It's about time.

CLOUDS are FINALLY going on a U.S. tour, with labelmates and Chicago locals Pelican, no less. I'd like to think this decision has something to do with Kenny and I telling Adam that he needed to do this for us when we talked to him in the Spring.

The final stop is in Chicago at the Beat Kitchen on August 24th.

Speaking of Clouds, expect the Clouds/Zozobra interview to finally be up sometime this week.

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Whoa I'm back.

Whoaaaaa.....

I haven't written a substantial update in this thing for months! I've been super busy, and the 18+ staff underwent some changes. I guess what's happening is Kenny left so now this thing is solely mine. Hope you don't miss him too much


I'm going to keep 18+ updated regularly. Expect record reviews, show reviews, music news and commentary, and general shit-talking.

So, now for my first post back, five records that have come out in the past few months that need some reviewing. Enjoy!

Shellac, Excellent Italian Greyhound
Shellac’s first record in like a decade. Obviously it’s awesome. Actually, probably their best work since At Action Park if you can believe that. Worth buying, even though half of the record is just a drumbeat.

Pelican, City of Echos
This sounds more like old Pelican than new Pelican, but is way better than new Pelican but still not nearly as good as old Pelican. Make sense? The songs have cool parts but they're short and kind of disjointed. What this band really needs to do is fire their drummer and start taking downers again.

White Stripes, Icky Thump
There’s not much to say about this record that hasn’t been said already: “return to form,” “more accessible,” “Jack White’s shinning moment?” blah blah blah. If you really care about this band you’ve probably had this thing for six months so why are you even bothering to read this?

Interpol, Our Love to Admire
I hate admitting it, but I really like Interpol. The problem is that their first two albums were really half-and-half. Half of the songs were great, the other were totally snoozefests. This might be Interpol’s best record so far: all of the songs are great and they seem to ripping off Joy Division and Bauhaus and lot less. But saying “a lot less” isn’t really saying much at all. This shit sounds just like Joy Division and Bauhaus.

Bad Religion, New Maps of Hell
I don’t give a fuck about how many dweeby 15-year-old skateboard pizzafaces love Bad Religion. This band has been kicking out solid punk rock for longer than I’ve been alive. The lineup right now is unreal too: Brian Baker of Minor Threat and Dag Nasty? Awesome! Greg Hetson of the Circle Jerks? That’s what I’m talking about! Brooks Wackerman of the Suicidal Tendencies? Fuck yeah, bro!! Basically this sounds like everything else Bad Religion has ever done, so it’s awesome.

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