Alternative Rock

(Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam)

Kleinfelter: Kleinfelter

As Kleinfelter, the group released this 6 track record. It's filled with intelligent math rock cuts that are filled with awesome rock swells and faded vocals. These Chicago natives certainly know how to create music that sticks. Filled with noise, progressive elements and calculated rock, the album takes you on a trip to the unknown and back. Musically, the guys incorporate different elements into their sound. From hard rock, prog and even punk, the sound merges into a coherent sound that satiates any alternative indie rocker out there.

Ornery Little Darlings: Ooh La la

Ornery Little Darlings create sexy indie rock that they describe as "“a highly improbable ornery-as-hell-love-child between Billie Holiday and Lou Reed." Although in places, it does sound like this, there are more elements to their songs than this. Made up of mainly Emmi Chen, Jason Ewers, and Paul Puschautz; the group's sound is characteristic of acoustic guitars, sultry female vocals and a 50/60s dirty rock vibe happening all over. It's one of those albums that make an impression after you hear the first track.

To Leave A Trace: Fight Your Evil Side

Just after a year of playing music together, this four piece rock band from the Ukraine decided to release their debut LP, Fight Your Evil Side. Leave A Trace certainly knows how to bring a fusion of rock, metal and even melodic screamo to their fans. Their album is packed with 10 powerful tracks that comes with Oksana's hard rock growling. By the way, yes, Oksana is a girl.

Social Square: It vs. You

Three piece indie rock band, Social Square, likes to call themselves the "Benjamin Button of indie rock." According to the band, they like to work backwards. When other bands simply mellow down as they age, it seems the band likes to get loud as they grow old. It vs. You is the bands latest mini three song release and features punchy and loud indie rock tracks with a 90s to early 2000 vibe.

Stave The Grave: Dead End

Dead End from Stave the Grave is a fast-paced, rocking 4 track compilation, that comes loud and proud. With elements of rockabilly, metal and even a hint of progressive rock in there; the band throws punchy, rhythmic tracks that's enough to get your gears going. For fans of horror rock and that 70s rock sound, Stave the Grave is definitely one band to watch out for.

Dragstrip Rodeo: Dragstrip Rodeo

Fast-paced, ballsy rock and roll. Dragstrip Rodeo is a three piece rock band hailing from "D-Town." Their music is characteristic of rolling, fast drums, electrifying guitars and screaming yet coherent vocals that will definitely let you take notice and rock on. Featuring rock tracks that pounce and bite back, this 5 song release is definitely one worth checking out.

MindFlow: Breakthrough

Formed in 2003, this progressive rock band from Sao Paulo, Brazil has garnered plenty of praises. Mindflow has won fans from both the rock genre to the hardcore progressive junkies. Breakthrough from Mindflow is filled with progressive metal riffs, sweet and powerful vocals, thundering drums as well as flowing melodies that's hard not to fall for.

The Sovereigns: Pick It Up

During this day and age, I find it more and more difficult to find punk bands which sport the punk genre in a legitimate sense. However, recently, my ears have been rewarded with some of the scarce spoils in which rarely become available to a dedicated browser like myself. The album ‘Pick it up’ by ‘The Sovereigns’, resurrects the late 1980’s/early 1990’s version of ska-punk that many believe to have died long ago. Hysterical drum beats (with a tempo range between relatively fast to extremely rapid), catchy brass sections, walking bass lines and power chords strummed from a fanatically distorted guitar help to ensure that all of the desired boxes are ticked. These aspects then conglomerate to form a sound similar to that of Anti-flag, NOFX and Reel Big Fish. Additionally, the bands vocalist portals politically motivated and humerous lyrics through a rough and husky voice - while he also manages to stay in key. This deems the Sovereign’s music worthy of a wider audience and saves them from being restricted to only those of the traditional punk scene.

Welcome To Ashley: Beyond the Pale

When it comes to talent and unstoppable, riveting on-stage performance, Welcome to Ashley definitely deserves more than a pat on the back. These Chicago natives have compiled 9 powerpop indie rock tracks that's filled with hipster vocals and interesting hooks. Beyond the Pale is the group's follow-up to Absent Man, their first EP. With punchy, shorter and more catchy cuts in this full album, it's a definite crowd pleaser for any indie rock junkie.