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200 Words Or Less

Stone Roses

Self Titled-Deluxe Edition
Silvertone (2009)

3 disc release of their debut, which was 20 years old last year. Remastered by original producer John Leckie and Ian Brown, the original record sounds fantastic. The close to 10 minute "Fools Gold" is tacked on as a bonus track at the end of the first disc. The 2nd CD is demos, with one song-"Pearl Bastard" being the only … Read more

KK Null

Oxygen Flash
Neurot (2009)

You might not know who or what KK Null is (or his band Zeni Geva), but rest assured his twenty plus years of activity in music has given him the opportunity to play all over the world and collaborate with a variety of musicians and bands from Sonic Youth, Mike Patton (Faith No More, MR. Bungle, Tomahawk, etc), Steve Albini … Read more

Hayaino Daisuki

The Invisible Gate Mind Of The Infernal Fire Hell, Or Do You Mean Hawaii Daisuki?
Hydra Head (2010)

Now this is a shock, another Hayaino Daisuki release by which to have all of our brains melted in short order following this hitting our stereos. The band, made of most of the members of Gridlink (featuring former members of Discordance Axis, Human Remains, Burnt By The Sun, and others), plays a thrash inspired metal that constantly goes on all … Read more

Iroha & Fragment

Bittersweet
Denovali (2010)

One of the biggest thrills that I still get from music and writing about music is being smacked up side the head by some new band or (in this case bands) with a release out of nowhere or with their debut, and this release actually knocks it down with both bands on the record. Each outfit brings their own take … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Whiplash

Unborn Again
Pulverized (2009)

Three piece thrash outfit from New Jersey returns with this barnburner. In your face guitar riffage, pummeling drum beats, and punishing bass lines feature prominently on this record. These guys have been making audiences sweat it out since the 1980's-so you know they can deliver the goods. "Firewater" turns up the heat with a Black Sabbath type dirge that rocks … Read more

Laudanum

The Coronation
20 Buck Spin (2009)

Laudanum are a 3 piece band. I opened with that sentiment solely because once you hear what they do it becomes hard to believe. What Laudanum do musically is act as a noisey power electronics group that decided to play doom metal or vice versa. Everything is grimey, filthy and painful in Laudanum's collective world. This almost acts as someone … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Ryan Mallot & Kelly Thomas

Self Titled
Deep Elm (2009)

Deep Elm has, over the past few years, been relying more on their internet presence rather than being a label that releases records in a physical manner. While this is not a bad thing it is kinda sad. This new dynamic means that less people will be hearing this EP. Ryan Mallot is best known as the frontman of alt … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Gospel Gossip

Dreamland
Guilt Ridden Pop (2009)

Having never heard of this band before, I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised by the music on this EP length release. Taking the best guitar effects from 80's pop and welding it to a fierce backbeat, this one emerges from the morass and rises above. Lyrics you can make out and actual songwriting chops-absolutely … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Cheap Trick

The Latest
Cheap Trick (2009)

New release from Rockford IL's finest shows that these guys have not lost a step, and in fact, continue to reach new heights as songwriters. Will this end up on the radio? Probably not, but it certainly should. One song-"When The Lights Are Out" is a previously unreleased song from back in the day. But everything else is fresh off … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The City and Skyway

Everything Looks Worse In Black And White
Self Released (2009)

Being an objective reviewer, I will try and ignore the grossly overboard hyperbole contained in their press sheet. But this is fairly serviceable post-emo rock release from the mid-west. The guitars have flashes of hooks here and there throughout this record. The lyrics seem to have a very focused target on doctors, drugs, and the lack of healing in this … Read more

Sundowner

We Chase the Waves
Asian Man (2010)

We Chase the Waves is the second release from Lawrence Arms singer/guitarist Chris McCaughan. While technically his second solo release, this one is truly an individual effort, with McCaughan handling all the instrumental duties except for a few peripherals. His Lawrence Arms bandmate Neil Hennessy handled the majority of the production. Waves has a more stripped down, personal feel than … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Tommy Keene

You Hear Me-A Retrospective-1983-2009
Second Motion (2010)

2 disc greatest hits collection of Keene's work over his entire career. Disc #1 focuses on his eighties period of work. The most significant advantage to owning this release is having everything remastered here. The sound update is fantastic. Early crowd favorites like "Places That Are Gone" and "Nothing Can Change You" are here and should keep your stereo speakers … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Izzys

Keep Your Powder Dry
Self Released (2010)

Digital release available for free off their website. But don't consider this a throw-away. This Brooklyn trio offers up free-wheelin' rock and roll songs that will feel good with a cold Busch in your hand and a breeze blowing your hair back. "Under The Sun" kicks things off with a shuffling backbeat and things only perk up from there. 'Lost … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Echo & The Bunnymen

The Fountain
Ocean Rain Records (2009)

New record from the band blasts off with the first single "Think I Need It Too" and doesn't look back. Will Sergeant's guitar is prominent throughout, and Ian's vocals still impress after all these years. "Do You Know Who I Am?" may be the hardest rocker on this collection, with driving drums powering the song along. But the quieter moments … Read more

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