Thursday, June 1

Reviews

Album Breakdown: “the record” by boygenius
Album Reviews, Music, Reviews

Album Breakdown: “the record” by boygenius

Written by Mckenna Ryan I simply need to talk about the genius (haha) new album from renowned Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker indie outfit, boygenius. All three musicians have been consistently slaying for years, both in their breathtaking solo work and 2018 self-titled EP. Bridgers has found the most mainstream success, but Baker and Dacus have an equally notable ability to craft complex, emotionally dense lyrics perfectly highlighted by stripped down production. The three of them come together under boygenius to create a unique, blended sound informed by their close friendship.  the record shifts from the solidly indie sound of their previous work to something somewhat more upbeat and rock influenced, and it is great. At its core, the album is a series of love...
100 gecs gec the heck out at Denver’s Mission Ballroom
Reviews, Shows, Uncategorized

100 gecs gec the heck out at Denver’s Mission Ballroom

Written by Sadie Almgren photo by Sadie Almgren “I went to wilderness therapy in Siberia”, I overhear someone say as I stand in what feels like a can of human sardines. Someone else holds their phone high above their head, playing the pilot episode of Breaking Bad, people eagerly crowd around to watch Walter White ask Jesse Pinkman to cook meth. I was standing in Denver’s Mission Ballroom on a Thursday evening, waiting for 100 gecs to come onstage.  Following their genre-defining 2019 album, 1000 gecs, 100 gecs recently released 10,000 gecs and subsequently embarked on the 10,000 Gecs Tour 2. Yeah, I know, that’s a lot of gecs to keep track of. 10,000 gecs offers a delicious combination of classic gecs-style autotuned vocals, ridiculously creative glitchy aesthetics, and stupid s...
redveil drowns Boston in sold-out tsunami of a show
Local Shows: Previews & Reviews, Music, Reviews, Shows

redveil drowns Boston in sold-out tsunami of a show

a.i. generated art of Water 2 Fire written by Mack Wagner After breaching the transit system, I step off the B train and scuttle towards a line of mostly college-aged kids inching towards the double-door entrance of the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Massachusetts.  Post security check and pat down, a dull green hallway, ridden with posters and names of past performers (including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ween, Billy Joel, Wilco, Joan Jett, and the Pixies), funnels me into a room buzzing with anticipation for the second night of quickly up and coming, independent Maryland rapper-producer redveil’s first headlining tour titled “Water 2 Fire.”  Locally known as “the Paradise,” this venue has a capacity of around 900 bodies. Offering up general admission tickets only, co...
Dominic Fike is Real
Reviews, Shows

Dominic Fike is Real

There are a lot of funny things about the Block Plan, but I think one of the more peculiar ones are those 20 minute breaks some professors give you around 10:35. On a random Tuesday in December I had run into an issue during one of those breaks where the Wordle wasn’t cutting it and the Colorado Coffee breakfast burrito wasn't calling my name like it usually does. I just needed something a little more fulfilling than Bon Appetite's potato/egg/cheese combo or the New York Times’ silly little games, so to AXS I went. The funny thing about that app is some concerts are so far away, or too distant in the future, and some have already passed. Low and behold, though, on that uncharacteristically warm December day, there was a Dominic Fike ticket for the same night – there couldn't have been...
Sidney Gish Concert Review
Reviews, Shows

Sidney Gish Concert Review

Sallie England Sidney Gish walked onto the stage confidently, but as the lights shot on a shaky hand revealed some gentle nerves. I felt nervous with her. It’s daunting sharing your diary content in front of a crowd. But her incredible guitar techniques and personal touches transcended any doubts a person could have had and left me with the feeling that I had just made friends with one of the most talented artists of our generation. Photo courtesy of Lisa Dibbern Sidney Gish began her set with a cover of STRFKR’s “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second”. Simple in its lyrics and guitar riffs this song choice set the stage for a playful hug of a set. She started her originals with “Where the Sidewalk Ends”. I loved this choice. This song reminds me of the deep love I have for my clos...
Seeing Sunny Day Real Estate
Reviews

