75 or Less Records


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WELCOME TO THE 75ORLESS
MUSIC REVIEW WEBSITE

Currently with over 1,600 reviews in our archives, we have been describing music since October 2001.


TEN IN OUR EARDRUMS - updated August 6, 2010
IamIs - Trance Enducer (self released)
Royal Forest - self titled EP (self released)
STE Guy - Fairground in the Trees (self released)
The Harvey Girls - I've Been Watching A Lot of Horror Movies Lately (Circle Into Square)
Unbunny - Moon Food (Hidden Agenda)
Tre Orsi - Devices + Emblems (Comedy Minus One)
Bottomless Pit - Blood Under the Bridge (Comedy Minus One)
The State Lottery - When the Night Calls (Salinas)
Dina Maccabee - Who Do You Suppose You Are? (Antephonic)
Hillstomp - Darker the Night (self released)


Why 75orLess?
It's a reasonable question. The idea was born during our daily music chats back in the Fall of 2001, while discussing reviews we'd read. There was only one thing we consistently agreed on: they were too long. It seemed the point of how the music sounded and whether or not it was good was lost in an overlong mess of lyric quotes, personal accounts and a seemingly desperate attempt to fulfill a word count. Eventually someone said, "It's gotten to the point where if you can't say it in 75 words or less, you should shut the eff up". Within a week, 75orless.com was born. The best part about our limit is its reversal of typical music reviews. We limit the amount of words we use, and are not required to reach a number.

Welcoming brit pop, flip hop, hip hop, trip hop, nintendocore, nerdcore, sadcore, grindcore, hardcore, rockabilly, shockabilly, psychobilly, disco, narcocorrido, techno, turbo, electro, tango, zolo, soul, new new wave, new age, nu gaze, nu metal, new grass, new romantic, black metal, tap, neo-psychedelia, prog, kabuki, surf, noise, show tunes, prison metal, synth, ragtime, tuvan throat-singing, death, improv, idm, swamp, tin pan alley, crust, electronic, indie, pagan, folk, merseybeat, punk, lo-fi, pop, western, gothic, samba, travesty, reggae, jazz, blues, acid, avant-garde, easy listening, sludge, viking, polka, garage, country, no wave, wizard, rap, jug, twee, swing, electronic hardcore, comedy, math rock, nordic, space age, medieval, thrash, muzak, beatbox, old metal, world, yer major label industry crap and all other music submissions.

To be considered for a review, send musical submissions to:

75orLess
ATTN: Reviews
23 Laurel Lane
Warren, RI 02885

I should mention, we also love vinyl submissions.


Another option available for submissions is to make your release available for easy download. Please make sure that your music is available for download as 160kb mp3 (or better). Zip files with music and info are very welcome. No streaming, wav, flac, real player, windows media or quicktime files will be considered. We will not install any proprietary music players that are required to hear your music. Send your link to: 75orless [at] gmail.com

No matter how you submit your music, here's a few things to keep in mind...

Please include some info with your submission, it doesn't have to be fancy. We just need some sort of starting point like, "This album sounds like heavy metal mixed with Brazilian pop music." Giving us a description of your music greatly increases your chances of getting reviewed. We are sorry to report we cannot review all submissions. We are a very small operation and our staff is completely volunteer. If your music is great, we will let our readers know. It doesn't matter to us if you are on a major label or you recorded it in your basement. On the flip side of that, if you are too sensitive to handle an unfavorable review, please refrain from submitting. We like to give descriptive or generally positive reviews but sometimes can't help ourselves. You should not email us to ask us if it's alright to submit music.

If you have the desire to write about music, let us know. we are always looking for contributors. you can email us at info [at] 75orless.com for the submission guidelines. Here are the basics:

1. our writers do not get paid.
2. if you work for a label, promotional company, band or have other connections, be prepared to not write about them.

