The week of December 5th

Another fine edition of the Rift Editors Blog and the CDs keep rolling in.

Stnnng - Fake Fake
These guys might have pulled it off, putting out two great CDs in a row. This CD is great and maybe just a bit better then their first. The songs feature heavy intricate duel guitars with a great rhythm section and irreverent vocal lines spoken over the top. While the spoken vocal style might be compared to The Hold Steady, Chris Besinger makes Craig Finn sound like a whiny baby.
www.stnnng.com

Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 3
Todd Millenacker of Avenpitch has done a great job getting the word out about the local Electropunk scene. This comp contains some great songs, and if you wondering what Electropunk is, think of digital music with an attitude.
www.tcelectropunk.com

Jessy Greene – A Demon & Her Lovers
While she goes off and plays violin for many other artists and in many genres of music, Jessy Greene also writes and records her own songs. Her ethereal voice works well with mixes of electronic arrangements, great musicians and her great violin playing.
www.myspace.com/jessygreene

Lolly-Pop – Self Titled
Quirky and funny, Lolly-Pop aka Brooke Alridge brings back 80’s dance music with her own attitude and pizzazz.
www.electrolollypop.com

Parts For All Makes – Shrinkwrapped Hearts and Paperdolls
With the title of this CD and the pink cover art, should I feel like I am less of a man for liking this? The band does a good job of doing something pop worthy without being all bubblegum and boring.
www.myspace.com/partsforallmakes

Steropiate – Residue
Nick Roseth has put all the pressure on himself on this CD calling it his “magnum opus”. The intro drags a bit, but the second song comes alive a bit more. The influences he lists on his one sheet, Tool and Nine Inch Nails are a good indicator of what this music is and he does do an all right job of pulling it off.
www.stereopiate.com

Full Stack – Venus
Full Stack encapsulates what is so right and wrong about hard rock music. From their “chick” silhouetted CD cover all the way to their Velvet Revolver type riffs. Thirty something hard rock fans who want to relive their youth – Full Stack will fit your lifestyle perfectly.
www.fullstackrock.com

Xerus - …This Impossible Everything
It might be impossible for me to get over the vocals on this CD. First starting off from the off key harmony intro and even to the rest of the songs, the vocals never find a comfortable place. As an evolving band, hopefully they can figure out where everything fits.
www.xeruslives.com

Shaan Sharma – The All New End
Pop music that doesn’t really stand out, Shaan Sharma will have his work cut out for him. Terms like “Commercially viable” and catch the attention of MTV are on his one sheet, so maybe he will get a song on My Sweet Sixteen or some other boring MTV show.
www.shaansharma.com

Choplogic – Rah Raw Radio
From their artwork and cool title, I was stoked to hear this CD. I like the mix of the keyboards with indie low-fi rock sound, but wish the vocals were a little higher in the mix.
www.myspace.com/choplogix

The Angry Mothers – Faking It
I like bands with a sense of humor and from the cover and song titles like Please Drink Responsibilty and K-Martyr seem to fit this band well. Their garage rock sound and gravelly vocals don’t come off as anything but genuine and make this a well rounded package.
www.theangrymothers.com

over and out! - www.riftmagazine.com