Second full-length CD from this Ithaca, NY based Afrobeat-jazz-space band. Incorporates 20 musicians, amazing percussion, a tight and talented brass section, and all sorts of keyboards & synthetic electronic sounds. Deep, rich material. Wow! A WRUV exclusive sent to us by the band.

They're playing at Nectar's on Saturday, February 23rd.

Official website

Listen here (Bandcamp)

First full-length release from this Ithaca, NY based Afrobeat-jazz-space band. While built on Afrobeat rhythms, these 10 original tracks go in many different directions that tend to be meditative, evocative, never trite, and often fascinating. Check it out!

Listen here (Bandcamp)

Playing at Nectar's on Sat Feb 23rd

Third release from this renowned four piece (plus guests on various tracks) Colombian band led by vocalist Li Saumet. Initial tracks are more sort of folkloric, but then in the run-up to the middle of the CD (e.g., track 5) the music shifts toward nueva cumbia, Latin electronica, & a healthy dash of dancehall. Gets intense!

Official website here

Hatebreed- The Divinity of Purpose

Release date: 2013Jan29

Label: Razor & Tie

Rating: 3/5

After several albums of dabbling in straight-up metalcore, Hatebreed returns to their hardcore roots on The Divinity of Purpose. "Put It To The Torch" resembles a muddled cross of metallic drums and buzzy guitars with the required breakdown in-between. My picks include "Own Your World",  "Dead Man Breathing" and the title track. All three best express the anger of frontman Jamey Jasta. Everything past those tracks is filler, except for "Boundless (Time To Murder It)". I liked their last album better.  I do want to add that I've never been and will never be a fan of "tough guy" music and I think that Jasta has done his share of inciting the audience for the purpose of shits and giggles. Their next effort should expand upon their metalcore interests instead.

FCC: 1,9,10,11

Try:  3,6,7,11

Dropkick Murphys- Signed and Sealed in Blood

Release date: 2013Jan08

Label: Born & Bred Records

Rating: 4.5/5

The Dropkick Murphys pick up where they left off with sixteen tracks of upbeat, catchy celtic punk rock. You know what this means for a long-time fan: A tour stop! "The Boys are Back" attempts to capture the spirit of "The Gangs All Here". Just check out those lyrics! Classic DKM! "Rose Tattoo" reads like a folk tale of sorts with a somber touch, bringing out the best in Al Barr. There's something for every DKM fan here. "Burn", "The Battle Rages On" and "Lucky Charlie" harken back to their early days with short, fast and catchy song structures.  "End of the Night" is the kind of track I want to hear after a long night out at the bar with pals. Few bands can hold my attention as long as the DKM, especially after 17 years of combining the best elements of street and celtic punk. I've seen them live three times and I definitely want to see them live once again. A much better effort than Going Out In Style as it brings the DKM back to their roots.

FCC: 6

Try: 1,3,4,7,12,13

The Bronx- IV

Release date: 2013Feb05

Label: ATO Records

Rating: 4.5/5

I've never actually heard The Bronx before so I'll try and sum up this album in a fair manner. "The Unholy Hand" contains frantic drumming and a sound that resembles a cross between early-International Noise Conspiracy and Rancid. "Style Over Everything", "Youth Wasted" and "Pilot Light" are distinctive in their own way with a relentless pace reminiscent of D.C hardcore icons Minor Threat. The first single, "Ribcage" ,is rather unremarkable to my ears. "Valley Heat" deserves that honor more. IV is refreshing after months of listening to nothing more than doom metal. Highly recommended!

FCC: 3

Try: 1,3,4,6, 10

Misfits- Dead Alive

Release date: 2013Feb05

Label: Misfits Records

Rating: 2.5

This is a live recording of tracks from the most recent Misfits album (The Devil's Rain) as well as live versions of material from the Micheal Graves era.  Of course, I gravitate more towards their older material. My picks include "Death Ray", "American Psycho", "Dig Up Her Bones", "Helena" and "Saturday Night". The sound quality is quite lacking with a tinny feeling that I just can't shake. A mediocre live album that could have been done much better. Only check it out if you're a diehard Misfits fan.

FCC: Check

Try: 7,9,10,12,14