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Skyzoo

A Dream Deferred
Duck Down (2012)

After a few years of releasing mixtapes and collaborative projects, Brooklyn emcee Skyzoo returns with his second official solo effort, A Dream Deferred. The album pairs the rapper’s ever-improving lyricism and flow alongside bubbly and lavish jazz and R&B-tinged soundscapes. Production heavyweights like Jahlil Beats, Black Milk,9th Wonder, and DJ Khalil all contributed beats but it’s the live instrumentation—including violinists, … Read more

NOFX

Self Entitled
Fat Wreck Chords (2012)

NOFX haven’t mixed it up a whole lot over the years. In twelve albums they’ve remained consistently inconsistent, with a few records that have risen above the rest. Generally, they have a few real standouts on each release, paired with a few stinkers. After skipping Coaster completely, Self Entitled seemed like it was time to check back in to see … Read more

God Equals Genocide

Rattled Minds
Razorcake\Dirt Cult (2012)

I’ve listened to a pretty solid variety of new records this year, but it’s always nice to come back to something from the DIY punk world. God Equals Genocide are one of those bands—they could go on tour, struggling to get gas money in bar after bar, but they’d rather just drive the van to some out-of-the-way basement, plug in, … Read more

WAR//PLAGUE

On A Darker Dawn
Profane Existence (2012)

Minneapolis’ scene veterans WAR//PLAGUE have finally released their debut full-length LP On A Darker Dawn on Profane Existence Records. The recipe first displayed on their debut 7” single Smolder b/w Malevolent Winds and subsequent Attrition split LP with Police Bastard continues to evolve, albeit minor—then ‘n’ now comparisons show them veering in slightly different directions while still snarled up in … Read more

Luther

Let's Get You Somewhere Else
Chunksaah (2012)

Philadelphia’s Luther have been quick to grab attention. The band, formed just two years ago, has played on some high profile tours and just signed with Chunksaah Records to release their debut full-length after last year’s Siblings and Sevens EP. The new full-length, Let’s Get You Somewhere Else was recorded by the Bouncing Souls’ Pete Steinkopf.A four-piece, Luther play an … Read more

Pig Destroyer

Book Burner
Relapse (2012)

The news that Pig Destroyer were to release a new record this year was met with much celebration, a lot of shouting and a resounding “fuck, yes, it’s about bloody time!” chorus from their devoted fans. Pig Destroyer have been extremely quiet since the release of their last full length, Phantom Limb, in 2007 and along with the EP Natasha … Read more

Pinback

Information Retrieved
Temporary Residence (2012)

Authenticity goes a long way these days in the music industry. It’s most desired in any aspiring musician and sets artists apart from a sea of others chomping at the bit. Using primarily programmed percussion only toughens the playing field; yet, when your band consists of two members playing the role of a full gang, approbation is appropriate. Since the … Read more

Between the Buried and Me

The Parallax II: Future Sequence
Metal Blade (2012)

Following 2011s “precursor” style EP, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues, Between the Buried and Me (hereafter known as BTBAM because it’s way easier to type) continue their foray into ever increasing curiosity. Whilst personally I’ve never been a hugely into this band - they always seemed to err just on the wrong side of pretentious wanker territory - The Parallax II: … Read more

Ancestors

In Dreams And Time
Tee Pee (2012)

I'm not quite certain what the cover art for Ancestors's new release In Dreams and Time is supposed to represent, but one thing is for certain: it doesn't prime you for what the album actually sounds like. Depending on your artistic interpretation, that may actually be a good thing—but let me actually tell you about this odd album.In Dreams and … Read more

Turbonegro

Sexual Harassment
Volcom (2012)

Much could be said about Turbonegro from the Turbojugend (Their self appointed fan club), Their lyrics that tend to make not so vague references to partying fucking up and homosexuality, and their overall sleaziness. Well coming back from what had seemed like their final break up with their last vocalist Hank Von Helvete leaving to be in an industrial rock … Read more

Various Artists

Vestiges / Ghaust- Split
Replenish (2012)

So this is the immediate follow-up to the debut album The Dissent Of Man for Vestiges, sharing a split record with Ghaust (whom I had never heard of until this slab of vinyl came up to be ordered), and I distinctly recall being rather excited to hear this record based on how much I enjoyed the debut from Vestiges; but … Read more

Jodis

Black Curtain
Hydra Head (2012)

It is roughly 5:30 AM at the time of my finally getting down to writing this and the sun is just breaking over the horizon outside my window, and the Jodis song “Red Bough” from their album Black Curtain is just starting to hit its stride providing an apt soundtrack to my bleary eyed state (I have been up all … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Hidden Hospitals

EP 02
Independent (2012)

Hidden Hospitals, based in Chicago, IL, have released their new EP titled simply EP02 and it is an amazing release full of emotion, hooks, and harmonies. Nashville’s J. Hall handled the producing duties on this one as well as their earlier first release EP01. Being familiar with the group, he knows how to bring the best out of their sound. … Read more

The Casket Lottery

The Door
No Sleep (2012)

There was definitely a time a few years back (or ten if you are keeping score) where I followed (along with my wife) The Casket Lottery around the middle Atlantic states like some people followed (or even still do I guess) The Grateful Dead; during that time, we devoured every note that the three piece outfit saw fit to release … Read more

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