Mojo’s Pick of the Week – Another Animal

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This one flew completely under the radar when it came out, and I would probably never have heard of it if it wasn’t for Spotify slipping it into my Daily Mixes. It knows me too well.

Another Animal was a supergroup of sorts — members of Godsmack, Puddle of Mudd, and Ugly Kid Joe that came together for a one-and-done self-titled album in 2007 during a reported period of writer’s block by Godsmack’s Sully Erna.

Calling to mind heavy, grungy acts like Alice in Chains and Big Wreck, Another Animal is a solid outing that deserves a listen.

Standout songs: Find a Way, Left Behind, Broken Again

 

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Mojo’s Pick of the Week – Usurper of the Universe by SÖNUS

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It’s apocalyptic terror, but it’s fun, fuzzy, psychedelic apocalyptic terror.

Hailing from the San Francisco bay area, SÖNUS is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and auteur David Wachsman, who has cannonballed into the stoner/psych rock swimming pool with his second release, Usurper of the Universe. Like an angry demigod springing fully formed from the forehead of Zeus, this album hits right away with a shot of hypnotic electric doom and takes you on a ride to other worlds.

Fans of Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, and Ministry will dig Usurper of the Universe, check it out today and expand your brain into multiple dimensions.

Also, I have it on good authority that David is putting together a touring band and will be playing out in SF and vicinity. Watch for them, this should be a fun one!

Standout tracks: Nuclear God, Usurper of the Universe, Amaranthine

Find SÖNUS on the web:

Bandcamp https://sonusrocks.bandcamp.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/sonus_rocks
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sonus_rocks/

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Mojo’s Pick of the Week – The Chariot by Valley of the Sun

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I’ve been waiting a while for this one, and it definitely does not disappoint. In fact, I can safely say that it’s my favorite album of the year so far, in a year with a glorious abundance of great new music for heavy rock fans.

Valley of the Sun somehow flew under my radar until they started consistently popping up in my Spotify daily playlists, causing me to inevitably stop and say “who is this?” until I was hooked. Their last album, Old Gods, is still a regular listen and frankly now ranks as one of my all-time favorite albums.

It’s selling Valley of the Sun a bit short to say they’re like ASG with more toms and less harmonics, but that’s not too far off the mark. IYKYK. One of the most intriguing things about VotS is how they mix it up just enough that at some point, you’ll inevitably check to see if you’re still listening to the same band, let alone the same album. The Chariot is no different. Fans of ASG, Freedom Hawk, and Mothership will dig this future classic.

Standout tracks: Sweet Sands, The Chariot, As We Decay, Sunblind, really the whole damn thing

Find Valley of the Sun on the web:

https://valleyofthesun.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/valleyofthesun

 

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