Spew

Eerie childlike nostalgia

MICHAEL SWAN: CD REVIEW >>>

Lauren Faulkner, program director for KUPS 90.1 FM in Tacoma, reviews Hospice, the new CD from The Antlers, on our Web site.

Brian Redman tribute, New Abstract Rude CD

WEEKLY VOLCANO: MUSIC NEWS >>>

Brian Redman, R.I.P.: Overwhelming pain grips Tacoma with the loss of a loved friend and true original.

Brian Redman Memorial: The musical line up has been set. Amazing.

Rejuvenation: Spencer Wadnizak, hip-hop music director at KUPS 90.1 FM, reviews the new Abstract Rude album.

KUPS 90.1FM record reviews are back

KUPS STAFF: RECORD REVIEW FRIDAYS >>>

Editor’s Note: As has become tradition, every Friday the fresh-faced kids over at KUPS 90.1FM — the awesome UPS student run radio station — will be stepping away from the microphone and offering up a well-crafted review of a recent record release. Today marks the first such review, and they’ll continue throughout the school year.

Le Loup, Family
Reviewed by Kayla Morrison, Alternative Music Director KUPS 90.1 FM Tacoma

Le Loup’s 2007 album The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly (yes, that really is the title) was one of the most criminally underappreciated albums of 2007. Now Le Loup is back with Family, out this past Tuesday on Hardly Art, and they have crafted another gem.

Incorporating traditional melodies, multi-part harmonies, a little bit of banjo, and a lot of awesomeness, Sam Simkoff and friends have created the perfect sophomore album: different enough to not be redundant but not so different as to disgust superfans such as myself.

The album opens with the soft drum and banjo fanfare of “Saddle Mountain” and seamlessly flows through several brilliant but unassuming songs before reaching its climax in “Neahkahnie” — a joyful, raucous banjo, guitar, and dusty church basement piano number. 

Don’t let Family suffer the fate of its younger brother; this album definitely deserves your love and attention.

Jerin Falkner review

ANGELA JOSSY: BREAK UP WITH PYRO-AESTHETIC >>>

I’ve always believed that people should judge for themselves what music they like. Music is such a powerful thing that I feel like it can never truly be described in words. Once in awhile I’m compelled to try anyway. Pyro-Aesthetic, a new CD by Jerin Falkner, is a fascinating work of art well worth the effort. 

With several records to her credit and what must be hundreds of live performances, Falkner has navigated her music career with a professionalism and work ethic that few others care to, and it shows on this record.

Pyro-Aesthetic is different from Falkner’s previous records, which were more acoustic guitar based. If you enjoyed her other albums, I’m sure you will be a fan of the new record as well despite the change in genre and soundscape because her earthy and sometimes ethereal vocals are still the focal point of the material. The melodies are still prominent. Her personal thoughts, feelings and emotions are still naked on the table — only now they are delicately wrapped in silk and synth. 

KUPS CD review Friday

WEEKLY VOLCANO: IT'S BACK! >>>

After much too long of a wait, the KUPS CD review is back. And it's Friday! Really, does life get any better?

This week KUPS's Caitlin Boersma reviewed John Vanderslice's Romanian Names.

Check it out by clicking here.

KUPS CD review Friday

WEEKLY VOLCANO: TGIF >>>

The end of the work week is upon us once again, meaning it will soon be time for Matt Driscoll to get so drunk he takes his pants of in public.

But Friday means it's also time for a CD review from an esteemed member of the KUPS 90.1 the Sound staff.

This week, KUPS Local Music Directory Quinn Lewington reviews Here We Go Magic.

To check it out, click here.

KUPS CD review Friday

WEEKLY VOLCANO: TGIF! >>>

Friday means it's time for yet another record review from the fine staff of KUPS, 90.1 The Sound.

Of course, at the Weekly Volcano, Friday also means it's time for office body shots and naked text messaging - but we won't get into that.

Today, KUPS staffer Ian Gowing reviews Marco Benevento's Me Not Me.

You can find that review by clicking here.

KUPS CD review Friday

WEEKLY VOLCANO STAFF: TGIF, YO! >>>

It's Friday again, thank god, meaning it's time for yet another CD review from the fabulous staff of KUPS The Sound.

This week, Kayla Morrison reviews DM Stith and Heavy Ghost.

Check it out here.

KUPS CD review Friday

KUPS STAFF: GOES MINIMAL TECHNO >>>

It's Friday again, which means it's time for another CD review from the KUPS staff.

This week, Eddie Leventer, KUPS Electronic Music Director reviews Robin Jacobs & Martex's Good Rock Dancing out on Trust Us Records in March.

You can check out that review by clicking here.

KUPS CD review Friday

KUPS STAFF: OFFERS IT'S MUSICAL CRITIQUE >>>

It's Friday again, which means it's time for another CD review from the KUPS staff.

This week, Thea Trindle reviews Dent May, and his new record, The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele.

You can check out that review by clicking here.