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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Cremation Lily

Untitled
Strange Rules (2011)

Bar none, I have never heard a more wondrous take on the violence of Power Electronics than the Untitled (which came in an extremely limited cassette run from the label Strange Rules) debut from Cremation Lily (a mysterious act from the British Isles). Without getting into the reasons or “how to’s” or “what for’s” of my finding this tape, suffice it to say, this has been one of my biggest surprises recently; and, as a result, Cremation Lily sits in an almost daily rotation on my various music paraphernalia (no, I am not joking at all). Shards of noise, pounding industrial sounds, screeching, et al lay one of the most droning and hypnotically infectious just under ten minutes that you may ever hear and that is just in the first couple of minutes and then the mood and tenor of the sound changes from the frantic sonic assault to a more mellow and virtually serene aural pasture. Actually, this pattern is not dissimilar for both tracks on this tape as “Safety As A Womb” (where this pattern is more subtle but still evident) and “Funeral Lieu” (a more noticeable adherent to this pattern) find a way to both crush listeners … Read more

Yes

Fly From Here
Frontiers (2011)

I wasn't even aware Yes was still together at this point, let alone technically the same band. I guess as … Read more

Emily's Army

Don't Be A Dick
Adeline (2011)

It would be hard for Emily’s Army to disassociate from their bloodlines: Don’t Be a Dick is produced by Billie … Read more

Lake Of Blood

As Time And Tide Erodes Stone
Human Jigsaw (2011)

Lake Of Blood hail from southern California, yet are producing the kind of metal you'd more than likely associate with … Read more

Bandname

Breakfast
Soft City Records (2011)

Flippant is a word that popped up on the of Bandname's press sheet. Take their moniker into account and add … Read more

Various Artists

A.N.S. & Ramming Speed - Split
Tankcrimes (2011)

This is like a new school thrash of the titans album. Both bands have made their names being basically thrash … Read more

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One from the archives

Wraith

Wraith
Reflections (2008)

200 Words Or Less

Wraith is the latest U.K. export to hit my doorstep. Following on solid releases from Rot in Hell, Deal With It, and Dirty Money, the scene over there is starting to look rather promising again. While only a band for a year, Wraith has already built a massive following. And when you listen to this 7" you'll know just why. This four-song 7" is filled to the brim with a thundering concoction of metal and d-beat hardcore. The guitars are caustic, the drums are devastating, and the vocals are demonic. Wraith combines the best parts of Cursed, Tragedy, and Rise and Fall all into one. Wraith is a stellar debut, one that I keep coming back to for repeated listens. It would not surprise me to see this band end … Read more

More album reviews

Bon Iver

Bon Iver
Jagjaguwar (2011)

The fact that this album is self-titled is really surprising. A self-titled album usually represents and displays everything the artist embodies. Their most predominant musical characteristics, if you will. For Justin Vernon, Bon Iver is not his standard modus operandi. It’s way better than that.The album starts off with “Perth,” a really powerful introduction to the journey you will be … Read more

Devin Townsend Project

Ghost
HevyDevy (2011)

So here it is, the final album in the highly awaited Devin Townsend Project tetralogy. Three other releases have led up to this album, the culmination of years and years of work! Sure, a lot of the material released up to this point has been lacklustre, but that doesn't matter! This is the finale, the topping on the cake, and … Read more

Devin Townsend Project

Deconstruction
HevyDevy (2011)

There should have been no way to fuck this up.So imagine you've set out to write a progressive metal album, and your aim is to create a really light, jocular atmosphere while keeping the music heavy as all get out. Naturally, Devin Townsend is the number one choice for such a creation. Now imagine that you have a guest list … Read more

By Surprise

Mountain Smashers
Topshelf (2011)

Although the Indie-Emo genre has been getting over-saturated with new artists lately, there are a few that wear the title suitably; By Surprise are one of them. They take the sound and mend it into something that’s a little more adventurous, anthemic, and sometimes even quirky. By Surprise’s debut full-length, Mountain Smashers, gives us a bird’s eye view of a … Read more

