Walt Mink- Colossus (1997)
Posted by KB on 1/22/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
St. Paul's Walt Mink were a alt-power pop band that wove complex guitar rock with changing tempos and layered instrumentation. While not every song hits in the middle, not once can a listener call "Colossus" boring. Talented bands like Walt Mink don't become sensations because they are just too convoluted for the masses. Every day Joe's don't get unexpected song structure. For those who are a little more forward thinking and open minded should give this album a try.
Favorite Songs: Brave Beyond the Call, Goodnight, Freedom
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Superchunk- Songs in the Key of Yikes (2025)
Posted by KB on 1/22/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
Rarely do indie-cool band go on hiatus and come back stronger, more creative and outright better. Since re-emerging and releasing "Majesty Shredding" in 2010, Superchunk has done just that. Every release since has been brilliant, including "Songs in the Key of Yikes". Smart, energetic and relevant (musically and socially), SITKOY doesn't sound like a band that began in 1989. While their sound is unmistakable, it never becomes stale. The power chords are metal worthy, the tempos tap into punk and solos are concise and lively. I don't know what the hell I was thinking not including this in my top 20 of last year.
Favorite Songs: Care Less, Everybody Dies, Stuck in a Dream, Some Green
Glyders- Forever (2025)
Posted by KB on 1/14/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
A little Grateful Dead. A little King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. But not completely either. The guitar flanges, tempo changes - you can just feel that they want to take off to the stratosphere. The vocals are subdued but fit the vibe perfectly. Only drawback is that it drags in the middle and can feel slightly repetitive. Jam band fans should give this a spin.
Favorite Songs: Super Glyde, Hard Ride, Thousand Miles
R.E.M.- Green (1988)
Posted by KB on 1/14/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
I pulled this one out on Michael Stipe's 66th birthday, and it proves that there was a time when R.E.M. was the greatest band in the land (arguably the US's all time greatest band). It was the first album where Stipe's vocals were 100% front and center- this started on "Document" and was enhanced more, here on "Green" with excellent harmony by Mike Mills. Buck's guitar is inventive and full with dancing riffs and power chords. Released in 1988 "Green" still sounds fresh and is a legitimate classic.
Favorite Songs: Get Up, Turn You Inside Out, Orange Crush, [hidden track]
