Alternative Rock

Kaki King, Wyldest, and Fenster were among the opening Monday night performers at SXSW Music Festival 2018 in Austin, Texas.

'First World Problems' is mediocre at best, coming across like an amateur garage band trying to sound cool. I’m sure Sam Levin has oodles of talent. He just needs to find the musical vehicle to express it.

'Resettlement' delivers an amalgamation of prog-rock, alt-rock, gospel exuberance, dynamic stasis, and frictional harmonics into innovative, matchless music - like something out of a futuristic sonic factory, where wild residual energy merges with the digital.

'Don’t Speak' is gorgeous. The escalation of the harmonic progression synthesized with Arvesten’s rich, diaphanous voice coruscates with brilliant energy. Helga Arvesten is an artist to keep your eye on. There’s an indefinable flair to her music that’s captivating.

'Wonder Lust' is superb! The melodies are fresh and potently layered, while the rhythms sway with compelling dynamism. Tittel’s voice provides an easy listening experience, as well as just the right amount of persuasive passion.

Wow! 'Pulse' is surprisingly good. The melodies are lustrous and expansive, while the rhythms ache with splendid muted buffeting. Chandler’s voice is easy to listen to and rife with velvety sonority. I enjoyed 'Pulse' and recommend it to you.

'War in Heaven' is a heavy-duty album, especially for fans of metal. Original melodies, pulsing with energy and vibrating rhythms, are anything but derivative. Henry Metal’s voice retains a presumptuous vitality that works well, and his talent on the axe is superb – great shredding and ascendant riffs.

'Ok to Land,' Livingmore's debut, delivers outstanding alt/pop rock. The melodies emanate infectious pigments, as well as creamy smooth harmonics. And Moore’s elegantly yummy voice infuses an aesthetic finish both polished and exquisitely delightful.

Fort's vocals capture the natural feel of a live show on the title track. She also shows how the power of music can help people who suffer from mental illness.

In a marketplace flooded with reissues that are little more than thin-sounding cash grabs, this remaster is absolutely essential.