Seabuckthorn

In Nightfall
Bookmaker (2011)

Seabuckthorn is the one-man solo acoustic project of UK guitarist Andy Cartwright. He's listed as similar to artists like Grails, John Fahey and James Blackshaw, but I hear him almost as an instrumental version of Splinterskin. Even though his debut album In Nightfall is only slightly over twenty minutes long, there is an unexpected amount of maturity to the material.Cartwright … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Grey Area & Go Rydell - Split
Black Numbers (2011)

After 10 years since their last release, Grey Area returns with 2 new songs. They’ve brought along Go Rydell—the melodic-hardcore up-and-comers who are fresh off their well received debut album. Together they deliver a powerhouse, 5-track split.Grey Area’s half has the band blistering through two melodic-hardcore, blended into pop-punk, tracks reminiscent of The Bouncing Souls mixed with Lifetime. The first … Read more

Multiple Authors

Heinali And Matt Finney

Ain't No Night
Paradigms Recordings (2011)

Much has been said about this project - spanning a vast ocean, two continents and many genres in between - so I don't feel the need to get into too many specifics about them. The two behind the band are Heinali, based in the Ukraine, and a composer of ambient soundscapes and electronic drone-like beauty, and Matt Finney, an American … Read more

Multiple Authors

Heinali And Matt Finney

Ain't No Night
Paradigms Recordings (2011)

This two person project that spans continents has gotten a bit more attention in the past year or so. Having released a couple of EPs online (with a small number of physical pressings) along with a few covers and a soundtrack for an art installation. All of these things give insight into this project the covers including Joy Division and … Read more

Mogwai

Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Sub Pop (2011)

Mogwai is a band that is extremely difficult to like. Though they are one of the cornerstone bands of the post-rock genre, their discography lacks a lot of the consistent strength found with acts such as Explosions in the Sky or Long Distance Calling. Don't misunderstand me; they have released some fine albums (Mogwai Young Team and Ten Rapid in … Read more

Taking Back Sunday

Self Titled
Warner Bros. (2011)

Taking Back Sunday were once the face of the new alternative underground movement often labeled as “emo” but over the last few years they seemed to have lost their footing. After losing pivotal member in Fred Mascherino and releasing the uninspired New Again, an album that met a negative critical reception, many fans including myself gave up on the band … Read more

Jesuit

Discography
Magic Bullet (2011)

Jesuit is the kind of band that your older brother (I would say sister, but women should hate this band now just like they did back then… for more information get a physical copy of this and read the ridiculously humorous liner notes) shows you when he catches you listening to some terrible pop or even the latest trend of … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Riverboat Gamblers

Smash/Grab EP
Paper + Plastick (2011)

When The Riverboat Gamblers released their last full length, Underneath the Owl, many fans were put off by the cleaner production and poppier approach. Their newest EP, Smash/Grab, was a return to the raw sound and more aggressive song writing, but offers something different by blending in a bit of Garage-Rock.The first of the 4-song EP is arguably the weakest … Read more

Attica! Attica!

Napalm & Nitrogen
Black Numbers (2011)

Before your red flag goes up, we are not talking about the "crab-core" group, Attack Attack. Don't worry; I was wary of the same thing. No, Attica! Attica! is the complete opposite. It's the moniker undertaken by De La Hoya and Marathon vocalist, Aaron Scott, for his solo folk-punk project. In September of 2009, he released his second full length, … Read more

Portugal. The Man

In The Mountain, In The Cloud
Atlantic (2011)

Few bands have the creative power, material, and time to put out an album annually since its inception. Portugal. The Man do just this, having released their sixth full length album since their 2006 debut, Waiter: “You Vultures!” For such little time between each release, lack of evolvement is of no concern. P.TM have gradually developed from early rockers with … Read more

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