The best concerts in Denver this weekend

SAT | DENVER BLACK SKY at GOTHIC THEATRE | 12/14/13 December is a leaner month than usual for the number of metal shows. But quality more than makes up for quantity thanks to Denver Black Sky. This absolute must-see metal festival is being curated by Sherwood Webber, who, in addition…

The best EDM in Denver this weekend

SAT | MIM0SA at FILLMORE AUDITORIUM | 12/14/13 There is no doubt about it: MiM0SA is trill as fuck. Bringing a gangsta attitude to dance music, maestro Tigran Mimosa weaves in and out of his own original cuts, while dripping heavy bass onto some hardcore rap. His studio tracks ooze…

The six best female vocalists in EDM

Female vocalists and EDM go together like 1000-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets in a five-star hotel. It’s an ideal pairing. What’s more, the sweet, sweet vocals many of these ladies offer up are often times what makes the songs stand out. It’s certainly the part of the tune that gets…

What we’re all listening to right now

Music is life — or at least it is for us. When we’re not writing about it, we’re thinking about it, talking about it or listening to it. These are the things that were in heavy rotation for us this week. What are you listening to? What should we be…

Cryogen

Cryogen’s Continuum dazzles with studio production, but the band makes an even bigger statement by offering up intricate, melodic death-metal guitars that would rock on an unpolished demo tape. The album is bolstered with digital symphonic effects that add drama to the music, similar to the approach taken by bands…

Abandin Pictures

Fans of bands like Felt and the more twee side of the Church will find something to like on Abandin Pictures’ Who Killed the Dinosaurs, with its soaring dynamics and simple melodies highlighting subtle sonic textures and details. “Recess” has the kind of down-tempo, slightly melancholy vibe of Within and…

Lawn Chair Kings

It’s pretty easy to get a feel for what the Lawn Chair Kings are all about from “Zombies,” the opening cut on the Durango-based act’s third release, Zombies Wake! While the band injects a fair amount of Midwest gritty rock à la the Replacements into the song’s chorus, the verses…

Ibis Giant

As an MC, Ibis Giant is quite good. His subject matter is original and, for that reason, usually interesting, and his flow is old-school rugged — reminiscent of Jedi Mind Tricks’ Jus Allah. On Fatez Relic, you get the sense that he’s making music entirely for himself, which is an…

Eminem’s “The Monster,” featuring Rihanna: Why This Song Sucks

In his new column, award-winning goofball Shea Serrano, whose recent exploits include Bun B’s Rapper Coloring and Activity Book, writes about his life and times. Song: Eminem’s “The Monster,” featuring Rihanna History: Eminem did a freestyle battle. He went up against Papa Doc and choked. It was pretty sad. Then…

A. Tom Collins joins Atomic Music Group roster

A. Tom Collins recently submitted its music to be considered for a support slot for Reverend Horton Heat’s show at the Black Sheep in Colorado Springs on Saturday, December 28. Not only did the act land the gig, but it ended up getting picked up by the Atomic Music Group,…

The twenty best jams of Phish 3.0

When Phish reunited in 2009, the 3.0 era of the band was born. While classics like “Tweezer” and “Carini” still reap fantastic rewards, newer songs have been given a chance to shine and grow, be it through psychedelic looping or rapid-fire staccato rhythms. Despite what some may say, Phish still…