Album Reviews: Chicks, Protomartyr, Illuminati Hotties

 The Chicks — Gaslighter (Dallas, TX) Simply speaking up and being honest about their politics rattled things for the Chicks (fka The Dixie Chicks) over a decade ago, but they're back to try and run with that spirit in their music. With an alt-pop sound that lets their country roots

Album Reviews: June 25, 2018

 Protomartyr - Consolation (Detroit) After their last album, Protomartryr needed to clear the chamber on their material to move forward. Though it doesn't bring the same over-arching thematic glory of their recent LP, this new record is a fierce and dynamic set of songs. Rallying cries and vicious riffs roar

Ottawa Life’s Top Albums of 2017

 10. Protomartyr - Relatives In Descent (Domino) No record snarls quite as much this year as Protomartyr's latest, but the band's absolutely unpredictable sense of composition is what makes Relatives In Descent such a rush of a journey. Rollicking drums and horrifying drones blare through "A Private Understanding" while the

Album Reviews: October 16, 2017

 Weaves - Wide Open  (Toronto) Always trying to push the envelope one way or the other, Weaves have come with roaring pop on their second record, making their raw sound more accessible without feeling dishonest. With even more emotion than their debut, and some of their weirdest tracks to date,