With 2017’s Skin Deep EP, Shotgun Waltz has crafted a release that has earthy, quirky, gritty takes on love, disappointment and renewal wrapped in melodic guitar-oriented texture. The group was formed in 2012 by Jim DeTore, singer songwriter and longtime supporting musician to many Boston bands teams with Bob Metzger, who for years was the touring guitarist with Leonard Cohen, as well as talented scene veteran Jose Downes from Low Sparks, on bass, and former Lines drummer, Rick Weden. The record was produced by Ed Valauskas, engineered by Pat DiCenso, and mastered by Mike Quinn.
rock
Philosophical Zombie – Cotard’s
Cotard’s, Philosophical Zombie’s newest album transports the listener to a dark, beautiful, dreamy world. The flow of the album has a hypnotic effect, transitioning from spacious ambient sections filled with long delays, rich reverbs and whirling synths to more driving sections, which feature crunchy guitars married to electronic drum sounds. Songs like Tom Says God and The Clock Runs Backwards highlight contagious hooks that contrast the more open sections of the album. Tracked and mixed by James Bridges in the last days of the old Studio D, Cotard’s is a new offering for those seeking experimental sounds in the context of strong songwriting.
Abbie Barrett – That Shame
That Shame, Abbie Barrett’s most recent album, was produced by Ed Valauskas and recorded and mixed by Pat DiCenso at Q’s Studio A. Layers of distorted guitars paired with punchy drums provide high-octane backdrops for Abbie’s attitude-driven voice and rebellious, light-hearted lyrics. Q’s Mellotron and Farfisa color That Shame with otherworldly textures and sounds, played by Ed, who also played bass for the album. Listen to That Shame on Bandcamp.
Peter Buzzelle – Devil Love
Peter Buzzelle And The Academy’s September release, Devil Love is filled with crunchy guitars, driving drums and carefree, fun lyrics. Tracked at both 1867 and Q, and mixed by James Bridges in Studio A, this outing finds PB and his band in full on 90’s rock mode. You can listen to Devil Love on Bandcamp.
Pale Monsters – Take What You Can Take
Take What You Can Get is the debut release from Boston-based Indie Rock band, Pale Monsters. Fronted by Chris Mulvey, former member of Muy Cansado, Pale Monsters finds Mulvey’s signature songwriting style in a new musical outfit. Produced by Jon Lupfer and engineered by James Bridges at 1867 during the closing of Q’s Studio B and completed in Studio A at Q Division, Take What You Can Get was released this past June. With dreamy synths, luscious soundscapes and playful songwriting, Pale Monsters are an exciting new offering to the Boston music community. You can listen to Take What You Can Get on Bandcamp.
