Young Oceans has done a wonderful job of creating an ambient EP in Advent, taking old hymns and re-vitalizing them for the Sufjan Stevens/Iron and Wine crowd. While not as epic as a Sigur Ros album, this eclectic group of musicians take the slow building approach of setting a scene, before adding on to it, thickening their plots with each verse and chorus. The self-proclaimed “neo-alternative worship” band born out of New York City’s Trinity Grace Church succeeds with Advent, but it’s more of a meditative record; you probably wouldn’t put it on and listen to a couple singles. It does a much better job as personal worship and background music to set the mood.
Features
The Blackened Blues
With Anberlin putting a hold on its career, two of its members – Christian McAlhaney and Deon Rexroat – weren't ready to put on hold on music as their careers. Now, their former side project – a "blackened blues" rock and roll outfit – has become their main gig.
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The Pop-Punk Silver Lining
"I would hope from all of this madness we will come out of it and we're better equipped to understand and have compassion for each other." Releasing a new album during an historical epoch is certainly unique, and, for Neck Deep's 'All Distortions are Intentional,' the band looks to the future with a hopeful – and, yes, unique – approach.
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An Artist's Obsession
Telle Smith, vocalist for The Word Alive, is coming off the release of the band's sixth studio album, MONOMANIA. That was in February. This is, well, now. Originally planned to tour for the new album and play for millions, he’s in his house in California... trading stocks. HM contributing writer Andrew Voigt catches up with the quarantined Smith.
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Not Dead... Yet
After canning the entire album in 2015, Righteous Vendetta is ready to release 'Not Dead Yet' and prove they're still thriving. We recently got to sit down with Ryan Hayes, vocalist of Righteous Vendetta, to discuss the band's upcoming album, life in the Mountain West, and how the pandemic has him venturing into country music songwriting.
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