2019 has been a year for me to rediscover my love and adoration of all things punk, hardcore, and metal. Now, I wrote about more than just those types of bands this year, so thankfully, my list will be relatively diverse. However, It should be noted that it took at least three revisions until we got to this point, so bear with me. It should also be noted that none of these releases are in any particular order.  Albums and EPs Dirty Junk - On Yr Knees ( Don't Panic Records & Distro ) Dirty Junk is probably the band that first rekindled my love of punk and hardcore with their 2019 EP, On Yr Knees . Its unbridled energy and unchecked rage was the punch to the stomach needed to start the year off right. The band stretches new songwriting muscles with this EP. Unyielding blastbeats and tremolo-picked guitars give way to twinkling interludes and sludgy breakdowns. Renn Fontana and Ace Robbins use their proclivity toward dissonance and chaotic instrumentals to crea...

Want shows? We got them. Here is your list for gigs happening in the Twin Cities this week. Monday: 4/30 Rolling Blackout Coastal Fever - 7th Street Entry Broken Dead - Hexagon Bar Matt Blair - Icehouse  Tuesday: 5/1 theyself and they self - Amersterdam Bar and Hall Constellation Band - Palmers Bar Whosah - 7th Street Entry Wednesday: 5/2 Kevin Morby - Cedar Cultural Center The Dead South - 7th Street Entry The Bad Companions - Lee's Liquor Lounge Thursday: 5/3 Kitten Forever - Loring Bar and Restaurant Naked Giants - Turf Club Melvv - 7th Street Entry Friday: 5/4 Unknown Mortal Orchestra - First Avenue Mainroom Trampled By Turtles - Palace Theater The 4onthefloor - VFW Post 246  Saturday: 5/5 Trampled By Turtles - Palace Theater The Cactus Blossoms - Hopkins Center for the Arts Rebel Queens - Nomad World Pub

We may have missed last Monday's gig-list, but we are back at it again this week to help you find a concert to go to this week. Monday 4/23 Almighty American - Turf Club Hurray For The Riff Raff w/ Waxahatchee - First Ave Valinor Excelsior w/ Threat Signal, Joey Muha and More - Lee's Liquor Lounge Tuesday 4/24 Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/ Caamp - First Ave  Langhorne Sling - Cedar Cultural Center Joan Shelly - Turf Club Wednesday 4/25 No Age - 7th Street Entry Transmission w/ Jake Rudh - VFW Post 246 The Moth Story Slam - Amsterdam Bar & Hall Thursday 4/26 King Lil G - The Cabooze Straya and Yazan - Eagles Club 34 Edward the Confessor, Candid Kid, and More - Mortimers Bar Friday 4/27 Franz Ferdinan - First Ave Indigo Girls - Varsity Theater Jeff Rosenstock - Coffmen Memorial Union (U of M) Nick Check and The Dead Century - The Pourhouse Saturday 4/28 Bon Jovi - Xcel Energy Center Mia Dyson - Cedar Cultural Center Kamelot ...

Over eight albums, the Decemberists have built a career on making music that lets the listener know that the band not only plays acoustic instruments, but that they also read a lot of old books. The band has drawn inspiration from history, folklore, and other old-timey sources to spin epic tales full of beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics. However, it seems the Decmeberists have decided to upset the applecart a bit with their newest album I'll Be Your Girl . Front-man and songwriter Colin Meloy branched out from large narratives to standalone songs that act as a collection of standalone vignettes. What follows on I'll Be Your Girl is 40 minutes of mismatched song ideas. The first single, "Severed," is the band's best impression of a new wave band. The song itself is captivating, but it is an example of what Meloy and company are looking for something to do something new. The first half of the album is pretty solid. The opening track "For Once In My L...

Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial (2016) The wordiest, most ironic, most depressed indie rock out there. It also happens to be some of the best! Last week, I gave Twin Fantasy a listen before the re-release and then decided to revisit Will Toledo and Co.'s most recent album. It's even better than I remember. "Fill in the Blank" and "Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales" have some of the most satisfying hooks in CSH's discography. The first half of the record is definitely more engaging, while the second half is a sprawl of very long songs. While still very good, it's a bit more tiring if listened to in one sitting. If Toledo's lyrics weren't as great, it would be an unfortunate slog. Soccer Mommy - Songs for the Recently Sad (2015) Sophie Allison is finally prepping for her official debut album, following last year's 'best of' compilation Collection . To honor the occasion, I dove into her Bandcamp back catalogue. H...