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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)

Mock Orange

Disguised As Ghosts
Wednesday (2011)

Mock Orange took me completely by surprise. They only just came to my attention despite having been a band for nearly 2 decades. Although, they didn’t begin to gain some exposure until their third album, Nines and Sixes, in 1998. It’s 2011 now, and they still seem to be Indie’s little secret after the Spring release of Disguised As Ghosts.The album opens with the mid-tempo number, “Grow Your Soul Away.” Although it lacks in being a very captivating opener—it’s a good set-up for the rest of Disguised as Ghosts. “Silent Motion” follows and keeps the same pace. The track almost feels like a “part 2” to its predecessor. Both songs bear the same formula and rhythm. Mock Orange change things up on the third song entitled, ”My Car.” A twangy guitar leads us through the verses of lazy lyrics, while synths and the band jam out what should have been choruses. “Sidewalk” takes a more folk approach—resulting in the most enthralling song thus far. Things get even better with “I Can Sing.” This indie-rock number picks up the tempo and features the most riff laden melodies on the record.Kicking off the second half of Disguised as Ghosts is “Feel It … Read more

Heinali And Matt Finney

Conjoined
Independent (2011)

Heinali and Matt Finney are a meeting of the mind's in a way. Consisting of a spoken word artist (Finney) … Read more

Dirge

Elysian Magnetic Fields
Division (2011)

Dirge, the self-described 'neurotic post-core' band from France, may have gotten just a bit big for their britches. Ever since … Read more

Isis

Live.05
Independent (2011)

A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly … Read more

My Morning Jacket

Circuital
ATO (2011)

My Morning Jacket’s latest release titled Circuital, especially because of the first single “Holdin on to Black Metal,” has been … Read more

Kingdom

Threads
Dead Truth (2011)

In a time where the only things that garner a hardcore band’s attention is how heavy they are, it’s hard … Read more

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One from the archives

Bulldoze

The Final Beatdown
Trip Machine Laboratories (2007)

The Final Beatdown is a complete discography of New York's kings of beatdown hardcore, thus the title. The release is comprised of a CD, which includes all the band's recorded material and a live set, and a DVD with over an hour of live footage. It's been over ten years since Bulldoze called it quits (they have reformed a number times and played quite a few reunion shows since then). It's rather interesting to take a look back at what the band was doing. For the most part the band stuck to playing typical groove-oriented New York hardcore. However, they separated themselves from their peers by including shit-talk lyrics and drawn out open-chord breakdowns. The band does mix it up with some faster-paced numbers, which are probably the best of … Read more

More album reviews

Janelle Monáe

The ArchAndroid
Wondaland Arts Society / Bad Boy (2010)

When music historians look back on the first decade of the 21st century, they'll no doubt highlight the dazzling array of pop musicians daring to innovate. Those producing music which both reinvents and creates, challenging conventions and spinning concepts and long-term constructions around their work. Except, of course, they won't. Pop has been sadly lacking of late, with depressingly little … Read more

Amateur Party

Truncheons in the Manor
Rorshach (2011)

There are a lot of names that could be dropped when talking about Amateur Party—in fact, I did so when I reviewed their EP back in 2009. However, the band really stands as a completely different kind of monster than the members’ other work. As such, I’ll delay the biographies until later. Truncheons in the Manor is their first full … Read more

Mauser

End Of The Line
Vinyl Rites (2011)

While eventually churning out some less than desirable material late in their career, there is no arguing the impact early Discharge made in both the punk and metal scenes—going so far as to create their own sub-genre in the process. D-beat, as it is aptly titled, signifies thick, lumbering guitars matched with an intensely repetitive drum beat, and shouted vocals, … Read more

Altar Of Plagues

Mammal
Profound Lore (2011)

Ireland's Altar of Plagues play a style of black metal so atmospheric in nature, that you can't help but be completely taken in by the sounds you're hearing and the thoughts the music conjures in your mind. Mammal is only their second full length offering, and whilst White Tomb was unquestionably fantastic, this new record is on an entirely different … Read more

Gangpol & Mit

The 1000 Softcore Tourist People Club
Ipecac (2011)

It’s a great thing when bands can mesh cartoon visuals with their music. It in turn enhances the listening experience, and Gangpol & Mit’s, The 1000 Softcore Tourist People Club, is quite the listening experience. This French duo created these characters that manage to represent their synth-pop music perfectly. Although it’s mostly synthetic, you somehow feel like you’re listening to … Read more

August Burns Red

Leveler
Solid State (2011)

August Burns Red have become the face of American metal over the last few years with their unique brand of metalcore, but Leveler is poised to redefine the genre all together. Tactically bending genres with ease, they’ve crafted a truly ambitious album of unparalleled diversity and precision.Constellations, ABR’s last release, had shown a tremendous amount of growth with a more … Read more

Isis

Live.04
Independent (2011)

A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more

Integrity

Thee Destroy+orr
Holy Terror (2011)

Yes, please peel my face off with the punishing blackened hardcore (that only Integrity can provide), please because life might be too comfortable otherwise! A new record from Integrity is both unexpected and completely welcome; so, having Detonate VVorld’s Plague (and the compilation CD that includes Detonate VVorld’s Plague as well as a collection of compilation, singles, and split release … Read more

The United Sons of Toil

Until Lions Have Their Historians, Tales of the Hunt Shall Always Glorify the Hunter
Flannel Jammies Music/Sector Five (2008)

 The United Sons of Toil probably won’t ever receive the distinguished honor of a 7.1 rating from Pitchfork, but anyone who has seen them live will tell you all you need to know. These guys are something to see. The ’Sons sound like a more aggressive Unwound, giving a sort of mathy post-punk vibe with some hints of chaos thanks … Read more

Deafheaven

Roads To Judah
Deathwish Inc. (2011)

When I initially read about San Francisco’s Deafheaven, I didn’t expect to be surprised by their recordings. Anytime I see the “black metal” label, even when citing a slight influence on a band, I instantly believe that the label is misused and have no interest in checking the band out. Unfortunately I am guilty of this with Deafheaven, and their … Read more

Death Cab For Cutie

Codes And Keys
Atlantic (2011)

With a prolific band like Bellingham, Washington’s Death Cab for Cutie, (Codes and Keys being their seventh studio album release), it’s impossible for fans not to speculate how their newest album is going to sound. “Maybe it’ll sound like Transcendentalism with some Postal Service influence!” “Maybe it’ll be like Narrow Stairs... but better!” “What The Open Door EP started, Codes … Read more

Isis

Live.03
Independent (2011)

A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more

Pygmy Lush

Old Friends
Lovitt (2011)

Pygmylush have certainly put their time in their scene their ex members list is extensive and well documented. Knowledge of their past endeavors would do little to really prepare one for what you will get upon listening to their music. Know for playing a mix of thrashing punk and hardcore not dissimilar to some of their past bands coupled with … Read more

The Reptilian

Full Health
Count Your Lucky Stars (2010)

The Reptilian come with little to no notice. The Michigan band has been around for almost 4 years now with only a handful of releases. Taking a page from the older school of angular screamo similar to current bands such as Touche Amore and La Dispute. Focusing more on feeling than just sounding "nice". The four piece keep each song … Read more

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