The Black Clouds - better days

The Black Clouds are a true DIY indie band, unsigned and doing everything for themselves. Including producing their own records using their own studio and funding their own tours (and touring a lot).  Their sound on this album which is their second could be said to be a bit of a throwback to early 90s grunge, "No reason" for example roars along like a Nirvana track. But why not, its a great sound to explore. The song is pretty awesome in fact.

"Defective mind" alternates between rumbling rock noise and razor sharp guitar attacks but underpining both is a solid and catchy melody. "Stalemate" and "Whereabouts unknown" are also good solid rock songs. "Seen better" rages along full of grunge energy and harsh guitars. There are a lot of good songs on here, and masses of grunge. My only criticism is that the album is maybe a bit lacking in variety but if you like a bit of grunge and loved the early 90s then this is for you.

The Barrens

The Barrens' self-titled album is often dark, brooding and menacing like on "Claw remains" and powerful, dangerous such as on the rock attack of "Felt".

This is the first full-length album from New York based The Barrens and it runs from heavy grunge rock to lighter psychedelia, "Bottom of the well" is a good example of the latter which comes complete with cute handclaps.

I like them best on the darker heavier stuff though, "Face the eighth" for example with its booming beat and atmospheric guitar noise or on my favourite track on the album "Never knew" with its grinding rock melody and waves of guitar noise.

The Barrens' album is full of great atmospheric alternative rock power and its quite simply great! Its available as a digital download or as a vinyl LP on the band's Bandcamp site.

The Sky Drops - bourgeois beat

I call this duo's music grunge-gaze and i think that is pretty self-explanatory. Its good rollicking stuff such as on the driving grunge of "Truth is". Its noisy and poppy in all the best traditions of American grunge. "Hang on" though is quite different but equally good, a shoegazy epic with jangly guitar reverberations echoing through the mix. "Stone white" brings in elements of classic rock and heavy psychedelic noise.

So they have plenty of influences but its not a copycat album, true genius is in knowing what should be stolen anyway and they bring it all together really well. The duo's male and female vocals working together well especially on a track like "Swimming with fishes". The guitars roar beautifully too. Its a really good album.