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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)

The Thermals

Personal Life
Kill Rock Stars (2010)

It’s very rare that an album can be described as “charming.” However, it’s an appropriate way to describe indie-punk outfit The Thermals’ fifth full length album Personal Life. That’s until you get past the music and listen to the story.From the start, it’s apparent that The Thermals are taking a softer approach than previous works. Themes of love, loss, and relationships are more pronounced and lend themselves to slower rhythms. The band has eased up off the gas to bring us a more mid-tempo, almost melancholy, opener with “I’m Gonna Change Your Life.” Hutch Harris delivers lyrics of infatuation with vocals that sound as desperate as they do determined. Rest assured, it doesn’t take The Thermals long to return to form. Skip to the second track, “I Don’t Believe You,” to hear an upbeat dance number with arguably the catchiest guitar riff on the album.One of the most appealing aspects of Personal Life is that Kathy Foster’s bass lines are more prominent. Foster’s soothing and clean tone takes the lead throughout the easy-going tracks, “Never Listen to Me” and “Not Like Any Other Feeling.” Before you hit the second half of the album, Harris takes charge again with “Power Lies.” … Read more

Picture Me Broken

Wide Awake
Megaforce (2010)

Here is a Cali band that has been performing together since seventh grade as a cover band doing Led Zeppelin … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Nazca Lines

Untitled EP
Stressed Sumo (2010)

Seattle based Nazca Lines have been garnering rave reviews since their formation in 2005 have a new three song EP … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Twin Killing

...If This Could Last Forever
Akashic (2009)

Well anyone that names themselves after Floorpunch most be good right? Well Twin Killing is. Fast youth crew styled hardcore … Read more

The Measure [SA]

Notes
No Idea (2010)

A recent SPB interview with Lauren Measure found that the band has released 18 pieces of wax so far in … Read more

The Gamits

Parts
Paper + Plastick (2010)

What do you get when you throw Jawbreaker and Alkaline Trio into a blender? One of the finest pop-punk albums … Read more

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One from the archives

Noises We Make When No One Is Around

the black box contained nothing but our deaths
Independent (2014)

Recorded under the name of the noises we make when no one is around (a name that aside from being wordy, seems quite appropriate), the music of Briton Craig Taylor-Broad reminds me not just slightly of the depressing folk-like music of American project Giles Corey. Though I could point out that Taylor-Broad’s material is rather downbeat however, I’d be more inclined to label noises we make... as being spooky and eerie, with androgynous, uneasy vocals being heard over solemn and mournful acoustic guitar strumming. Since the musical elements are so very low-key, it’s actually the troubled (and troubling) narrative of the singer and gloomy ambiance present in the project’s debut release the black box contained nothing but our deaths that makes the strongest impression on the listener. Without doubt, this … Read more

More album reviews

200 Words Or Less

Theta Naught

Omnium Gatherum
Differential (2010)

Theta Naught have holed up in Salt Lake City after playing together since 2002. Omnium Gatherum, their fifth release, features more than one hour of instrumental music across 15 instrumental tracks. My introduction to Theta Naught, "The Sixth Planet," feels a little too drawn out, maybe because the song is pretty violin string-heavy in its mixing, which isn't to say … Read more

Defiance, Ohio

Midwestern Minutes
No Idea (2010)

Midwestern Minutes is the fourth full-length from Defiance, Ohio. The band has crafted a sound that draws from Americana and Plan-It-X-style DIY pop punk. The instrumentation of the six-piece adds to their distinction. While the members split songwriting and lead vocal duties, there is a communal feel as most of their songs end up with a group chorus leading the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The New Enemy

Outsourced
Independent (2009)

The first track sounds like Kid Dynamite so right away I thought I found a new melodic hardcore band to fall in love with. Then there's track two...okay...this sounds like Quicksand or Handsome. The only way I can tell it's the same band is the vocals, which are far too gruff for this type of post hardcore rock. It's still … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Night Owls

