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Wreck and Reference

Black Cassette
Music Ruins Lives (2011)

I’ll say this, Black Cassette from Wreck And Reference is good, real good; in fact, this debut has a bunch of people really going out of their way praising this “record” (OK, OK I know this is either on cassette tape or CD but stop hassling me and just listen for minute) and for good reason because the band eschews … Read more

Long Distance Calling

Self Titled
Century Media (2011)

Long Distance Calling are everything that Mogwai wants to be and can't exactly accomplish. They artfully blend elements of progressive rock, post-metal and even alternarock into a result that works so perfectly that it's nothing short of sublime. They've had two prior releases to this album: their debut album Satellite Bay in 2007 and their follow-up Avoid the Light in … Read more

Have Nots

Proud
Paper + Plastick (2011)

Ska-Punk is a loaded genre. That is to say there are only a handful of bands who could balance on the tight rope most tend to fall on either side more often than not. So needless to say for every Clash record there are 3 subpar version of Less Than Jake as well. So when I hear something described as … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Protagonist

States
Paper + Plastick (2011)

Protagonist made their name a couple years ago by releasing a strong skate punk record. This is to say they brought back the glory days of Pennywise or Millencolin. Fast riffs and melodic vocals with a ton of sing alongs ensued. The band must have read the reviews because nothing has really changed. This is not to complain either since … Read more

Tenement

Napalm Dream
Hanged Up (2011)

Wow, this isn’t at all what I was expecting. With a one word name and the title Napalm Dream, I had images of guttural-voice hardcore and power stomps instead of Replacements’-schooled Midwest punk. Sure, I’d seen the name a lot in various Wisconsin-related shows over the past couple of years, but for some reason I associated the band with a … Read more

Pirate

Left Of Mind
Bird's Robes (2011)

How on Earth do you achieve a goal as lofty and vaguely-defined as “to break out of the norm and push boundaries?” Well, Sydney-based progressive four-piece Pirate aimed to find out with their 2011 debut EP, Left of Mind, which was created with that exact goal in mind. Whether or not they actually succeeded is a different case entirely.I'll admit, … Read more

The Cool Kids

When Fish Ride Bicycles
Green Label Sound (2011)

The Cool Kids return with, oddly enough, their debut album. Seems weird, considering these Midwestern boys have been in the game roughly 5 years now, but When Fish Ride Bicycles is technically their first full-length record. With a series of singles, mixtapes, and EPs under their belts, dating back to 2007’s excellent “Black Mags” single, Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish … Read more

Adrenaline Mob

Self Titled
Adrenaline Mob (2011)

Adrenaline Mob is a new supergroup featuring some big names in rock music today. The brain-child of drummer Mike Portnoy, the album also features names like Russell Allen, Mike Orlando, Rich Ward, and Paul DiLeo. Though they come from different genres, their combined talents are...Okay, you know what? I can't fucking do this. I just can't.Mike Portnoy is an amazingly … Read more

Sleeping in the Aviary

You And Me, Ghost
Science Of Sound (2011)

It was just six months ago that I reviewed Great Vacation. Sure, I was a few months behind the trolley on that one, but the fact that Sleeping in the Aviary has already kicked out another record, You and Me, Ghost, speaks to their dedication and work ethic. Or maybe Elliott Kozel and company just can’t put down their writing … Read more

Living With Lions

Holy Shit
Adeline (2011)

After their introduction to the more mainstream world Make Your Mark a few years ago Living With Lions went through a few things. This includes losing a bass player and vocalist and signing a deal with Adeline. In the meantime the band regrouped and recorded a new album. The big question is after losing members, especially a vocalist, how does … Read more

Farewell Continental

¡Hey, Hey Pioneers!
Paper + Plastick (2011)

Farewell Continental went great lengths to keep their members secret for some time. While not anywhere close to a secret anymore the band divorce themselves in a big way from their day jobs. While their main gig may act as signs of what you would get it doesn't quite prepare the listener for what is to come upon popping the … Read more

The Biters

All Chewed Up
Underrated (2011)

I’m a sucker for punk/pop bands, but not just any crap. They have to have it all: great tunes, catchy hooks, and plenty of attitude. The Biters are just that kind of band, with a mix of power pop and punk with a dose of glam thrown in for good measure (think T-Rex). This is the third EP from the … Read more

Anthrax

Worship Music
Megaforce (2011)

The story of how Worship Music came to be is longish and a bit complicated—dating back to 2009 in what was essentially a three-way dance for the vocalist spot. Some of the original material was adjusted accordingly or, in most cases, scrapped all together and rewritten, resulting in what is ultimately the best case scenario for long-time Anthrax fans: the … Read more

Sleepmakeswaves

...And So We Destroyed Everything
Bird's Robes (2011)

All right, it's time for me to flash my hipster / indie cred. I was totally into sleepmakeswaves while they were still a small band on the Lost Children net label! BEAT THAT.*ahem* In all seriousness, these guys have been on my radar for a long while now. They've already released two EPs (one of which is album length), one … Read more

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