Some of the compliments we have received

Dolphin Music Top 100 Music Related Blogs of 2008 - #82
Best Music Weblog "Bloggie" nominee 2004
Providence Phoenix Nominee for Best Blog 2008-2010
Time Magazine's Fifteen Great Sites for Musicians and Fans 2003
Yahoo! Pick of The Day 2002
Yahoo! Best of 2002
USA Today's Hot Sites 2002
and thank you, Shift Magazine. It's a real shame you went bankrupt.

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75 or Less
album reviews in 75 words or less
(but words with 2 letters or fewer do not count)

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Fennesz · Daniell · Buck  - Knoxville Fennesz · Daniell · Buck - Knoxville (Thrill Jockey) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Only familiar with the work of Christian Fennesz, I'm using this album as a personal stepping-stone into new musical terrain; David Daniell and Tony Buck. Recorded live, these four tracks capture a trio meandering and then tumbling over each others' distinct sounds. Captured moments of caution and conflict, possibly preserved to compliment your own creative endeavors. - cameron
Released 08.24.2010
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Matt the Electrician - Animal Boy Matt the Electrician - Animal Boy (self released) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Those fortunate enough to see Matt The Electrician live know of this charming troubadour's effect on a crowd, armed only with his guitar, a gruff voice, and some stories. Listening to songs like "For Angela" give a glimpse into this experience, but the full band sound on songs like "College" and "Divided By 13" really impress. They serve as a how-to for any one man band looking to expand their sound in the studio. Expect purists to demand a stripped-down Animal Boy...Naked version of the album in thirty years. - cormac
Released 01.10.2010
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Tre Orsi - Devices + Emblems Tre Orsi - Devices + Emblems (Comedy Minus One) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Producers have to resist the urge to create mirror images of themselves on the band they are recording (see Jeff Lynne 1987-2007). Tre Orsi's first full length is produced by ex-Silkworm/current The New Year member Bubba Kadane. There are similarities such as the dry, subdued vocals but whereas The New Year start their build up from a whisper and konk out at mid-tempo, Tre Orsi begin at the mid-tempo point and then blast into heavy indie rock. Other reference points include Chavez, Polvo and Bottomless Pit. - mark
Released 03.23.2010
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Jack Babineau - Generation of Need Jack Babineau - Generation of Need (self released) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Acoustic guitar driven love songs, accented by harmonica, slinky soul riffs, and a piano ballad, as if James Taylor stumbled upon the offshoot of the fountain of youth somewhere in the Providence River. The full band treatment adds a little more oomph to the title track and he is joined on "Love Now" by Charise White, who adds booming female vocals. Fair to say, he has mastered all the traits of the sensitive singer songwriter genre, but I'm more looking forward to the album he writes after she leaves him. - mark
Released 05.17.2010
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The State Lottery -  When the Night Comes The State Lottery - When the Night Comes (Salinas) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Within the first ten seconds of this vinyl-only release, the first blast of saxophone is followed by piano and an avalanche of sweaty, genuine rock and roll; sax wailing behind yelling vocals and a shout out loud chorus. Lyrics about growing up in NYC, suicide, boy scouts, shooting guns, and mortality. The eight minute album-ending "Spring 2008 Detroit" takes all the best elements and rolls it into one giant epic sing-along. A high energy sweat-soaked Benjamin Button version of the E Street Band. - mark
Released 06.14.2010
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Best Coast - Crazy For You Best Coast - Crazy For You (Mexican Summer) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Bethany Cosentino debuted Best Coast last year with a pleasant-enough single called "When I'm With You." Now, Best Coast is full-blown thing. There's a trend right now among young bands that focuses on summer and warmth and waves, and it's stretched year-round. Best Coast embodies all these things, but mashes them into pop nuggets that hearken back to a less complicated time. Crazy For You might be the best indie pop album from 1993 you never heard until now. - sam
Released 07.27.2010
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The Harvey Girls -  I've Been Watching a Lot of Horror Movies Lately The Harvey Girls - I've Been Watching a Lot of Horror Movies Lately (Circle Into Square) [upcoming shows] [audio]

