January is traditionally a slow month for new music. People are still getting over the festive bump, the industry is still creaking back into life, it’s as far as you can get from ‘album of the year’ season. But this month there was plenty to pore over. David Bazan revived Pedro the Lion to memorable effect, Stay Nowhere and Earth […]
Read moreI mean, obviously. Always listen to worriedaboutsatan. Gavin Miller and Tom Ragsdale have been exploring uniquely organic electronica for over a decade now, never really putting a foot wrong, and if you haven’t been listening to them this whole time already, you’ve missed out. This reminder is timely though, as both halves of the Yorkshire outfit have new solo material […]
Read moreThis month’s playlist was the first to hang together on something of a theme. At least more of a theme than the usual ‘these are great songs in an order that sounds good’. As December stretched on while the days shrunk, it demanded a focus on the quieter, more ambient and atmospheric corners of Moderate Rock’s world. It’s not very […]
Read moreIt seems Spanish Love Songs have been around a while now but somehow the LA-based outfit and I have never crossed paths until tonight- me up too late for a workday, knowing that going to sleep means waking up, and them blasting through ‘Schmaltz’, a wordy and wonderful collection of anthemic indie and killer punk rock. The adrenaline and melodies […]
Read moreThe constant churn of new music normally slows down around November but this month has seen the release of classic American emo, great British metal, and at least one late, great, album of the year contender- and it feels like there’s still so much more to come. These are my favourite songs this month. I hope you find something to […]
Read moreScreamo might be one of the silliest genre names with a definition now distorted beyond all recognition but the original scene’s sound consistently produces some of the most earnest, honest, compelling music. Ruined Families, a four piece from Athens, Greece, are another fine, fiery example. Their 2016 full-length, ‘education’, is brilliantly chaotic at times, furiously focused at others, and essential […]
Read moreSure feels like the end of 2018 is screaming up fast huh? Before we truly enter list season and Album of the Year territory though, October was worth stopping and listening out for. From new names to returning legends, from neoclassical gloom to brusing British everythingcore, and three bands with deities in their name, the #moderaterockrecommends playlist features my favourite […]
Read moreBig Jesus have somehow passed me by until now and I have no idea how. The Atlanta, Georgia four-piece play fuzzy, buzzy, warm and anthemic, capital-r rock that’s right up my street and, hey, maybe yours. They released one full-length in 2016 and new EP, ‘Not a Dreamer’, is out today. For fans of Torche, Nothing, and My Bloody Valentine. […]
Read moreHoly crap was there a ton of good music out this month! There’s incredible metal, powerful post-rock, energy-boosting punk, and more than one album of the year contender in here and only half of the excellent releases are represented. I hope you find something to love. PIG DESTROYER- ‘The Last Song’ BOSSE-DE-NAGE- ‘Down Here’ ZAO- ‘Hide from the Light’ SVFFER- […]
Read moreAs they gear up to the release of their next record, seventh full-length ‘Phanerozoic’, The Ocean Collective are fixing to give sneak peeks at the writing and recording process. You can watch the first installment below. Skip to 1:20 to have your ears pinned to the side of your head. ‘Phanerozoic’ is out on November 2nd via Metal Blade (CD […]
Read more