Seeing Sunny Day Real Estate

Written by: Caleb Hering Standing Outside Ogden Theatre “Aren’t you forgetting something?” asked a voice behind me. I turned around and saw a man in his graying years, clad with heavy beanie and a fur-lined puffy overcoat. My arms, clamped to my chest, were bare. It was 17 degrees and I had only a white t-shirt. “Yes.” I laughed. Despite driving to Denver with a heavy jacket and beanie of my own, the ten minutes in the freezing cold was worth not having to deal with a coat-check. If I really got cold, I figured, I could just walk the 100 yards to my borrowed car and deal with the jacket anyway. “Oh man I am so warm… and toasty…” he continued to goat. This was how I met your father. Well now maybe not your father, but this began the single theme which distanced me fro...
The Best Verses of 2022
Artist Spotlight, Reviews

The Best Verses of 2022

2022 has seen some incredible verses, both guest features and artist's verses that stood out on their own song. I've compiled a list of 10 verses (and a few honorable mentions) that, in my opinion, were the best of the year. This could include lyrics, flow, effectiveness, and whether the verse makes you rewind it to listen to it again. (I've included time stamps for each verse, but I recommend listening to each song as a whole to fully experience the verses). Honorable Mentions "Freestyle 3" - Ken Carson Ken can't miss with his freestyle series. "Almighty Gnar" - Lil Gnar Lil Gnar one-ups Chief Keef on a song that's named after one of Sosa's legendary mixtapes. "Big 3" - Babytron "Wockiana turned my cream soda into HennessyPull up from wherever, I got demigod ...
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Conclude Their North American Tour at Red Rocks
Reviews, Shows

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Conclude Their North American Tour at Red Rocks

November at Red Rocks Amphitheater is sometimes a gamble with the changing seasons, but I had no hesitation when given the opportunity to attend another 3 hour marathon concert from King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s North American Tour. When I went to their first Red Rocks show in early October many of the fans held these tickets since their 2020 tour that was canceled due to COVID. The November date was a surprise, as the final show was tacked onto their tour promising the same feel-good giz energy as the first marathon show at Red Rocks. My friend flew into Denver with some film cameras after hearing the news and we eagerly waited in the longest line I have seen at Red Rocks- undisturbed by the cold in my gizzard-themed crocodile onesie. Note: I was encountered by multiple “...
Artist Spotlight, Local Shows: Previews & Reviews, Reviews, Shows

CONCERT REVIEW: The Front Bottoms at Mission Ballroom 10/11/21

By Henry Hodde The Front Bottoms’ performance at Mission Ballroom last Monday was a reminder that punk rock and roll is not dead. The genre is alive and well alright. It may not look the same as the days in which The Clash and The Ramones reigned supreme, nor does it sound like Metallica, or even Green Day. Nevertheless, fans of noise first and foremost ought not despair.  The Front Bottoms at Mission Ballroom The Front Bottoms are not a new band. Guitarist Brain Sella and childhood buddy Mathew Uychich began to write music together in 2007, adding Uychich’s brother Brian to complete the original lineup. Sella and Mathew Uychich still form the heart of the New Jersey band, but on Thursday, the founding duo were complemented by Erik Kase Romero and Natalie Newbold. The next ...
Reviews, Uncategorized

Concert Review: flipturn and Haiva Ru

By Margalit Goldberg As we walked down the stairs to meet our Uber, I remembered to ask everyone if they had their vaccine card. Being on campus, it's not something we all thought to carry around, but in the era of mid/post-pandemic live music, most venues are requiring proof of vaccination- including The Black Sheep. As we waited in line to enter the venue and had our IDs and vaccine cards checked, I scanned the crowd and it seemed like flipturn and Haiva Ru was drawing in an eclectic crowd. By the time the Haiva Ru came on stage, the venue was only about three rows full, but the excitement and energy from the crowd could be felt nonetheless. Having only listened to about three of Haiva Ru’s songs beforehand, I didn’t have many expectations. But right off the bat, the difference b...
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