Matthew Keefer's Blog: Music Ravings by Matthew Keefer, page 9

Matthew Logan Vasquez’ Sophomore Solo: Mature, Good, But Familiar

Matthew Logan Vasquez – Does What He WantsDine Alone Music– out April 213 / 5 Delta Spirit frontman Matthew Logan Vasquez comes upon his second solo LP, the perhaps aptly named Does What He Wants. Up front, we’ll tell you: it’s not bad, and it’s more of the same a la 2016’s Solicitor Returns. That is to say, this is a Vasquez comfortable in his own skin, not the wild yells of a Vasquez of early Delta Spirit fame. But we miss those wild yells, those impassioned pleas stretching, reaching for a...

“Writing Without Words” – No Extra Words Podcast Feature

Photo (c) Matthew Keefer Today, we’ve got a little surprise for y’all. For y’all readers, of course. But also writers. Our compatriots at the No Extra Words podcast have a “Writer Spaces” series, and we thought we’d tag along, offer our “writer space.” Their series is about where you go to write. See photo above. And then hear the essay at this Soundcloud link. Titled “Writing Without Words.” Hope y’all enjoy the essay! And if not, you’ll all enjoy our “A House Burning,” also featured on the...

Raw Rock Fury Lacking a Clear “Vision”

Ecstatic Vision – Raw Rock FuryRelapse Records– out April 71.5 / 5 Philadelphia’s hard rock foursome Ecstatic Vision slash their way through their second LP. Their approach is part gut punch, part slam-your-head-against-the-wall; that is to say, unapologetic. And while we appreciate their forwardness, their energy and approach, we still have to say: sorry, no. Their aimless jams certainly do not appeal to us, and in total feel like an album-long experiment in playing the same few brazen notes...

Laura Marling’s Sixth Is “Semper” Fantastic

Laura Marling – Semper FeminaMore Alarming Records-out today4 / 5 Laura Marling’s sixth album is not something we typically listen to. We like rock-outs, soul sessions, complicated layered what-have-yous. Stuff with a lotta moving parts. Contrary to our usual tastes, the Los Angeles native’s Semper Femina feels, to take the opener, “Soothing.” That is, sonically, it feels soothing; but make no mistake, behind the comfortable vocals, the sparse guitar, behind the illusion of a soothing album l...

Susto Releases a “Fine” Sophomore

Susto – & I’m Fine TodayMissing Piece Records– out now3.5 / 5 Susto, a Latin American term roughly translating as “soul sickness,” doubles South Carolina’s alternative rock quintet on their second full-length. The term is fitting as lead singer and songwriter Justin Osborne, who traveled to Cuba in his mid-20s on a musical quarter-life crisis, pens here a sophomore of songs of wanderlust and disconnection. What comes on this not-quite-dozen are fun, solid tracks that sport a musical twist-and...

Flagship Doesn’t Quite Set Sail on Sophomore

Flagship – Electric ManBright Antenna– out March 103 / 5 Charlotte, North Carolinan duo Flagship hoist the sails again in their sophomore LP, Electric Man. Here, Drake Margolnick (vocals) and Michael Finster (drums) aim is toward mid-tempo rockers, the more emotive ones instead of rock shredders, and generally hit their target; yielding a result like “In the Rain,” a drum-pounding anthem. But while Flagship hit their target, we’re going to admit: that target wasn’t too terribly high. The risk...