The Harvey Girls are a husband & wife duo based out of Portland, Oregon that use a combination of analog sources, including chanting and hand claps with the studio experimentation of cascading synths, radio waves, sound effects and theremin to create sonically organic pop. "A Letter to the Bees" perfectly meshes Eric's Trip-like indie pop with the space lounge of Stereolab and the seven minute "Caerse Muerto" repeats guitar scales while slowly integrating sound effects and climaxing with flourishes of trumpets. - mark
Released 06.29.2010
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The High Seas - Threads EP The High Seas - Threads EP (Kicking In) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Captain Beefheart used to run around his band, showing them different paintings. Play this! This is similar to how I imagine these songs are composed. Trains going offtrack, now you're in a duckboat at Rocky Point. Humpty Dumpty ripping apart scores by Archers of Loaf, US Maple, The Fall, and Television, and putting them back together with silly putty. Multiple sung and screamed vocals, herky jerky grooves, sodimized guitars, this has it all. - eric b
Released 03.17.2010
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Last One Out - Whammy EP Last One Out - Whammy EP (self released) [upcoming shows] [audio]

If Adam Duritz of Counting Crows started a rock band, it would be Last One Out. This piano centered pop/rock band attempts to find their sound on Whammy. From the catchy, sing-along pop, "Last One Out" to the rough rock "Pierce the Crust" which is dripping with sexual references, Last One Out is a new, promising band experimenting with lyrics, rhythmic lines, and piano melodies. - kelly
Released 03.15.2010
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Morcheeba - Blood Like Lemonade Morcheeba - Blood Like Lemonade (Pias America) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Morcheeba has morphed from trip-hop to a sound that can't be put in any single category. From airy folk on "I Am the Spring" to full-out techno on "Cut to the Chase," it's amazing how many different styles Morcheeba can pull off. Sky Edwards will send chills down your spine with her vocals, which can border on downright creepy, and the Godfrey brothers will blow your mind with their mastery of sound. Morcheeba has fully matured, and an incredible album stands as proof. - ashton
Released 06.15.2010
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La Otracina -  Woven Wanderers EP La Otracina - Woven Wanderers EP (Colour Sounds) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Strap on your seat belts, put on your helmets and prepare to be blasted into space. The album starts like Ummagumma-era Pink Floyd, strummed acoustics,congas, whispers, and delays on everything. This is spiritual music; Joseph Campbell has this piped in his coffin. Quiet for a long time, things get scary and resemble The Shining soundtrack. Heavy drums and guitars come in to end the album in a heavy psych manner. Beautiful, terrifying and trippy. - eric b
Released 02.02.2010
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We Are Scientists - Barbara We Are Scientists - Barbara (Masterswan Recordings) [upcoming shows] [audio]

We Are Scientists continue to refine their sound in this solid release. It is a sound, however, that can take some warming up to. The drums are very forward in the mix, and the sound is very layered and synth-heavy, especially in the first few songs. As the album develops, song by song, Barbara reveals itself to be a surprisingly diverse work. With some genius hooks and great lyrics, this record is a certain road trip hit. - ashton
Released 06.15.2010
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The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You (Sony) [upcoming shows] [audio]

The deceptively poppy "Kick Drum Heart" is not representative of The Avett Brothers' I and Love and You. Look closer: you'll find some jangle and twang, genetically connected harmonies (they are brothers), and surprisingly rockin' bridges that take you on unexpected journeys. Lyrically, this album is the epitome of simple sincerity. From the vulnerable "January Wedding" to the self-aware "Ill With Want," I find new ways to fall in love with each listen. - stacie d.
Released 02.02.2010
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The Bird and The Bee - Interpreting the Masters, Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates The Bird and The Bee - Interpreting the Masters, Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates (Blue Note) [upcoming shows] [audio]

