This is NuGaze: Toronto's Sicayda

Canadian band Sicayda adeptly aims for a Kevin Shields via Deftones sound, but easily grab Catherine Wheel and early Verve (the best Verve) vibes along the way. They do not use the term "Shoegaze" lightly; proper homage is paid while staying freshly original. You are being thrown a lot in their music, to be sure. Just check out the track "Go On" from their Sown E.P.

Across their handful of releases the clash of influences is apparent, but they maneuver them all gracefully. One even hears At the Drive-in era Cedric Bixler-Zavala in the vocals. Marcos Villar and Kevin Tipan, who both contribute vox and guitar, give us a mix that is free of the shoegaze cliché of washing the voices way down in the mix. Their lyrics are clear, concise, deliberate. The rhythm section provided by Ian Fragomeni (bass) and Zachary Clarke (drums) provide a musical foundation that does not fuck around. When the sounds approach a Sonic-Youth level of dexterity, the framework that Fragomeni and Clarke provide is essential.

Good music is important. Sicayda's recent release "Caught in the Rain" pulls in departed souls of the C86 sound to the first wave Shoegaze invasion and does not flinch. A true no-label indie project, they would be as at home on the Slumberland label as they would be on Nuclear Blast. As a Gen-Xer, this writer could not define NuGaze. You would begin your search with Sicayda.

Sicayda's current EP is SOWN, available on Bandcamp.

Check Sicayda's website here. Toronto heads can catch them live March 14th and 26th at Grand Gerard and The Monarch, respectively.

Thee Temporary Temple live performance by Rubin Drew

EP tracks available for free download: Don't Buy the Basement Tapes

In anticipation of a Summer release of the album "Do Not Stop", and two upcoming Tampa shows in support, Rubin Drew is releasing the first four tracks as an EP entitled "Don't Buy The Basement Tapes". Shady things going on. Revel in it. Click to download or stream free of charge: Don't Buy The Basement Tapes

Live performance coming soon!

Gods and Vegans by Rubin Drew

Goon Squad Music presents: The New Zoo Rubin Drew Review

It's been a decade since the release of the now out-of-print The Chimera Sessions, the last spoken word recording released by Rubin Drew. The new year now brings us his next effort, "Do Not Stop", a title said to be inspired by a conversation with No-Wave and Spoken Word provocateur Lydia Lunch. Themes hover closer to real-time experientialism while embracing surrealist poetry as much as ever. Check out the first release, "Even Unto" below. The album will be available for download in late Spring.

Kool Keith's Time? Astonishing!

Kool Keith’s latest offering is thick with languid verses amongst old school movie samples and downtempo lounge beats served up by L’Orange, a producer who has been making some very interesting wax moves since 2011.

Keith fans let’s be clear. This is a “space and Mars album”. Kool Keith aficionados know that saying the rapper’s catalog is varied is an understatement. From the sexual revelry of albums like Spankmaster and Sex Style, to the horrorcore manifesto Nogotco Rd., it’s hard to keep consistent traction with Kool Keith’s musical output.

While some may be done with Kool Keith because he hasn’t come out with another Dr. Octogon or Black Elvis, one must only release their preconceptions of those albums being Keith’s best work, and give Time Astonishing a listen. Kool Keith has truly changed up his delivery here and has created lyrical work that marries the production seamlessly. He also features guests on most of the songs. While none of the names jump out as very recognizable (heads look out for Mr. Lif), they all kill their respective tracks.

Known for his notoriously short shows, this album is just a little over 35 minutes. It delivers all it needs to in that time. If Keith Thornton needed any redemption for his recent output, he earns it here. Time? Astonishing! is on Mello Music Group records and is available now.