Tom Lynch

Born from the ocean of D.C. influences--like, well, Fugazi--plus classic rock, riff-heavy lords like Zeppelin or Black Sabbath, Dead Meadow has, simply put, become one of the most thrilling bands in the States with 2003's "Shivering King and Others" and last year's tremendous "Feathers." The low-register, droning instrumentation exudes a musical depth deliciously unfiltered and importantly raw--there are forests of doom in this band's records, each song a new monster. The group's debut record, which was originally released in 1999 on Fugazi bassist Joe Lally's Tolotta Records, has gotten a much-deserved re-release thanks to Xemu (Lally's label went out of business and the self-titled debut was basically lost). More experimental and dreary when compared to the recent material, the band's youth is apparent, but it's terrifically rewarding to listen to how they've grown as musicians since. Intelligent but not pretentious, aggressive but not irresponsible, Dead Meadow is nearly perfect. (2006-11-20)

Also by Tom Lynch

The Drinking Life
"Alcohol is probably one of the greatest things to arrive upon the earth," Charles Bukowski once said. He was on to something
(2006-11-14)

For Heavens Sake
Alkaline Trio's guitarist and vocalist Matt Skiba--who's also the only remaining original member of the band, which launched a decade ago--has a new project on the horizon, called Heavens, a two-man collaboration between Skiba and musician Josiah Steinbeck of F-Minus
(2006-11-14)

Tip of the Week
The incessant snare-hitting that opens Bon Savant's "Post-Rock Saves the Nation" leads to a great album opener in "What We Need," leader Thom Moran's deep, brooding vocals heading a guitar-heavy, keyboard-glittered march into indie-pop mayhem
(2006-11-14)

And They Feel Fine
Brooklyn's The End of the World received heaping handfuls of attention far before its new, debut full-length record, "You're Making It Come Alive," was a sparkle in its collective eye
(2006-11-07)

Tip of the Week
(2006-11-07)

Soundcheck
(2006-10-31)

Bands of Brothers
(2006-10-31)

What Are You, Chicken?
(2006-10-31)

Tip of the Week
(2006-10-31)

Tip of the Week
(2006-10-24)

Tip of the Week
(2006-10-24)

Crowned Kings
(2006-10-17)

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