from a wide range of styles and unite them under one cohesive, energetic sound. Fools is available for free download at the Mod Gun bandcamp site. If you like what you hear and want to check the band out in person, head on over to P.A.’s Lounge in Somerville on March 16 where Mod Gun will be performing live for your listening pleasure.–Daniel McMahon

A Wilhelm Scream played in front of a packed house of nearly six hundred people at The Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, MA this past Sunday night, February 19. The show marked the start of a three-month long tour spanning the globe from Cambridge to Moscow to Montreal. During that time, the band will also be sharing some dates with Sunday’s headliner (and ska/punk veterans) Less Than Jake.

Based on previous performances, I would say Wilhelm are certainly a worthy candidate to share the stage with a band as accomplished as Less Than Jake, and Sunday’s performance was no exception…

Click here to read the rest of Daniel McMahon’s review.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Santos

It was Elizabeth Wurtzel who coined the term “Prozac Nation” to describe the state of the country living in the post behavioral medication boom of the 90’s, a time that spawned a new breed of diagnosed 9 to 5’s living in a limbo of euphoric depression. So it is that this populace needs what every other has before it: music to dance to. So it is the New Wave movement — which formed in the post punk boom of Joy Division and The Smiths, peaked in the 80’s with The Eurythmics and R.E.M., and was born again in the new millennium within bands such as MGMT and the New York City two pieces — makes it’s church in this era of ambivalence. This religion of moody dance music now finds itself two more promising disciples in Hartford, Connecticut’s Donovan Rex and Max Friday, the equal parts of the electronic duo Cheerleader.

In preparation of their premier full-length album, Do What You Want, the partners in crime have put out a three-song sampler in order to give the public at large something to get excited about. The EP works as a good introduction to the band’s sound. The title track is reminiscent of such out of town acts as The Church or Echo and The Bunnymen, with the lyrics grounding the band as good ol’ New England boys with the lyrics “I feel like driving/up Massachusetts/barely surviving/and feeling useless”. The three songs flow together well with a mix of clap-your-hands beats and lost-in-the-ether vocals that make for a solid mix of dance and daze and shows great promise for the upcoming full length. Anyone who believes in the Old Testament of New Wave based in The Cure and Depeche Mode or any new converts from the new indie found movement within Cults or Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes would be well advised to check them out.–Anthony Geehan

From the moment I heard the amp buzz on the opening track of Second Coming, I knew The Sinbusters were going to be full of raucous, rowdy energy. While the album is short (no track is over 2:30 in length), the band manages to leave a lasting impression on the listener with their classic, hard-nosed punk rock style. The Lowell-based quintet is heavily versed classic punk rock, while borrowing occasionally from other genres. One example of this mixing of styles would the fourth track on Second Coming, “Gimme the Word.” The track, a surf rock-ish groove mixed with a bit of a The Kinks, had me dancing in my seat and longing for the days when I would frequent basement punk rock shows.

I especially loved the distorted organ the band incorporates in many of the tracks on this album. I think it adds depth to the tracks and really thickens the sound of the album.  The second song on the album, which also happens to be the title track, is my favorite on this record.  “Second Coming” showcases the organ well and really highlights the lead vocals in a Stooges/Iggy Pop-like style. I could practically feel myself being pushed around in the mosh pit as I listened to this song.

Overall, I thought Second Coming was an excellent album. The band has managed to produce a punk rock album that stays true to its roots–while adding their own original touch–keeping the songs from sounding too mundane. Be sure to check out Second Coming (as well as some of the band’s older material) on their bandcamp page and keep an ear out for their next live appearance in the New England area.–Daniel McMahon

Less Than Jake will be playing a sold-out show this coming Sunday, February 19, at The Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, MA with local hardcore punk rockers A Wilhelm Scream (pictured above).

Initially, I found myself a bit perplexed at the notion of Less Than Jake sharing a stage with a hardcore punk band such as Wilhelm, but then I realized how truly awesome that combination will be. Wilhelm has been playing hardcore music and steadily making a world-wide name for themselves for the better part of a decade (the band has toured internationally many times and will be embarking on another European tour in March). The band mixes punk and hardcore rhythms with a speed and intensity that is truly remarkable. Each of their records is full of complex riffs and technical perfection.

Less Than Jake is a band that needs little introduction. A popular ska/punk band for over two decades, they will certainly command attention when they take the stage Sunday night. Their use of trombone and sax really carries their songs, adding an extra blast of intensity to their distorted, punk influenced guitar riffs.

The show starts early, with doors at 6:30pm.–Daniel McMahon

After 12 days of voting, the fans have spoken and The Milkman’s Union from Portland, ME came out on top. Having been named the deli’s New England band of the month back in April, these guys never cease to impress us. With folksy beginnings, they’ve leaned more toward an indie rock sound, with a countrified twist, recently on the Telos EP. And of course there’s the phenomenal Texas Hold Me 7" featuring a collaboration with Brunswick, ME native Lady Lamb the Beekeeper. This band works their asses off perfecting their unique sound, constantly coming up with new material and they always seem to be playing gigs out on the road. With drive and passion like theirs, we predict big things on the horizon for The Milkman’s Union, and we can’t wait.

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Boston’s BrightNight came in a very respectable second place in our Fans’ Poll. Brothers Peter and Eric Gollands are the founders and backbone behind the band. That said, BrightNight, whose debut album, Colderaire, came out in 2011 showcase a succinct, sharp and tight group of musicians. Their brand of alt rock is catchy, moving and fun. Their sophomore album is due to come out later this year.

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Oldjack were the third place winners in our Fans’ Poll. These guys put on some of the most fun, loud and intense shows in Boston. They always seem to have more and more musicians in their band (currently there are about 8 or 9 members) but the more the merrier as it just adds to their balls-to-the-wall energetic vibe. Stay tuned for more from this band, they’re currently working on their first full-length which we hope will be out soon.

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Big kudos also to The Mallett Brothers Band and Tan Vampires, respectively 4th and 5th.

The overall results of our Year End Poll (including jurors’ and Deli writers’ votes) will be released very soon, stay tuned!

–Chrissy Prisco

Wow. Onslo’s Quartumdimensio ᴁdificium is a barrage of noise—but what fantastic noise it is!

It’s as though Karl Alverez and Bill Stevenson, the rhythm section of the Descendents and ALL, joined Weezer and started covering Frank Zappa tunes. This record is fast and hard with angular edges and bombastic choruses. Its 7 tracks clock in at well under 15 minutes so the only drawback is that it’s over so damn quick. With its mix of jazz and punk, prog and indie it’s hard to tell if these guys are serious or not but the sheer audacity of this combination of influences is some serious fun.

Stream or download Onslo’s Quartumdimensio ᴁdificium over at their bandcamp page or catch them live, opening for Grandchildren and Dinosaur Feathers at Church on April 11.–George Dow