Self Titled
Hex (2009)

Night Owls are a relatively new rock band from Syracuse New York. They have ex-members of some notable bands from hardcore recent past, but they only one I'd like to mention is Spark Lights the Friction who put out a great album on Trustkill many moons ago. Anyhow, Night Owls play rocking post hardcore that reminds of Quicksand boxing it … Read more

The Reptilian

Boys Life EP
Count Your Lucky Stars (2009)

Angular, discombobulated yet tuneful and melodic 90's styled emo. I haven't heard a band like this in quite some time and there's probably a good reason for that. The Reptilian is decent enough with their jangly guitars and drums that sound they're falling down a flight of stairs in time but they are also nothing I can fully enjoy. All … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Let Me Out & First Cut - Swedish Hardcore Split
Akashic (2009)

Ah, split CDs of two bands I've never heard of before. The bane of my existence. Anyway, Sweden's Let Me Out play tuneful melodic hardcore in the vein of early H20. There's plenty of catchy riffs and some decent mosh parts. I've heard a million bands like Let Me Out and I always find them enjoyable as the next guy. … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Through Trials & Plead the Fifth - Split
Crossface (2009)

Oh for the love Mike, I need to stop swooping down on these split CDs on the promo list. I am always disappointed. I mean I try to be all for new bands and their new music but Through Trials and the Plead the Fifth are trying to battle out for being the most generic hardcore band of all time. … Read more

108

18:61
Deathwish Inc. (2010)

Excellent! 108 is dropping their second post reunion LP (a feat that I think further proves their honest intentions of just creating and playing music), and dear lord this record is a long time coming (it took more than a year following recording to see the light of day); such waits can do funny things to a band that can … Read more

Iggy & The Stooges

Raw Power (Re-Issue)
Sony (2010)

"Raw Power’s got a son named rock n’ roll" Leave it to Iggy Pop to both boast about this record and succinctly describe what an album’s impact would be on music. Seriously, look at the cover to the album, and I mean REALLY look at it; get it out of your collection and look at it, and if it is … Read more

Killola

Let's Get Associated
Independent (2010)

Killola, a four-piece American So Cal alt-rock group, consists of Lisa Rieffel (lead vocals), Mike Ball, (guitar), Dan Grody (drums) and Johnny Dunn (bass). Their style is primarily 'Garage Pop' with punk and pop/electronica influences. From what I have been able to uncover, Lisa Rieffel is one busy girl. With her popular web-series Girltrash!, acting in different TV series (NCIS, … Read more

Young Livers

Of Misery & Toil
No Idea Records (2010)

With three years since their last full-length, Young Livers have returned in top form. Of Misery & Toil walks the thin line between packing a serious punch and being accessible. The gritty tones of interwoven dual guitars and wailing vocals are suitable for soothing any angst you might be feeling, while the impressive melodies might be just enough to convince … Read more

Tigers Jaw

Two Worlds
Run for Cover (2010)

Tigers Jaw are an indie rock band with heavy emo influences based out of Pennsylvania. Think early Weezer meets The Get Up Kids. Having already released two LPs, an EP, and a split with Balance and Composure, Two Worlds, their newest release on Run For Cover Records, finds them maturing their sound and producing one of the best releases of … Read more

Killing the Dream

Lucky Me
Deathwish Inc. (2010)

Lucky Me is easily my most anticipated release of 2010. When I first started listening to hardcore, Killing The Dream were one of the first bands I connected with. Over the years they have become one of my favorites. I’ve been practically frothing at the mouth waiting to get my hands on this record, but upon giving it a few … Read more

Rorcal

Heliogabalus
Cal Of Ror (2010)

Rorcal, from Switzerland, present Heliogabalus , a near-perfect doom/drone album. This record is so dark that the cover can’t even be seen on a computer. Hell, the music is so dark that some may not even be able to listen it. It takes a valiant effort to listen to a 1 song album that clocks in at 70 minutes, especially … Read more

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