Album Review: “The Clouds Hill Tapes Part I-III” by Omar Rodríguez-López

This summer continues to see tracks released by multi-Instrumentalist/composer Omar Rodríguez-López (ORL) from his new 3LP vinyl box-set entitled “The Clouds Hill Tapes Parts I-III.” The complete vinyl box-set, which was finally released today July 24th, contains vinyl-only tracks along with the yet to be heard Part III. This vinyl box-set arrives just in time for the summer blues that have been plaguing the party nation. These albums include new recordings of three sessions dating from the years 2018-2019 recorded at the Clouds Hill Studios. Part I features eight pieces, and Part II and III six pieces each. All of these tracks are performed by Omar Rodríguez-López and include a range of guest musicians.

In this album review Hazy Eye Music Media’s contributor Joseph Strand reviews “The Clouds Hill Tapes Part I-III” by Omar Rodríguez-López. ORL is best known as the guitarist and driving force behind At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta; however, this project takes the listener down an alternate path. “Each part is a different path to a different world. Each track a different incantation. Omar Rodríguez-López again shows us what kind of pan-dimensional musical collaborator he is.” Continue reading below for Joseph’s full review.

Album Review: Inlet by Hum

The reemergence of the band Hum is that of lost astronauts, revisiting the Earth, after over 20 years of flight. Their latest (and possibly greatest ) effort, Inlet, is massive. This is an album that undulates between the hardest and most ethereal they’ve ever been.The landing of this album has been met with a very warm welcome from fans. With the current restraints on live music performance still pending, I’d chalk Hum up to be one of the most anticipated bands to hit any stage in 2021.

In this album review Hazy Eye Music Media’s contributor Joseph Strand reviews Hum’s fifth studio album, Inlet, released on June 23, 2020. “This 8 song album is another opus from Talbott.” Continue reading for Joseph’s full review.

Album Review: Don’t Bleed by Le Butcherettes

If you are a die hard fan of Teri Gender Bender and Le Butcherettes you were not disappointed with this new EP. If you recently discovered the band since the album’s release on Valentine’s Day, you were likely struck by Gender Bender’s crooked arrow of love.

From the opening track “Wounds Belong To Me” featuring Teri on acoustic guitar, singing into what sounds like an old cassette recorder, to the album’s closing track “Boom” dropping an 808 alongside contorted lead lines and idiosyncratic beats, and variations of electronic rock songs in between, Don’t Bleed is an eclectic 7 song journey through love and femininity’s deeper shades via one of rock music’s most colorful female artists.

In this album (EP) review Hazy Eye Music Media’s contributor Joseph Strand reviews Le Butcherettes’ Don’t Bleed released on February 14, 2020. “A must for burning and broken hearts alike.” Continue reading for Joseph’s full review. All words by Joseph Strand.

Album Review: Reunions by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s new musical excursion, Reunions, is a wonderful concoction of music and lyrics that Isbell uses to provide insight into the human condition. With his wife Amanda Shires on violin and background vocals, and David Crosby on background vocals on some songs, the band shines on with country-flavored rock anthems that nicely fit into the Americana genre. In this album review, Hazy Eye Music Media’s contributor Rick Jones reviews the alt-country album Reunions released on May 15, 2020. All words by Rick Jones. Thanks Rick!