The Bird and The Bee recognize the pop genius of Daryl Hall & John Oates, and have taken on the grueling task of selecting only a handful of their ubiquitous hits to cover. There is no "Out of Touch", "Method of Modern Love", or "You Make My Dreams." What remains is eight electro-chic variants of songs you've been singing for twenty five years. One surprise track is the original (albeit Hall & Oates-inspired) "Heard It On The Radio", a song that not only is in line with the covers, but stands up to the groove of those pop classics. - cormac
Released 03.23.2010
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Ming Toro - self titled EP Ming Toro - self titled EP (Bucket Republic) [upcoming shows] [audio]

With stabs of atmospheric guitar, Public Image Ltd. vocal wailing, and a single Sonic Youth guitar crescendo, at their most accessible there are brief moments of "Killers-esque" synth pop but with seven tracks in under 20 minutes, you will find many more proto-disco drum beats, deep groove bass, high pitched vocals and guitar/synth squeals than the brief ear friendly harmonies. Overall, a brief collection of DFA-inspired punk disco, a milder Brainiac with the hooks of Oxford Collapse. - mark
Released 04.27.2010
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Broken Bells - self titled Broken Bells - self titled (Sony) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Broken Bells is one of those genius collaborations that usually only occurs deep in one's wildest imagination. James Mercer's chill, meandering melodies are reminiscent of his Shins work, but they compliment Brian Burton's insane keyboard and production skills perfectly. Like a good producer, Burton (Danger Mouse) sometimes keeps his influence subtle, creating a psychedelic Shins sound on tracks like "Your Head is on Fire". When Burton's influence is a bit stronger, on tracks like "The High Road" or "The Ghost Inside," Broken Bells is an indie pop dream come true. - ashton
Released 03.09.2010
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The School - Loveless Unbeliever The School - Loveless Unbeliever (Elefant) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Holy twee! The songs on Loveless Unbeliever bounce off the disc. Just listen to "Valentine" or "Is He Really Coming Home?" These songs are so crisp, so refreshing. Try "Hoping and Praying" or "The One Who Left Me." They are like shiny, sparkling jewels. Listen to "Is It True?" or "Let It Slip." The School is a female-fronted pop band that equally combines elements of today's twee-favs like Camera Obscura and '60s girl-group inspired troupes like The Pipettes. - cormac
Released 03.05.2010
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Fang Island - self titled Fang Island - self titled (Sargent House) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Fang Island is described by the band as the sound of everyone high-fiving everyone, although the person getting the majority of those elevated hand slaps is probably the guy who puts this on during a party. It is the infectious sound of liquid awesome; its enthusiastic vocal chants are specifically designed for late-night singalongs, and it has more hooks than a fishing convention. This is an album to be loved shamelessly and to be replayed at the expense of your friends' sanity. - max
Released 02.23.2010
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Pale Sunday - Shooting Star Pale Sunday - Shooting Star EP (Matinée) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Pale Sunday are back with a new Matinée Records release, bringing another splash of sunny cheer into your humdrum life with just four songs. These Brazilian indie-poppers outshine their jingle-jangly competition with their perfect harmonies and guitar-driven grooves that are so deep you'll fall in head first. Don't think I'm serious? Try "Before I Found You" on for size. Fans of The Lucksmiths, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and (of course) Teenage Fanclub will find this EP to be the perfect summer companion. - cormac
Released 01.14.2010
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Against Me! - White Crosses Against Me! - White Crosses (Sire) [upcoming shows] [audio]

This being 2010, saying anything about a band having sold out is a pretty hollow complaint. They all sold out years ago. White Crosses is about trying to get as much radio and Hype Machine buzz as possible and little else. That's why Against Me! sounds like The Killers now. Well, they sound like The Killers would sound if Brandon Flowers had cut his teeth on punk instead of new wave. "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" might be popular soon, so maybe it worked? - sam
Released 06.08.2010
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