It might not have come up in conversation with every person I’ve ever met, but I feel fairly confident when I assume that at least 96% of people I’ve met in my life have at least heard of Bob Dylan, at least. For a new band to be touring with Bob Dylan, then, must be a pretty big testament to that band’s credentials. Dawes, a band who has only been active since 2009, is celebrating its newest release by touring…

In the heart of the grunge homeland, the great Pacific Northwest, grunge ain’t dead – it’s just evolved. Olympia, Washington’s Milk Music released its debut full-length album, Cruise Your Illusion, on April 2 and with it has channeled the Ghost of Northwest Grunge Past (along with a few others genre ghosts, actually). Up until this album, the band self-released vinyl records and cassettes in order to stay in control of the music, but with Cruise Your Illusion they changed its…

Bands these days seem to think more is better, recruiting a menagerie of musicians to create extravagant, sweeping soundscapes in a desperate attempt to “get known.” They alter genres and stock up on effect pedals, hoping someone will notice how experimental and different they are. Does this work? Sometimes, yes. But there is something to be said for minimalism, and UK bedroom producer, WALL, has found that delicate balance between enchantment and sedation in her debut EP, Shoestring. Like its…

Wavves has a new album out and its reputability is perhaps debatable. You might think that Wavves has simply produced another set of beach (not surf) rock songs happily suitable for any real life poppy event. Or you might think that Wavves has, in fact, progressed and created an album that’s on message with the band’s past vibes while bringing us something a little new and a little extra. I am in the latter camp and glad of it. As…