What we’re all listening to right now

Music is life — or at least it is for us. When we’re not writing about it, we’re thinking about it, talking about it or listening to it. These are the things that were in heavy rotation for us this week. What are you listening to? What should we be…

Cryogen

Cryogen’s Continuum dazzles with studio production, but the band makes an even bigger statement by offering up intricate, melodic death-metal guitars that would rock on an unpolished demo tape. The album is bolstered with digital symphonic effects that add drama to the music, similar to the approach taken by bands…

Abandin Pictures

Fans of bands like Felt and the more twee side of the Church will find something to like on Abandin Pictures’ Who Killed the Dinosaurs, with its soaring dynamics and simple melodies highlighting subtle sonic textures and details. “Recess” has the kind of down-tempo, slightly melancholy vibe of Within and…

Lawn Chair Kings

It’s pretty easy to get a feel for what the Lawn Chair Kings are all about from “Zombies,” the opening cut on the Durango-based act’s third release, Zombies Wake! While the band injects a fair amount of Midwest gritty rock à la the Replacements into the song’s chorus, the verses…

Ibis Giant

As an MC, Ibis Giant is quite good. His subject matter is original and, for that reason, usually interesting, and his flow is old-school rugged — reminiscent of Jedi Mind Tricks’ Jus Allah. On Fatez Relic, you get the sense that he’s making music entirely for himself, which is an…

Eminem’s “The Monster,” featuring Rihanna: Why This Song Sucks

In his new column, award-winning goofball Shea Serrano, whose recent exploits include Bun B’s Rapper Coloring and Activity Book, writes about his life and times. Song: Eminem’s “The Monster,” featuring Rihanna History: Eminem did a freestyle battle. He went up against Papa Doc and choked. It was pretty sad. Then…

A. Tom Collins joins Atomic Music Group roster

A. Tom Collins recently submitted its music to be considered for a support slot for Reverend Horton Heat’s show at the Black Sheep in Colorado Springs on Saturday, December 28. Not only did the act land the gig, but it ended up getting picked up by the Atomic Music Group,…

The twenty best jams of Phish 3.0

When Phish reunited in 2009, the 3.0 era of the band was born. While classics like “Tweezer” and “Carini” still reap fantastic rewards, newer songs have been given a chance to shine and grow, be it through psychedelic looping or rapid-fire staccato rhythms. Despite what some may say, Phish still…

The Grammy hip-hop nods are a joke

That time again. The Grammy Awards have revealed this year’s nominees. The picks couldn’t be any less interesting, particularly the hip-hop nods. It’s as if the committee picked artists that, together, would satisfy the broadest audience — take the commercial hit of the year, the critical hit of the year,…

Review: moe. at Ogden Theatre, 12/7/13

MOE. at OGDEN THEATRE | 12/7/13 moe. opened its tour in Denver this weekend, and the time the guys spent in the studio really had them ready. Vocal harmonies were on point all night and the outfit played seamless transitions all night, along with offering a few moments of psychedelic…

Review: EOTO at Fillmore Auditorium, 12/7/13

EOTO at FILLMORE AUDITORIUM | 12/7/13 When Jason Hann sang the opening line of “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins towards the end of EOTO’s set, it seemed more appropriate than cheesy. Also a singing drummer, Hann offered a heavier dub take of the song, rather than the pounding…

The best concerts to see in Denver this week

ZZ WARD, ALICE IN WINTERLAND at SUMMIT MUSIC HALL | 12/12/13 Zsuzsanna Ward got her start singing classic blues and R&B in her father’s band at age twelve. The experience instilled in her a keen sense of melody and vocal expressiveness that served her well when she moved to Los…