It's been a crazy month (or so) of work and nothing will snap you in the ass like a strong latte and and an awesome metal album. My best, most productive days are when I can squeeze in a latte (or 2) from my über favorite coffee joint, Blue Bottle Coffee, and blast this album in the earbuds 3+ times a day. Yesss. This is indeed one of those albums that will scare Phil or any other innocent, faint-hearted passerby, but it rocks my pants off. Lots of incredible musicianship, screaming, growling, high-pitched singing—everything a boy could ask for in this one.

I heard about this band a while back with their release Kezia from my old buddy Ryan but I didn't get into them at the time. But, yet again, Colby comes through in keeping me hip with the kids and got me hooked on this one. Thanks again Colby, high 5. Rock on folks...

My good pal Colby, of Jolby fame (that's Josh + Colby = Jolby) and I are pretty good about sharing music and such (he's also much hipper with the kids than I am and teaches me the street lingo, such as the word 'taint') and he recently got me into Minus the Bear's newest release, Planet of Ice and it's rockin my world. It's one of those albums where you go to sleep and then the next morning you wake up and realize one of the songs played through your head the whole night and then you can't even be functional until you listen to that very song. 15 times. You know what I mean? Check my recent songs over there on the left, chances are they'll be in there.

It's a really great album, nice and rockin' yet relatively mellow in contrast with some of the crazy hardcore stuff I listen to. There's lots of nice, atmospheric guitar riffs and I think the drummer is fantastic—they complement each other well. And then there's the song, 'White Mystery' which is basically like indie rock Barry White. Wanna get romantic with your lady, emo kids? Put this song on repeat, turn the lights down low and go to town. That's much better than Colby's prescription of speed metal...